CF Cab Chassis

[TomB]

I am seriously looking at buying a long wheel base CF350 cab chassis. I currently drive a Ford AUIII ute. As I don't have the need for a ute (or truck) 24/7 and don't like the idea of paying $800 plus a year for rego. I belong to the SA Vauxhall/Bedford club and have a 39 Vauxhall on historic rego (cost $115 a year - can use 90 days per year). Historic rego is valid for any vehicle 30 years old or older.

I would like to ascertain the correct year of the CF350 I have looked at. The rego (ran out 4 years ago) states that it is a 1981, but the owner seems to think it is a 1980 (historic rego next year!!). Is there anywhere on the vehicle where it will tell me. The only plates I found were next to the driver's side door step. Chassis number 97760 856602. Then there is another number which is on a plate which says General Motors Holden 97760G J571263. A third plate has a body number 571263M.

I see from this site (CF Facts and Figures that the 97760 designates CF, 35cwt, cab chassis.) It doesn't have a plastic bumper or square headlights, does this mean it is pre 1980? It does have a badge on each front mudguard which says CF350 (CF has a blue background)

If anyone knows, the info would be greatly appreciated.

[Dano]

Gday Tom welcome to the site mate, I would say she's a CF 1 as we call it , late 1980 prob around Aug/oct.(check out me dad's van-same dates. some do call it as 81 but I think from then on in they went to a squarer type bod.... enjoy, lots of fun times ahead

[TomB]

Is there anyway of telling what year it is? Surely they had some sequencing of numbers that can identify the year. Anyone know? The engine is a red motor with prefix QD, which according to info suggests Oct 74 - July 76 (At least as far as Holden sedans are concerned). The engine may not be the original anyway - so I'm still guessing.

If I posted pictures of the cab, would anyone be able to tell the year?

[BlackBedford]

G'day

You may have problems

There should be a Compliance Plate on the firewall that has the month/year of manufacture as well as the relevent ADR's. If that plate is not there then you may have problems getting re-registered. You certainly will in NSW.

I would suggest you contact your local Registry Office.

Problems identifying include:
Most CFs were delivered with 173ci motors that were left over from the car production line. A 202ci upgrade  was/is a popular modification by most owners.
The panels on the CF were basicly the same for each year model.
CF owners often swap bonnets and door handles off later model ones, so a visual inspection probably wont help.
Apparantely GMH dumped all of their records on the Bedford so they won't/can't help. 
1981 models are very rare so it is unlikey to be one of those.

I would check out the compliance plate.

[obsession]

hey Chris any idea of the numbers of cf vans that gmh sold here?         can u consult your spider gods 

[BlackBedford]

G'day

Blind Venison.

(no eye deer)

It was nowhere as many as they should have sold, and could have sold with some decenting marketing and realistic pricing. When new the CF was just an overpriced, under speced, profit centre for GMH.

[TomB]

BlackBedford, you mentioned that 1981 models were very rare. Did any of them have the metal grill and round headlights. I have attached pic of front.

[Warren]

looks extremely standard to me, except for the twin indicators, and I cant see the heater snorkel in behind the passenger side of the grill

Warren

[LS120]

Hi TomB it think you will find its a CF-1 as mine is an 83 CF-1 and the front looks the same (only single front indicators)

David

[grandad]

gday tom could you give me a bit of info on the SA Vauxhall/Bedford club  wouldnt mind puting my van on Historic rego cheers