Hindustan Motors (HM) was incorporated in 1942 by B M Birla at Port Oha in Gujarat. Operations were shifted to Uttarpara, West Bengal, in 1948. Considered as the first company in India that stressed upon manufacturing vehicles rather than assembling them. HM, as early as 1942, began manufacturing Standard cars and Beford trucks at Uttarpara, followed by the Morris Oxford, popularly known as the Ambassador. Despite the company’s stress on local manufacture, it was only in 1949 that an amount of components could be made locally. Just about enough to help vehicles made in 1950 to boast of an amount of local content. By 1953, HM was one of three companies with proper manufacturing programme. This was important as the government controlled the allocation of foreign exchange. The Landmaster gave way to the Ambassador in 1957, after being in production for four years since 1954. With the Ambassador begun the eventful journey of HM in India. Production of Bedford trucks began in 1958. Fourty-six Bedford rucks were sold in FY59-60, amounting to a small per centage of the 27,518 commercial vehicles sold in the year 1960.
The truck was a J4 Series with the option of petrol or Perkins P6 diesel engine. The six-cylinder petrol engine displaced 4,927cc to produce 133hp @ 3400rpm. Maximum torque was 36.87 kgm @ 1200 rpm. The diesel engine displaced 4.73-litres to deliver 83 hp at 2400rpm, and 28.12 kgm of peak torque at 1500rpm. Transmission was a 4-speed synchro unit with a single disc clutch of 12-inch dia. Steering was a semi-ireversible worm and sector type. Suspension consisted of semi-elliptical springs (10 leaves) at front. The rear suspension had (11 leaves) semi-elliptical springs. The auxilliary springs contained 7 leaves. Shock absorbers were hydraulic in nature. Front axle capacity was 2,721 kg, and that of the full floating hypoid rear was 7,711 kg. Wheelbase was 464.16 cm (4.64 m) for J4E; 424.18 cm (4.24 m) for J4L, and 304.81 cm (3.04 m) for J4S tipper. Turning radius was 454.66 cm, and gross vehicle weight was 8,845 kg. Tyre size was 8.25 x 20, 12-ply.
A forward control design, the Beford J4 bus was powered by a Perkins P6 diesel engine. Fuel injection was through an inline, mechanical diaphragm type fuel lift pump. Transmission was a 4-speed synchromesh unit with a single plate dry clutch plate. Drive to the rear wheels was through three open propeller shafts. Brakes were drums all-round with suspended vaccum-servo assistance and moulded lining for exceptional anti-fade properties. Steering was worm and sector with self-adjusting ball joints. Suspension was semi-elliptical springs at the front (11 leaves) and at the rear (12 leaves). There were hydraulic double action telescopic shock absorbers. Front axle was a drop forged ‘I’ beam with 3,719 kg capacity. Rear full floating hypoid axle capacity was 7,711 kg. Radius of turning was 19.66 m. Gross vehicle weight was 8845 kg whereas the size of the tyres was 8.25 x 20, 12-ply. Chassis frame was of the frame ladder tye, flat topped with six alligator-jaw cross members rivetted by the cold squeeze process for extra strength and longer life under difficult operating conditions. Fuel tank capacity was 113.65 litres.
The J5/6 series trucks and buses were introduced in 1968. With a payload of 5-tonnes and 6-tonnes respectively, they had a very high level of local content in them. The engine was a 112 hp, 5420cc diesel unit. The front axle was rated at 3728 kg. The rear axle was rated at 8182 kg. Wheelbase was 3.94 m, 4.24 m and 4.55 m respectively.
1942
Hindustan Motors (HM) is incorporated.
1948
Production shifts to Uttarpara, West Bengal
1957
Ambassador production begins
1958
Bedford truck products started
1960
46 Bedford trucks were sold in FY60
