Left For Dead? 1991 Vauxhall Rascal revival! Can I Get This Retro Icon Up and Running? PART 1!

[@jasonweston1273]

Years ago one of these was used daily to run from leicester to birmingham whole sale loaded to the rafters with fruit/veg always reliable they simply do not make them like this anymore engines are bullet proof this deserves to be fully restored regardless of expense👍.

[@citizenerased1992]

Funnily enough they actually do...these vans are still in production in Uzbekistan and are common workhorses there (along with daewoo matizs as the most popular car!)

[@GT380man]

Is that a Suzuki engine or an (I) Suzu? The casting on the valve cover said Suzu, if my eyes don’t deceive me.

[@MrManBuzz]

​@@GT380man These vans are literally just rebadged Suzuki Carrys, so yeah, you did see Suzuki.

[@Stephen-dw5sl]

One of the most satisfying power washings I have seen in a while. Thank you!

[@tastyclassics]

Thanks Stephen it was a real joy to do

[@johnlea8519]

I was a pest control officer and dog warden for a local council in Herefordshire in 1986 and they asked me to pick a suitable vehicle for the job, I chose the Rascal and really enjoyed driving it. I also owned a Suzuki 410 too. I watched the whole video and enjoyed every minute.

[@ForgottenLore]

Great choice.

[@stephenbibby8650]

OMG that brings back so many memories. I bought a Bedford Rascal from new back in 1989 for my carpet cleaning business. I loved that little van it was such fun to drive. I’ve had much more expensive and sophisticated vehicles since then but the little Rascal is still one of my all time favourites.

[@Norfolkonsea]

Got to agree with you there, had a 1988 Rascal in the early days of my carpet cleaning business in 1990, loved that little van, bought a new Daihatsu Hijet late 90's and absolutely hated it! Retired from the business in 2020 after 30 years.

[@EZ-D-FIANT]

Yea I had a Bedford they used to fit between standers bollards (I think thats what their called, the black post things) so you could get them almost anywhere, very handy lil vans....

[@keith800]

Yes I had one in the 90's for courier work ,I loved my little van like driving a scaled down tractor unit ,great little thing best thing ever made.

[@RajKumarSharma-hq8zy]

I use to drive a fait 1200 it was italian very nice to drive

[@RajKumarSharma-hq8zy]

In india

[@stephensharrock]

Best 1 hour 55mins and 15 seconds I have spent on a Sunday morning in the last 15 years 😁😁 Keep them coming Ben you'll be up to a million subscribers by christmas Pal

[@tastyclassics]

Haha cheers mate! I hope so!

[@michaelgargaro]

I bought one of these about 98. It was mint condish! First job put a box of coving (3meters) between the seats and on to the dash then closed the tailgate and punched it through the windscreen! Loved that van. Love the vid.

[@ultraviolettp3446]

Wonderful video and project vehicle. I think the appeal of these vehicles is their simplicity. I had a 1990 Ford Festiva - it wasn't the best car I've ever owned, but it was one of those cars that always put a smile on your face driving it. It was like a go-kart. It could go anywhere because it was so tiny. The room inside was amazing. I miss that car. Discovered your channel this past week and love it!

[@EZ-D-FIANT]

Gonna watch this tonight but I used to have a Bedford rascal and loved it, it used to fit between the old bollards you used to get all over England, very handy lil vans.....👌👍

[@DanLTjoe]

My dad had one of these which he loved very much!☺️ He owned it from 1996-2008... a while! It was beige and the reg was F403 XUH ☺️

[@sean640307]

Sold here in Australia as the Suzuki Carry. Great little Kei vans :)

[@TheCaptainSparky]

My late grandfather and that side of the family had a fleet of these under the Bedford guise as milk-floats when I was a kid, I've always wanted a rascal van. I've got a picture on my desk of him stood proudly next to his rascal freshly washed! Love this, keep it up.

[@peterfrazer1943]

Just found this Channel and subscribed. I am only half way through but there is something about bringing these old Girls back to life that is so satisfying. When it started and moved, I nearly choked up. Brilliant vlog, even if it does not end well, cross my fingers.

[@SledTillDead]

That WTF moment at the inhuman foot angle was pure comedy gold. Me and the wife couldn't stop laughing, we noticed it too, just moments before the "wtf"

[@tastyclassics]

🤣🤣🤣 it shocked me when I was editing it

[@jagolago-bob]

@@tastyclassics I suspect you studied ballet as a young lad. You have the figure for it.

