Bedford KB - 25 pick-up

The Bedford KB25 pick-up was the first collaborative venture between Vauxhall-Bedford and Isuzu of Japan in which General Motors held a 33% share stake at the time. The KB Series, known as the Faster in Japan and some export markets, was first introduced by Isuzu in 1972 in two sizes – the KB20 short wheelbase and the KB25 long wheelbase. The design was derived from the strangely styled Isuzu Florian saloon car and the KB series shared many components, this included the rear doors of the Florian used as the doors on the KB, the front-end assemblage and some dashboard parts as well as mechanical components. In Japan it served as a replacement for the Isuzu Wasp which was a pick up version of the older Isuzu Bellett saloon. Single and twin headlamp front grilles were used depending on which market it was sold in.

In most export markets, Isuzu sold the pick-up as the Isuzu KB almost worldwide, it was also extensively distributed through General Motors’ Chevrolet division in the USA as the LUV (Light Utility Vehicle) and in Europe by Bedford as the KB25, only the long wheel base version was sold and was introduced in 1976. The Bedford KB25 design was conservative and featured a separate chassis with a ladder frame and a leaf sprung rear axle, the front independent suspension was by A-arm. The 117.90ins wheelbase was similar to its competitors, as was the 90.2ins cargo bay.

In 1978 a short wheel base 4wd version became available in Japan as the Faster Rodeo, the vehicle was evaluated by Bedford but never sold in the UK or Europe, a double cab version was also made but was never sold under the Bedford name. Sales ended at the end of the 1980 model year when the second generation version was introduced. Mechanically, the KB25 was available initially with the 1.6litre (1,584 cc) SOHC petrol engine producing 80bhp and from 1979 a 2.0litre (1,951 cc) diesel which produced 55bhp. Top speeds were 90 mph and 71 mph for the petrol and diesel versions respectively. A 4 speed gearbox was standard with the option of floor or column gear change, Isuzu also offered an automatic option. All the KB25 pick-ups were imported fully assembled from the Isuzu plant at Fujisawa Kanagawa. The Isuzu KB was also built under licence in Chile.