The TJ may have disappeared from UK Bedford dealer showrooms in the mid 1970s, but other parts of the world were subjected to this archaic machine for a lot longer. Bedford were building these in Blighty for the export market until the mid 1980s and rumour has it that Hinustani Motors is still churning them out in Pakistan today.
Although this is the picture that adorned the cover of the 1986 African brochure –I’m not convinced that the photoshoot actually took place in Africa. That background definitely looks more Millbrook than African plains and I wouldn’t be too surprised if the driver had a Luton accent!
Check out the primitive interior. It’s hard to believe that just 20 years separate this and the Vauxhall Vivaros that currently roll out of Luton.