[@dafdaffer1]

i've owned 5 of these, the first was my Grandads demountable camper,(Romahome) it had a removable fibreglass pod that could come off on stilts and be just a pick up this was a suzuki carry. then i had two Bedford rascal coachbuilt motorhomes (Bambi) then two bedford vans, they were brilliant i even took one up porlock hill. if expanding families wouldn't have happened i would still have one today. thanks for the trip down memory lane Great video.

[@richardlytton]

I had a bedford rascal on an E plate, and kept it for 9 years, until it was 10 years old, and had done 120000 miles. I did simple maintenance myself, because it was so easy to do. The van was so practical, and easy, and fun, to drive and park. People should start demanding that new cars should return to being fun to drive. I haven't given up on vehicles of this design. I now drive a 2011 subaru sambar, (660cc 4 cylinder petrol engine), imported from Japan. Sadly, that'll probably be my last car, or van, of this type. Hopefully, it'll last for another 10 years. Thanks for the video, which brought back memories

[@glennoc8585]

I had a sambar the earlier 550cc version 89 yr. Built two houses using it for fetch and carry. 4wd mode was fantastic

[@habsom1406]

I'd give that friend of yours a wide berth next time he calls, or accidentally on purpose drop the phone in a bucket of 10w/40. But seriously, your hard work has paid off, this Rascal has been transformed, you can hardly see any holes now, it's positively indistinguishable from new, I think most came with rust as standard from the factory! 😁

[@tastyclassics]

Haha i'm sure it'll pass it's MOT first time!

[@clansman66]

Loved this, there were a batch of Rascals that were turned into a promotional huge fibreglass creme egg for use by Cadbury back in the 90s.

[@cloudninephoto]

I have a soft spot for these vans. Drove one for a firm in the early 90’s. Loved it. Called it the puddle jumper 😂.

[@utilitarian]

That is brilliant. I'd forgotten all about the Vauxhall Rascal. The vehicle of choice for many tradesmen in the 90's. I'd love to see a full restoration on this - lovely

[@markpirateuk]

I had one of these for 14 years, great little van, also had the Bambi motorhome version as well, miles better than anything modern, as very little to go wrong!

[@MrMarksdaniels]

FYI some manual chokes have to be turned to hold them out, I can see a couple of arrows on the choke knob that indicate this.

[@arthurkettle3010]

Great episode.... satisfying, entertaining, funny....much like the channel itself. Keep it up Ben.... you're turning into one if the best car channels on KZbin 👌👍👊

[@ianmorris7121]

I had one of these as a company van back in the late 80's.... Cracking little van and "heated seats" for free lol.... Great video...

[@tastyclassics]

Good point! probably get a bit warm in the summer haha

[@Compliment_Thief]

Yes mate, lights working!

[@keith800]

Love to see this van fully restored they were so versatile and many variants even a 4X4 one and even a ambulance version quite a future classic vehicle .

[@DChomebrewery]

They were made in Luton at the old Bedford van site at the time IBC vehicles which stood for Isuzu bedford commercials. There was also a pickup version of the van and its bigger brother the Midi van.

[@chinnyvision]

We had a Midi. The benefit of the engine under the middle seat was the cabin was always cosy in winter. However in Summer.......

[@stuggy6077]

I spent roughly 15 years working for amy local council doing Clean Surrounds,m grass cutting etc but they had a fleet of rascles that we used to use litter picking the local parks, great fun as fit on a pavement, the open backs are great fun in the wet aswell. Made me sub watching this as left council 10 years ago so dont get ta see much of them now.

[@tastyclassics]

Definitely a van that used to be everywhere and now isn't, fit on a pavement! love it!

[@stuggy6077]

@@tastyclassics Yeah I had lots of fun in them back in the day, great fun in the wet as get them going sideways/driffting around corners, an yeah being on council at time was accepted that we drove on pavements to get to empty bins or just for a Jolly 😁🤣🤣

[@100SteveB]

Fun little van! Back in the 80's i hired a few of the Rascal's older brother the Midi, they were also great things to drive. I agree with you, this little one needs to go back on the road some day. It's Febuary 24 when I am writing this, and a quick mot check tells us that whilst it's not been presented for another Mot yet, the little thing is still showing on the data base, so she's not been sent to the breakers. So hopefully she is getting all the body work sorted somewhere.

