Bedford Rascal

Bedford Rascal

Bedford Rascal pick-up
Manufacturer	Bedford Vehicles Vauxhall Motors
Parent company	General Motors
Also called	Vauxhall Rascal Suzuki Super Carry Holden Scurry Chevrolet Super Carry
Assembly	Luton, United Kingdom
Body style(s)	Van
Layout	FMR
Engine(s)	970 cc (59.2 cu in) OHC straight-4
Transmission(s)	4 or 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	1,840 mm (72.4 in)
Length	3,295 mm (129.7 in)
Width	1,395 mm (54.9 in)
Height	1,780 mm (70.1 in)
Kerb weight	755 kg (1,664 lb)

The Bedford Rascal (later Vauxhall Rascal), also built as the Suzuki Supercarry is a microvan that was developed as a joint venture between General Motors (GM) and Suzuki. It was sold under GM's British-based Bedford marque as well as in Suzuki form. Other names were used in a few international markets.

The van was produced at the IBC Vehicles plant in Luton, England, adjacent to the main Vauxhall factory (GM's British-based passenger car marque. Alongside the Bedford, the Suzuki-branded twin was manufactured for the European market (where Bedford is a less established brand).

Sold from 1986 to 1994, the Rascal / Supercarry was a small and economical van, intended for many purposes. The vehicle's strengths were its diminutive size and maximum payload weight; 550 kg for the van and 575 kg for the pickup.

The principal visible difference between Bedford and Suzuki versions is the front trim: Supercarry has two separate plastic headlamp surrounds and the Rascal has a single full width one with "Bedford" moulded in the middle.

Timeline

• 1986: launched
• 1990: rebadged as the Vauxhall Rascal, as the Bedford marque was being retired
• 1993: production moved to Japan, where it was made until 1999

Mostly sold as vans, pick-up and camper versions were also made.

Other international names

The vehicle was also sold as:

• The Holden Scurry (using GM's Australian Holden marque) in Australia between 1985 and 1986.
• In Ecuador, as the Chevrolet Supercarry
• In India – with a smaller 3-cylinder engine – as the Maruti Omni.

Typical specifications

Engine specifications:

• Engine : 4 cylinder in-line OHC, 970 cc (Suzuki)
• Power : 44 bhp (33 kW) @ 5300 rpm
• Torque : 75 N·m (55 lb·ft) @ 3200 rpm
• Acceleration (0-30 mph) : 9.5 seconds:
• Bore: 62.5mm
• Stroke: 72mm
• Displacement: 970cc
• Cylinder pressure: 13.2 bar (normal), 12.0 bar (limit) with 1 bar cylinder to cylinder difference
• Fuel octane rating: 92 RON
• Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
• Normal operating oil pressure: 3.0 to 4.5 bars
• Firing order: 1-3-4-2 (no 1 cylinder at timing belt end)
• Idle speed: 900RPM
• Clutch type: Single dry plate with diaphragm spring, cable operated release mechanism
• Friction plate diameter: 180mm
• Gearbox : 4- or 5-speed
• Brakes : discs front / drums rear

Measurements:

• Length : 3.29 metres (129.5 in)
• Height : 1.70 metres (66.9 in)
• Width : 1.49 metres (58.7 in)
• Wheelbase : 1.84 metres (72.4 in)
• Turning Circle : 8.8 metres (28.9 ft)

Weights:

• Kerb weight: 820kg (van) 760kg (pickup)
• Maximum gross weight: 1410kg

Loading abilities:

• Loadspace volume : 2.62 cu m
• Length : 1.89 metres (74.4 in)
• Width : 1.11 metres (43.7 in)
• Height : 1.23 metres (48.4 in)
• Loadfloor height : 0.56 metres (22.0 in)
• Width between rear wheel arches : 0.96 metres (37.8 in)

Gearbox ratios:

• 1st = 3.652 : 1
• 2nd = 1.947 : 1
• 3rd = 1.423 : 1
• 4th = 1.000 : 1
• 5th = 0.795 : 1
• Reverse = 3.466 : 1

Front Brakes:

• Type: Disc with single piston caliper
• Disc diameter: 215mm
• Disc thickness: 10.0mm
• Min thickness: 8.5mm

Rear Brakes:

• Type: drum with leading and trailing shoes
• Drum diameter: 220mm
• Maximum diameter: 222mm

See also

• List of Bedford vehicle models
• Suzuki
  • Suzuki Supercarry

External links

• Bedford Rascal – Information and spares