Restoring The Gas Man's 1980's Bedford HA van

The Bedford HA is a classic van of the 1970's and 1980's and would have been seen up and down the length of Great Britain. It was a favourite amongst the utility companies of the time such as the post office and gas companies. The Bedford HA van was based on the Vauxhall Viva of the period and came in many modifications such as ice cream vans and camper vans ! So please share your memories of this classic van in the comments below
Video Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:33 The Fisk Van
02:07 The restore pictures
04:00 Fire Equipment
05:28 Trouble starting the van
Do you own a classic car?
We feature classic cars of all kinds and are always interested in YOUR story , so if you have a story to tell about how , where and when you purchased your cherished classic and the highs and lows of owning these great cars please get in touch and maybe we can feature your car in a future episode.
Don't forget to subscribe and become part of our classic car community, join in our blog on the website or check out some of our excellent pictures and videos across our social media hub
WEBSITE
www.downatthebarns.uk
INSTAGRAM
/ downatthebarns
FACEBOOK
/ downatthebarns
TWITTER/X
@at_barns
Thinking about converting an old classic? You can find the link to Nick Mason and his company eco classics who contributes to our channel below.
www.ecoclassics.co.uk.com

[@user-qu8ou9rl6z]

My first van on the Council as a Highway Superintendent 1980 onwards used loads of them, in Devon you could get right under the hedgerow when you met someone. Happy days

[@datbs]

Great memories 👍

[@chinnyvision]

We had one of these when I was a kid. It was shot to bits after just 6 years of local deliveries and got replaced with a Bedford Midi. That managed 8 years of the same job and likewise it was so shot to bits it went straight to scrap.

[@datbs]

Thank you for sharing your story 😊

[@chrishickman1589]

Back in the 70s used to work on the natural gas conversion work for William Press. They had in their fleet what seemed like hundreds of these vans in their fleet . Seem to remember them being very light in their weight/ steering.

[@datbs]

Thanks for sharing Chris

[@alandougan4534]

I bought mine in 1974 from a main dealer, it had come in as a px, it was a 1967 (E reg) in white with fitted rear seat only one previous owner was Times Furnishing, it was used by the upholstery repair man. Paid £40 for it, only problem ever (and the reason I swapped it later for a Mini) was rear spring hangar needed welding, couldn,t afford the welding back then. Big mistake, still we live and learn.🙃

[@datbs]

Thank you for sharing this great memory Alan, please be sure to subscribe

[@Col_IoM]

My first vehicle at 16 was a 1966 HA van, that was back in 1978. Great memories. Would love one today.

[@datbs]

Thanks for sharing Coliom

[@simonbarringer3415]

Had an old Bt van in 1985 HA

[@davespain7716]

Things have moved on in the van market, a lot!

[@datbs]

They certainly have

[@johnmontgomery9149]

Also a lot of police forces used them.

[@datbs]

Interesting thanks for sharing

[@johnmontgomery9149]

@@datbs Ayrshire Constabulary, Lanarkshire Constabulary, Highland Constabulary to name a few.
We had 3 batches K, L & M reg’s

[@ianford2383]

That would be tragic to put an electric engine in it

[@roberttucker805]

I was enjoying this until the mention of putting an electric motor in it. Leave it original!