BUGA Community
General Category => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Hobbit on August 08, 2012, 10:10:52 PM
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Greetings B.U.G.A. Community,
A Kiwi mate, and only other local Beddie owner, put me onto this site several years ago. I only got
connected to the net recently. I love this website, it's a 'Must' for anyone into CF Bedfords. So............
My name is Jeff, a.k.a. Hobbit, (a nickname since the mid '70s). I bought my '77 CF 270 SWB brand new in 1978 and it's remained registered (same plate no.) since then. I was even fortunate enough to be able to choose from all the options...so I ordered it in white, without the side cargo door. It's currently running a new 186 but has the original 3 speed box and a 3.5 Borg Warner diff. center. Jellybean mags were purchased new, as well as any spare parts up until the mid 80's.
This mighty vehicle took the punishment of 10 years carting band equipment, combined with 30 years as a signwriting work vehicle. A few years back, I had it painted and have continued to restore as best as I can (on a pensioner's income). I have always been aware of Australia's healthy
vanning scene and it's good to know there still so many loyalists out there keeping that torch aflame. My van came the GMH factory in Dandenong so I've got that link to you VIC guys, though
I can't say I'm a huge fan of AFL. ;D I seriously needed this website to give me the inspiration to
continue working on my van, and now feel proud and somewhat fortunate to own such a sweet
ride. It's mostly stock, but I receive lots of looks and favorable comments.
Will post some pics next year or so, whenever I get the last few things completed.
Cheers, Hobbit
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40 YEARS!!! :o
I don't know anyone else who has kept the same car that long. It must be due for it's long service medal.
Welcome to the site , Jeff.
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good one jeff.
well i hope to be able to say that one day.. owned this van for 40 years! awesome feat!
welcome to buga:)
seya round
ben
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I think you'd be going to say that you had a van for 40 weeks Benny let alone years!!!!
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or had 40 vans this year
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Thanks Jeff and Ben, It's great to be on board.
A couple of corrections to my first thread ;
I'm sure GMH still sold new spare parts right through 'till the end of the 80's.
When I bought a new gravel tray in about '87-'88, the Holden guy said there
were no more driver's door trims left, just passenger's side. He did mention
that complete bodies were still available though.
Secondly, I forgot to count the local Mr. Whippy van. That makes 3 Beddies
in Goulburn, for whomever was adding for the national tally.
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Gday Hobbit....Not a bad vehicle immobilizer in the passenger seat by the way!!! ;D
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Cheers John,
One little boy was pointing at us, while yelling "Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo".
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I'm just trying to suss out photo resizing.
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when clicked on size is good :)
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Cheers Tiwaz,
I'm still learning this techno stuff. Just figuring out best results for posting pics.
It's probably O.K. to leave them full size when uploading to the gallery, right?
I also should have stressed the necessity to USE A SEATBELT HARNESS FOR YOUR POOCH! Especially in city traffic.
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Hobbit
If you are uploading pics to your gallery, Just use the original files as the upload program will resize them for you.
Warren
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Cheers Warren,
I'll have a gallery happening before long, so that's good to know. Do PDF files upload to the forum board O.K.?
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CONTINUATION.......
I found an old pic of my Beddie when it was fairly new. The pic was from around 1980. It shows my dear ol' Dad with van dog #1 as a pup. The Ford Thames 400E (pre'65), came as part of the business, when I bought out my former boss. The Thames had a 4 cylinder Consul short motor and 16" wheels. It was the main signshop van for a good while. I sold it in favor of a second CF SWB van....A 3rd or 4th hander (at a guess), with loud paint, mags, teardrop + rear door + sunroof bubble windows, halo rack, bad deck out, a 186 (3 spd) and road diff. This one HAD the cargo door and was signwritten up like a circus truck. (Never did that to the good one - It was my car). I sold this van after a couple of years because it started costing me. Sorry no pics.
My white Beddie has always been my daily drive, through 35 years and 3 engines. No longer white perhaps, but like me, turning grey and retired from work. I should name it Gandalf, eh? Yes, I'm called Hobbit because I'm stout.
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STOUT? ??? Why did I say that?....More like short and stocky, I am. Haha. ;D
Sorry to rehash this old topic. I didn't want to start a new thread for these few pics, as they probably belong here.
'Introduce Yourself' always reminds me of the 'Faith No More' song, so I reworked the album cover
to suit. Here's a couple more photos of my van for the forum, while I'm still working on my gallery.
I don't mind showing my head on here, but didn't want to put it in the gallery 'cause I haven't figured out how to prevent pics from appearing in the image block yet.
Cheers, Jeff.
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Smooth and Clean looking van Hobbit, love the colour ;D
Warren