[@Ricardoteh345rd]

When you said "the reason I got this battery" i was expecting you to say "because it has the go handle" from a very popular KZbin channel from the US. But loving the rascal video used to drive one of these a pickup version it was loads of fun to drive though we tried to get the back end up in the air

[@Cavalier_Steve]

Hahaha yeah me to 😂

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

Vice Grip Garage eh. Not to mention the lightning whirler and ice cube juice lol

[@ZerokillerOppel1]

Just say you mean Derek from VCC! You won't get cancelled for that!! That's all fac'tree...bring the thunder!!!

[@justinobrien3593]

the rear lights are vauxhall corsa merit saloon lights as they look identical to them!

[@justinobrien3593]

quite rare now these 1990s bedford sooty vans in the uk!!!

[@4RingsRetro]

Love finding a new channel to binge. Your sense of humour is spot on mate. Looking forward to discovering more of your videos 👍🏻

[@tastyclassics]

Haha thanks mate! Hopefully get plenty more out to watch soon

[@DDLovett]

Looking forward to part 2 Ben. Ive been mooching around facebook marketplace tonight and saw a 2010 bmw 740i which wont start for less than 3 grand. Christ, only 14 years ago that car would have cost more than my first house cost. My first thought was, i bet Ben would have that running and off to the ring in no time.

[@glynmoore3730]

I had a Bedford Rascal as a "motorized wheelbarrow" some years ago to clear a plot of land of paving slabs, pebbles and buildings and it was fantastic. I've also had it's Subaru equivalent. Both were amazing.

[@SkinweedCorp]

I really want to find a subbie version just so I can say I drive a suburu and give any wannabe passengers a shock

[@TheRattyBiker]

Mate this is the first video I've seen from your channel... All the charm of Junkyard Digs with the explanations of Ed China combined with some good old British grit! That's 2 hours viewing well spent! Nice video and you got my sub!

[@tastyclassics]

The highest accolades! Really appreciate you saying so Michael spurs me on to do a lot more in 2023!

[@kongie3835]

Definitely Britain’s version of Derek from vice grip garage

[@ColossulTitan]

Your content is brilliant mate and your humour is second to none,have been looking at a few wee vans like this myself to turn into a wee camper

[@sunilphalakdhari3869]

Just started watching and this definitely needs to be saved after it's harrowing history. Not many vehicles can say, they were in an accident with a ship and survived. And it is quite in good nick as well...a true survivor

[@El_Smeghead]

Did anyone else yell, "Twist to lock the choke!"

[@richardstorer-adam7222]

I had two close shaves with death in one of those puppies. I picked up my companyś brand new rascal in London and had to drive it to Birmingham. Cargo was two 5 litre cans of a special paint. Long story short, the lids came off the paint cans. I was 17 and not what you would call responsible as a driver. By the time I got to Birminghan I was delierious from the fumes that was brush number one, the paint had spilled down the door wells and hardened, it glued the two sliding doors shut, Brush number two came when my dad (company owner) found out, Brought back a lot of memories that video!

[@RadioSaladStudios]

So cool. Such a great little van. Great job making these cars survive.

[@M1ke3ee3y]

Awesome video. Just subscribed after seeing your video as a youtube recomendation. Amazing little vans these. Hope it gets sold to someone who apreciates it enough to see it properly restored. Look forward to more mini restorations projects

[@BlueXonar]

Just found your channel, you're a natural at this, very entertaining to watch. As for the little van, I'd love to watch you get it welded up and through an MOT!

[@stingray13]

Brings back memories, I had a f reg Suzuki supercarry. Great little van of the day. Got a few laughs but done the job. Well done. Great content!!

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

'Bluetooth belt' - i laughed heartily.

[@trevorgilbert7284]

Great video Ben used to drive on of these back in the day when i was a plumber we had a job in Folkestone Kent used to run the van daily to there and back from London with no problems great little vans, keep up the good work

[@tastyclassics]

Brilliant cheers Terry, great effort in one of them, surprisingly nice to drive though!

[@TheoriginalSpaceboy]

@@tastyclassics I used to regularly take mine between Cornwall and Nottingham, never let me down and I was not easy on it

[@unionflag9609]

You lock the choke off by turning the knob clockwise.

[@tastyclassics]

Excellent thank you, bit too late to try it now sadly but i'll remember for next time

[@tomarse42]

@@tastyclassics Its even got arrows on the knob telling you to turn it!

