During the late 1970s, General Motors’ famous Bedford brand was fading into decline in Australia, when their long-running TK series was replaced with Isuzu trucks. This wasn’t the end of the Bedford story though.

In the UK, the limitations of the TK and KM cab-over had been accepted by 1970 and a heavy-duty TM tilt cab range had been introduced in 1974. Although a trial unit reached Australia, the TM was never introduced. It was available in narrow or wide cab versions with an optional integrated sleeper and the choice of Detroit Diesel, Cummins or Bedford diesel engines. Top-end prime movers, rated up to 44 tonnes gross combination mass (GCM), with the 400hp 8V92 Detroit Diesel engine enjoyed success in export markets as diverse as Italy and New Zealand. 

The TL range, which was the long-awaited replacement for the middleweight T