New Owner Introduction

[John Forbes]

Hi BUGA's. I've just purchased the red Bedford with the Starsky and Hutch style stripe on the side. The outside is in very good condition but the engine and inside needs some TLC which I'm about to embark on. It's a 1972 Bedford CFS. Model # 97370 and Serial # J343246 assembled at the Holden factory in Dandenong. I'm already having a great time maxing out my eBay account with new bits and pieces as well as books and manuals but soon the big stuff will start. Any assistance to my future questions is greatly appreciated. More soon. John.

[Gordon]

Welcome John !
You are fortunate to have found one with decent bodywork as that is normally a huge money pit. The mechanicals are much easier and way cheaper to sort out with plenty of conversions / upgrade options available. We look forward to watching your progress and assisting you with advice wherever we can.
Cheers Gordon

[Hobbit]

G'day John, a big BUGA welcome to you.

It's always good to hear from new Bedford owners. That van should attract some attention alright.
It was just up the road from me, but I didn't see it around.

Congratulations on your new purchase, now the real fun begins.

Jeff.

[Bean]

Hi John.
Welcome to the world of insanity,I'm sure that with your eye for detail and the belief that second sucks , you'll have a show van in no time.
A  word of advice if I may throw it in, Try not to skimp or cut corners or put a temporary fix in place along the way because once the van is complete you'll always look back and think to yourself - well I should have done x y or z and by then it'll be too late and too costly to go back to redo
Good luck with it and shout if you need anything.

[rumax]

Hi John, Welcome aboard.
Bedfords and rust go hand in hand, so for your sake, I hope your van is rust free. Take it slowly and enjoy the experience, Bean was right in saying do it right the first time. There is NOTHING more frustrating than having to re-do something cos you took a shortcut!

Cheers
Russell

[wendyh]

Hey welocme to BUGA looking forward to meeting you both one day as were just up the road a bit now..and we come to sydney often!

[John Forbes]

Thanks everyone for your kind notes of welcome. It is greatly appreciated. I might bug you from time to time looking for little parts for here and there as I do intend to put a bit of effort into the van. I already have bought lots of the workshop manuals and handbooks and brochures. I've also already bought a new windscreen (current one is scratched on drivers side), new tyres are on the way (Mastercraft Avenger GT's), new front grille (replacing the Ford one that is on there and going back to original), original inside door handles for opening and closing, original steering column covers, dash covers, brake pedal rubbers, door and window rubber kit, new B&W NSW number plates, bonnet badges and original windscreen wipers just to get me started. Engine and A/T will get a rebuild and new exhaust will be part of that.

One thing (well it's technically two things) I am looking for currently are the side door stoppers for when the side door is fully open and it touches on the front door. Would anyone have these for sale or know where I can buy it from?

Thanks again,
John Forbes

[Gordon]

Hi John, with regards to the side door stopper, its worthwhile noting that the standard door stopper sometimes no longer works if you have  an external side mirror attached especially if its a non standard mirror. Its worth double checking before you source the door stopper.

Do you need the stopper to fix the door in the open position or are you just looking to protect your paintwork ?

If its just the paintwork you want to protect a piece of old seat belt fixed to the inner of the door and door post works well as a check strap and you can work out the correct length so you stop short of your external mirror.

Cheers Gordon