I was reading the Bedford thread just now and I remember the first time I drove a TK (it was 1979 and the boss’ horsebox in Somerset). A year or so later, I got myself a job with a mob in NW10 and because I’d had previous experience moving antiques, I was despatched one day in early 1981 on my first ever removal - I was the driver and there was another bod with me. The thing is that I was driving MYJ 475J - it looked like a TK, but it was (I think) a de-rated MK plated at 7.5t. It had 8-stud wheels and a right-hand cable-operated handbrake that (was supposed to) operate a drum brake on the prop-shaft, and no discernible relationship between the Armstrong power steering and the front wheels.
I drove several TKs and TLs (and many other wagons) afterwards, but I’ve never quite forgotten the old dunger I drove on my first removal.
So what was the first removals wagon you drove? Be honest - we’ve all had to do it
ParkRoyal2100:
I was reading the Bedford thread just now and I remember the first time I drove a TK (it was 1979 and the boss’ horsebox in Somerset). A year or so later, I got myself a job with a mob in NW10 and because I’d had previous experience moving antiques, I was despatched one day in early 1981 on my first ever removal - I was the driver and there was another bod with me. The thing is that I was driving MYJ 475J - it looked like a TK, but it was (I think) a de-rated MK plated at 7.5t. It had 8-stud wheels and a right-hand cable-operated handbrake that (was supposed to) operate a drum brake on the prop-shaft, and no discernible relationship between the Armstrong power steering and the front wheels.
I drove several TKs and TLs (and many other wagons) afterwards, but I’ve never quite forgotten the old dunger I drove on my first removal.
So what was the first removals wagon you drove? Be honest - we’ve all had to do it
Bedford TK with a Luton! The only true removals I’ve done as an employee (as opposed to moving for myself or friends) were done with artics and garment trailers - one was in Holland and another to Spain.
oiltreader:
Hi ParkRoyal2100, passed my test 1952 in a Bedford identical to this.
Oily
Blimey, must’ve been a real test.
The one in the pic - would that be a Bedford luton in Luton made by Bedford in Luton, Bedfordshire?
I was apprenticed to a house furnisher giving me the rare opportunity in them days to obtain a driving licence at a young age. The Bedford was of 1937 vintage and was a good customer of a local garage . It was a great learning experience for me on when loading removals of how to squeeze a quart into a pint pot.
Oily
oiltreader:
Hi ParkRoyal2100, passed my test 1952 in a Bedford identical to this.
Oily
Blimey, must’ve been a real test.
The one in the pic - would that be a Bedford luton in Luton made by Bedford in Luton, Bedfordshire?
I was apprenticed to a house furnisher giving me the rare opportunity in them days to obtain a driving licence at a young age. The Bedford was of 1937 vintage and was a good customer of a local garage . It was a great learning experience for me on when loading removals of how to squeeze a quart into a pint pot.
Oily
“House furnishers” - crumbs, that rings a bell. Lots of department stores used to offer that sort of service (Bentalls I think was one). I’m struggling to think of names but I’m sure others will chime in. My mum had a taste for G-Plan furniture (if anyone remembers that name) - genuine pieces are worth a bob or two these days.
ParkRoyal2100:
I was reading the Bedford thread just now and I remember the first time I drove a TK (it was 1979 and the boss’ horsebox in Somerset). A year or so later, I got myself a job with a mob in NW10 and because I’d had previous experience moving antiques, I was despatched one day in early 1981 on my first ever removal - I was the driver and there was another bod with me. The thing is that I was driving MYJ 475J - it looked like a TK, but it was (I think) a de-rated MK plated at 7.5t. It had 8-stud wheels and a right-hand cable-operated handbrake that (was supposed to) operate a drum brake on the prop-shaft, and no discernible relationship between the Armstrong power steering and the front wheels.
I drove several TKs and TLs (and many other wagons) afterwards, but I’ve never quite forgotten the old dunger I drove on my first removal.
So what was the first removals wagon you drove? Be honest - we’ve all had to do it
it was the way they rocked after you pulled the handbrake on , and when the gearbox packed up , we could load a mobile home on , get back to wellingborough , push the mobile home back a bit , remove offending gearbox, replace with new gearbox and carry on same day .
tony
oiltreader:
Hi ParkRoyal2100, passed my test 1952 in a Bedford identical to this.
Oily
Blimey, must’ve been a real test.
The one in the pic - would that be a Bedford luton in Luton made by Bedford in Luton, Bedfordshire?
I was apprenticed to a house furnisher giving me the rare opportunity in them days to obtain a driving licence at a young age. The Bedford was of 1937 vintage and was a good customer of a local garage . It was a great learning experience for me on when loading removals of how to squeeze a quart into a pint pot.
Oily
Our 1937 2 tonner. Not one of our originals but purchased by me in 1977. We ran 5 during the war and 1 30cwt I was born in 1947 and the last was replaced and sold in 1952. I can just about remember travelling in one of those when I was a baby, but never had the pleasure of driving one till I bought that one. Din’t pass my test until 1964.
ParkRoyal2100:
I was reading the Bedford thread just now and I remember the first time I drove a TK (it was 1979 and the boss’ horsebox in Somerset). A year or so later, I got myself a job with a mob in NW10 and because I’d had previous experience moving antiques, I was despatched one day in early 1981 on my first ever removal - I was the driver and there was another bod with me. The thing is that I was driving MYJ 475J - it looked like a TK, but it was (I think) a de-rated MK plated at 7.5t. It had 8-stud wheels and a right-hand cable-operated handbrake that (was supposed to) operate a drum brake on the prop-shaft, and no discernible relationship between the Armstrong power steering and the front wheels.
I drove several TKs and TLs (and many other wagons) afterwards, but I’ve never quite forgotten the old dunger I drove on my first removal.
So what was the first removals wagon you drove? Be honest - we’ve all had to do it
it was the way they rocked after you pulled the handbrake on tony
Many a new driver (that’ll be me then ) would yank the handbrake on, let off the footbrake and … yikes!
We bought our first Bedford SB 1952 from Hills Petrol Hills from about 1960 started selling Bedford Marsden SBs immediate delivery as advertised weekly in Commercial Motor
DEANB:
McIntosh Bedford with Vanplan body from 1978.Some of those Bedford’s with 2 speed axle would crack on.
Cracking sleeper conversion.
0
This must have been one of, if not the, last vehicles bought by McIntosh as they went out of business in the late 70’s/early 80’s. The last custodian of what was at one time probably the premier removal company in Glasgow came to work with us in Pickfords in 1981. A great salesman who could achieve what seemed like really high prices for each job. Only problem was that he was a lousy estimator
DEANB:
McIntosh Bedford with Vanplan body from 1978.Some of those Bedford’s with 2 speed axle would crack on.
Cracking sleeper conversion.
0
This must have been one of, if not the, last vehicles bought by McIntosh as they went out of business in the late 70’s/early 80’s. The last custodian of what was at one time probably the premier removal company in Glasgow came to work with us in Pickfords in 1981. A great salesman who could achieve what seemed like really high prices for each job. Only problem was that he was a lousy estimator
. It was a great learning experience for me on when loading removals of how to squeeze a quart into a pint pot.
) would yank the handbrake on, let off the footbrake and … yikes! 
“lousy estimator”