Automotive Archaeology. What was it?

[was8v]

Found this up the fell the other day.

Has a nice view, but what is (was) it?

Wishbone and coils up front, leaf springs at the rear - perhaps a small truck?

Ladder chassis.

Lucas dizzy.

No sign of bodywork or interior!

[Turbobanana]

Not much to go on, is there?

Appears to be RHD (remains of pedals on that side)
No gear lever on top - column change?
Lucas dizzy possibly suggests it's British (no guarantee though)
OHV layout

stumped...

[Gary C]

In the Rhinogs ?

Thought it was an old WW2 Bedford.

[was8v]

No its in the north pennines.

Great work so far, its fairly short wheelbase, so not sure its a truck

Yeah RHD, steering box + column and remains of pedals are on the right.

[NMNeil]

Flat plate on the gearbox would indicate a column shifter, the distributor at the rear, and the 4 bolt carb mounting plate I'd say it's a Bedford CA.
Used as an ambulance, Dormobile camper van and even ice cream vans.

[hot metal]

It has what appears to be a boot floor rotted out at the rear, that would rule out a truck or van, large saloon or estate.

Of course that could be the petrol tank,

Edited by hot metal on Thursday 22 September 00:26

[Johnspex]

NMNeil said:

Flat plate on the gearbox would indicate a column shifter, the distributor at the rear, and the 4 bolt carb mounting plate I'd say it's a Bedford CA.
Used as an ambulance, Dormobile camper van and even ice cream vans.

Would a Bedford have had a Lucas distributor ?

[kev b]

My guess is a Commer/Hillman?

[was8v]

hot metal said:

It has what appears to be a boot floor rotted out at the rear, that would rule out a truck or van, large saloon or estate.

Of course that could be the petrol tank,

Edited by hot metal on Thursday 22 September 00:26

My thought was petrol tank, weird there's barely any sheet metal left. Would a petrol tank be thicker gauge than body work?

[was8v]

Bedford CA independent front suspension



Also exhaust manifold looks similar



https://heritagemachines.com/commercials/the-iconi...

[NMNeil]

Johnspex said:

NMNeil said:

Flat plate on the gearbox would indicate a column shifter, the distributor at the rear, and the 4 bolt carb mounting plate I'd say it's a Bedford CA.
Used as an ambulance, Dormobile camper van and even ice cream vans.

Would a Bedford have had a Lucas distributor ?

I believe they used Lucas distributors from 1953 to 1958, then went to Delco-Remy distributors.
In the pictures showing the thermostat housing it shows the temperature sensor and a square plug just behind it.
First page to show what I mean for the thermostat housing.
https://www.bedford-ca.com/Bedford%20CA%20Manual.p...
When you look at the oil filter side with the 3 core plugs and the pedestal next to the oil filter housing I'll say it is, or was, a Bedford CA.
Page 277
Even the block coolant drain is in the same place.
https://www.bedford-ca.com/Bedford%20CA%20parts%20...
Page 302
But right behind the fuel pump it looks like there's an engine number. Get that and the mystery can be solved