Bedford’s new normal control truck range, the A-Type, or TA (‘T’ for Truck) was launched in 1953, replacing the essentially prewar bonneted K, M and O-Series lorries. The new A-Type was modern in appearance and clearly inspired by American truck designs. The radiator grille had three painted thick horizontal bars, with headlights mounted at the outside of the front panel. The front bumper stopped in line with this front panel, making it look a bit like the ends were missing, although this was revised on later versions. The cab had a split windscreen. The A2 had a 25cwt payload, the A3 three tons, A4 four tons and A5 five
