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 turned up in the post war years still with the thin metal disc wheels, even though the more common thick rubber 3 1/2 ’’ tyres were in use.

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.

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.

BEDFORDS IN SOUTH AFRICA (1).

Thanks to fellow collector Roy Callcut we can add another chapter to the Tri-ang Bedford story:

Hi,
I am like you. I love the tri-ang toys and have been a collector for many years .I like your web site its very good indeed thought you might like to see some photos of two old models which were not produced in England because of the start of W.W.2.

The press tools were sent to South Africa and produced by a company there

known as  'Jabula' They are featured in the 1937 catalogue in England but were not made.
The model of the ambulance is (as far as I know) is one of only a very few known to exist.
Do you know anything about them? Please let me know if you do.
All the very best  Roy Callcut

BEDFORDS IN SOUTH AFRICA (2).

My guess would be that Jabula entered into an agreement pre-1955 with

Triang where they bought unlabeled toys from Lines Bros England, and

then added their own labels. This was so successful that Lines Bros

bought a controlling interest and changed the name of the toys to Tri-ang

post 1955. ( I must stress that this is just my guess. We know the year

1954/5 is the change over date from Jabula to Tri-ang, but we don't know

if it was the same company or two different companies.

Either way, Jabula South Africa became Tri-ang, and that explains the similarities.

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