‘You see them everywhere’ was the slogan adopted by Bedford when advertising its commercial vehicles in the 1930s and it held true for many decades. The company set out to produce reliable vehicles at an economic price. Catering to the small trader with its 30cwt and 2 ton trucks, and 6cwt and 10/12cwt vans, the company was one of the leading manufacturers within its first seven years. During the war Bedford produced more than 250,000 lorries for the armed forces, such as the 15cwt ‘pneumonia wagons’ and the more solid 3-tonners. With a return to peacetime conditions, Bedford was able to produce new vehicles which it had been unable to launch during the war but regained market supremacy by 1947, when the company produced its 500,000th truck – the first British manufacturer to reach this figure. Bedford entered the market for heavier vehicles in 1950 and its one millionth truck was produced in 1958. Two years later the first of the TK range was announced and the concept of cab ahead of engine was introduced. This basic chassis layout has been followed ever since. The changes of design, use and loads carried in the course of 50 years of steady progress are illustrated in this book, which proves the truth of the slogan, ‘You see them everywhere’.

John Reed is a respected transport author whose other books include Trucks in Camera: Scammell.