Griffin blood still runs through my veins

[BlackBedford]

G'day

I have had a fairly tumultuous few years with a lot of people sticking the boot in. You find out who your friends are when you are down. I have had to work my way through it all
I have driven CF's since my early twenties so that is nearly 40 years. My first drive was in dual cab at the Newcastle Steelworks when I was a trainee.
I bought my first CF to use as a work van. Business was good and I started employing staff. I had a fleet of CF vans and trucks and Kingswood station wagons. I ended up with a collection of vans and trucks behind the shed. Most had some modifications, none of which were Engineer Approved. It was a different time.
Due to expediency, I started using other vehicles such as Range Rover, Volvo, and Suzuki Carry. The Bedfords ended up all parked.
I have been trying to get Automotive Engineer reports on several of the CFs for years to no avail until last week.
The bloke called in on his way from Newcastle to the Orange Swap Meet and spent several hours discussing my options. It is early days yet but it looks like most of of the modified ones will be registerable in NSW.
I should be rolling again soon.

I did a bit of a stocktake today...
CFS van                      20 (7 with V8s)
CFS pop top camper   1
CFS truck                    1
CFL van                      7  ( 1 with V8)
CFL truck                    10 ( 1 with V6)
CFL 4 berth camper    1
CFL Dual cab              2
CFL pantech               6
That makes a total of 48

Oh hell, this is the first time I have counted them up and after posting I noticed my signature... 
It is when pirates count their booty that they become mere thieves.
William Bolitho
I don't know how many other cars are there so I am not totally bad. New signature coming.

[rumax]

So the question becomes....what do you call a collection of 48 Bedfords (besides a dam good effort).... I am thinking a dealership... Seriously, having been where you are and survived.... I have learnt who my friends are and who to trust... and they are few and very far between... What you have shared shows your strength and how you have made it. Get your favorite CF rolling & on the road and the rest will follow, just like every one has since your first.
Cheers
Russell (rumax)

[stuuuz]

Wow that is some fleet! Well they are addictive beasts after all..

[Bean]

Heres a thought.
We approach some one like Super Cheap Auto to sponsor a TV series, kind of like "The Block", 7 Bedfords of similar state are purchased from you and then there is a build off within a set  budget  to achieve the most radical van,The winner gets to keep his build and the balance are auctioned off and the funds raised go to some worthy related cause like development racing.
This way we save 7 Beddies and grow the tribe -?

[phill]

I like the Griffin blood thing, its no wonder with 48 of them and you wont have to go very far for parts if you need any thats pretty cool

[wendyh]

Yeah wow thanx for sharing your life ups n downs,  thoughts and also your love of all things bedford,
Wondered why we havnt seen much of you ...glad to see your back on here again!
Looks like you have been infected with bedforitius most of your life ehheheheh 😉😉😉
Mind you if we had a few acres im sure i would have a collection of beddies too!
I really like Beans idea of a TV series ...or an aussie version of  pimp my van
Someone nneds to document our fascination  of our beloved CF bedfords...
And it would be nice to have more road registered vans getting around ....