TRANSPORT AND BEDFORD SERIES.

After the early models came the Bedford range.  These were very similar to the Metal lorry range

( Early)   but had an enclosed cab. They obviously resembled the Bedford's of the day after which they were named. The range was virtually the same as the Metal toy series apart from the Caravan which was dropped.  Tri-ang was inspired the real Bedford W tipper

TRI-ANG TRANSPORT FOUR . No. 2784

The Transport Four has a simply operated tip-up body and was supplied complete with six cases made of hardwood with dovetailed corners and sliding lids . Fully enclosed cab and steel discs with balloon tyres. The quality of these balloon tyres were very poor.  Most of these tyres are perished.

TRI-ANG TRANSPORT SIX . No. 2785

The Transport Six was provided with a plated spring bumper. It was driven by a flywheel geared to the rear wheels, two link type tipping mechanism, and a pivot tailboard. This model was also supplied with the above mentioned boxes.

It seems that there also was a Transport Six  fitted with two electric lights. I can't confirm  if this model ever was made.

Bedford series.

The Bedford series had 6 models.  The Bedford's still had the thin metal disc wheel on these vehicles and this type of wheel is used to identify these vehicles as the pre war vehicles. There is a common misconception that any Bedford  whit this thin wheels is pre war but it is no guarantee that this toy is made pre war indeed.   However there were a number of pressed steel Tri-ang toys that were produced in 1950 with disc wheels as well as lorries with rubber wheels.

s.

1950 Tip lorry No 6164

1950 Tip lorry No 6150

1950 Breakdown lorry No 6165

1950 Breakdown lorry No 6154

TRI-ANG TIP LORRY. No. 2787

The Tip lorry is the most common Bedford. It sometimes came with a load, either with wooden blocks or a very nice set of 6 milk churns with the Tri-ang Tois logo on it. The tipper was made in various colour combinations. 

Be carefully with the milk churns they are leaded and not very healthy to play with.

In 1950 Tri-ang introduced the Tip lorry finished in blue .

GRILL.

The Bedford's had three different grills. A blank, a White painted and a Black painted one.

If you are missing this grill, replacements are available: click

TRI-ANG BREAKDOWN LORRY (1). No. 2786

The Breakdown lorry is very collectable and was sold with disc wheels  as well with rubber tyres. The chains to hold the boom in place are of a very bad quality and therefore often missing.

TRI-ANG BREAKDOWN LORRY(2). No. 2786

On some of these trucks, Tri-ang used a different wheel size. All Bedford's have a wheel size of  Ø7cm (2,8 inch)

Most of the Breakdown lorries however have a wheel size of Ø 9cm (3,5 inch)

On the below pictures you can see the difference and that Tri-ang used another wheel construction to fit the larger wheels.

TRI-ANG BEDFORD SHELL WAGON. No. 2789

Without any doubt, the Bedford Shell wagon is one of the most wanted vehicles in the Bedford series. There are however only a few of these tankers in a respectable condition.  

Pay attention that the filler and the tap are in place, if you consider to buy a tanker !

TRI-ANG VAN . No. 2788

For a long time, I thought this Van has never been produced. March 2009 I finally found the proof that this Van was really produced.

The Van has an adjustable tailboard and R. M. plates on both sides.

TRI-ANG ROYAL MAIL VAN . No. 2791

This Royal Mail van has a wooden body(...) At the rear it has two opening doors and R. M. plates on both sides.

FANTASY BEDFORDS .

The above models are the only Bedford's Tri-ang produced. There are no other models ,with one

exception ! During the war a company created a special War Bedford.

Some "restorers" were inspired to create their own Bedford. The one more successfully than the other. Take a look at these fantasy models.

Marklin Opel 370 sold for  £ 436

This truck was in auction at the German eBay as a Marklin Opel and sold for a massive £436. In fact it is a Tri-ang Tip lorry with a fancy tank. It has a decal on the side  with "Stadtreinigung".

This means city cleaning. The grill has a fancy Opel decal. It is a pity the seller never visited this web site. Now he has been (deliberately) mislead with a fake truck.

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