To Sell or to Keep? 1973 CF Black Betty Bedford

[black betty]

Hi, My Name is Keith and i live in Cairns Nth Qld..i just registered on this site and i have a 1973 black bedford cf van,made the same year i was born, when i first bought it i swear it was made for me,  it has a Celica 5 speed, hq disc brake front end, all round koni suspension, high way diff, 1 piece tail shaft, on gas with a 150 ltr gas tank, holden calai seats, 186 red motor, runs perfectly but the body is has rust so opting to get another shell. Can any one on this forum help or should just sell as is. How much do ya think i should advertise it for if i was to get rid of it? I have had the van for over 15 years and struggling to let it go. But just lately a person gave me an x posty 1989 auto transit van for free with a 2 ltr cosworth engine in it and the body is in great condition it just needs a head gasket. So now i have to vans in the drive way and need to make a decision asap. If you could please give me some direction that would be greatly appreciated..Or if you know of anyone who has Bedfords or parts in nth qld that i could contact then i can try and sort out my dilemma..

The black bedy can reach speeds  of 140klms with the celica 5 spd and highway diff with out screaming its head awf, its does not get hot in the cab because its on gas, the running gear is awesome and i know it will run for another 37 years and its a comfortable cruise with the all round adjustable koni suspension.  It would be a great grab/buy for any one who can repair rust or has another shell. I would be happy to buy another shell if its close buy, but  if not i will probably have to sell it as i live in a share house and have taken over the  double garage. I cant keep looking at it and visioning all the things i could do for her beer after beer..So now i have to sober up and do something about it. 

[hotrod]

Gidday Keith

Photos, we all get off on photos

[Bedfordcrazy]

hey keith, i second the photos. But to your problem, mate if you love the way it runs, then i would spend the money and fix it up, i suspect that you may regret getting rid of it. If it is not your principle ride, then take the time to fix it up and you will not regret it. But this is coming from someone that was offered 8grand for his van, unreg and surface rust, and in a wheelchair and debt, and i said  NO and let me tell you, it sat in my garage for 7yrs till i was able to work on it again. But I also am a bedford van fanatic,  so i guess if you are not as passionate and as fanatical as this then consider what is best for you. So how about some pics. 

george

[petrolhead]

Yes to pic's & the easy way to solve your problem is to Flog the huck pher(me spitting) Transit or wreck it(those Cossies go for big bucks) then INVEST the money in fixing up the Beddie or better still, if your a hands on type of guy put yourself through Tech., buy yourself some equipment and do it yourself, you might enjoy it, but if you sell it I can guarantee you will regret it
Regards
Petrolhead
P.S. Was I subtle enough?

[gazza]

no problem  no contest sell transit  keep beddie  i,d prefer a rusty beddy than a new tranny DECIDE the right van

[ben]

is your beddy already regoed in your name? cause thats one less thing youd have to worry about.


i think it was a bit of a silly question to ask on a bedford forum.. should i rid the beddy or  rid the transit?

common man transits are dog ugly! they attract attention cause they are so ugly! and they are ugly and ugly! RID THE TRANSIT.

[jimmyfreak]

second that, and i don't own a beddy......


YET

[petrolhead]

Third that & I'm a Ford lover(not Transits!)
Regards
Petrolhead

[Warren]

Of course the bias would be to get rid of the Transit and Keep the beddy - it is a bedford site after all

We don't have any pictures to go by how bad your rust is, but Petrol heads suggestion about going to TAFE and aquiring the skills to do the panel repairs yourself is a good one.

Beddys are BETTER.

Warren   

[ohmyGOODness]

hi Keith !! Ying here, i'm in Julatten Port Douglas Hinterland.
would you feel better about selling black betty if she went to a "good home" ?? so to speak...
i am wanting to start up a new business - selling pure fruit ice creams and other delectable home made fruit -based desserts, using all local produce organic where possible, out of a funky Bedford all painted up in retro-hippie style , playing good music as we are selling our happy refreshments in markets, festivals, and functions.

The van i was looking at to buy ... well someone pipped me at the post and he sounded dodgy too anyway...

so what do u reckon?

hi to everyone too!! i'm new here. and the Bedfords are a new discovery for me and i am so in love with them already