When I was first told of Keith Abraham’s immaculate 1948 KD Bedford 30cwt flatbed coal lorry, I thought I could remember seeing it before. I was right – I’d snapped it four years ago alongside a 1937 model of the same marque while at the West of England Rally.

The older model was sold on, following some 15-years of ownership during which time it had been given the full treatment. Keith was saving this pre-war beauty for his grandson but the young lad’s interests lay in motorcycling so she was put on the market. Because of Keith’s reputation, she was sold immediately. The only consolation being that the little Bedford was going to a good home.

Cornishman Keith bought his current pride and joy in restored condition and only needed a really good paint-job, sign-written in his livery, to complete its total transformation. So proud is he of this little Bedford that she only goes out on highdays and holidays, and then only if the weather forecast is favourable.

Apart from routine maintenance, she is waxed twice a year and then returned gleaming to her own shed. Although the lorry paintwork was completed 15-years ago it looks as good as the day it was painted. This fastidious attitude extends to Keith’s coal delivery business, where there is a place for everything and everything is in its place – the whole yard, which incidentally he has owned since 1971, does him great credit.

LCV 9 came into Keith’s possession during 1982 and is a real West Country resident, having only been out of Cornwall once in its life, and that was only into Devon. She was new to a Newlyn Fish Merchant before going into the ownership of a timber yard, making local small deliveries. Gary Gaull was the next owner who performed the restoration work before selling it to Keith. The total recorded mileage for this little gem is only 24,000 miles, yes 24k.

I am very grateful for Keith taking the Beford to his coalyard for the photoshoot, the fruits of which, I hope you all enjoy as much as I did.

Roger Hamlin