[@theoddjobcentre6686]

@@tastyclassics looks like the dingles van out of emmerdale hahha

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Just like my 1980 Suzuki gs550L

[@greasby1golf871]

In the late 90's I used to race against a Rascal Every Tuesday evening in the winter. I was a sprinter and trained by running uphill on a road about 60m long. Fella in the rascal used to race me every week on his commute, I had 100% win rate! The engine used to raz away behind me while he desperately tried to get the thing to any kind of speed beyond about 20mph 😂

[@memybikeni9931]

53:08 “6 really old alloy wheels….alloy wheels ? Steel wheels” well steel is an alloy, so yeah, alloy wheels. Aluminium wheels, are Ally Wheels, and an alloy too, only because the aluminium (not an alloy) is alloyed with other metals. But ALL wheels are alloy. Bugbear of mine 😂 loved this video, and I hope you save this van, it’s lovely too. Keep up the good work.

[@DanielParry1993]

2 hours is just enough, I’ve never been happier

[@focusstdave123]

found your channel today while off work subscribed straight away after watching this video , very entertaining and factual, Brilliant keep making videos.

[@tastyclassics]

Thanks David, appreciate you saying so, i'll do as many more as I can this coming year.

[@shainerafferty4282]

My dad used to drive a red one of these as his daily. Brings back such fond memories.

[@dalemckenzie5317]

Reminds me of when my Dad bought 30 of the little buggers from BT, all buttercup yellow. They'd been used as telephone box maintenance in London, some interesting flyers I recall 😳

[@jasoncaulkin9830]

Ha ha, I had to use a phone box in London & had to write a number down on one of those "flyers" I did get an odd look from a woman waiting to use the phone, especially when I took the flyer with me.

[@traceymagee]

Had a rascal years ago for boot sales , preferred running round in it to mu E30 BMW

[@jamesnimmo1341]

Hi I’ve just watched your programme for the first time really impressed m8 . You were doing the Rascal will defo watch again great afternoon watching

[@krakennn9067]

I mean this in the best way possible, your style reminds me of Derek from the Vice Grip Garage channel. I found you by accident on Sunday past and subbed before you got the Ambassador running. Thanks for the content. 👍🏻

[@marton349]

Fantastic video. We have a 79 vw t2 that has sat for 18month. I wish you were my neighbour!!

[@wrdcc01]

All the people who used clothes pegs to hold the choke knob out also never bothered to look at the little picture on the knob with arrows showing you which way to twist it to lock!!!!!!!

[@brentgilmore3281]

OK my friend. As an American, I do not know what the hell that is but I love it!!!!!! I would drive the hell out of it over here just so I could have everyone stare at me and ask tons of questions!!!

[@druidswillow1052]

Hi Ben, Stumbled across this while looking for another restoration project and stayed for the duration! Hugely enjoyable vid I was quite fond of the old girl by the end, Hope it finds it's way back amongst the big boys on the open road also I'll be straight down to Eurocarparts in the morning for some 'M.O.T in a can'! Cheers Best Wishes Jim, Surrey

[@Foxychik40]

I'm sorry, but with a little tlc, that could be the most adorable one man campervan ever. It's the car equivalent of a Jack Russell, tiny but so cute. I want one. 🤗🤗

[@MrManBuzz]

Holy shit you've lost a lot of weight since this video. Fair play Ben, you're looking so much fresher now. Sticking this on in the background to refresh my memory before the new video comes out on Friday.

[@DavidJones-dq7iu]

Brilliant video definitely subscribed. Love Bedford Rascals my nans milkman Trevor the Milk used to have one I loved it then.

[@tastyclassics]

Thanks David! maybe a touch shorter than two hours next time though haha

[@paulcentral1]

Nice to see this. Think rascal captured special niche owners. Good for small builders ... Easy access.seen them used for sandwich / breakfast rolls on local daily rounds good little all rounder with simple engine and electrics.old is gold.

[@tastyclassics]

Old is gold.

[@SBW65]

Had one of these when I was gardening, 'G' reg. Great fun little van to drive, very nippy. It had a very clunky gear change from what I can remember, but I call that characterful.

[@Susan-tt8kb]

i used to have the rascal pick up. my husband fitted a large tread plate over the back so my shopping was safe. Then a very good friend took it to work where it was completely stripped down and painted pearl pink. it was admired by a lot of people

[@princetonburchill6130]

I owned one in the 1990s, and I loved it. Me and a mate used to drive it to St. Malo in France to stock up on duty free booze and tobacco. It was amazing what we could cram into the back. Mine had a tendency to overheat on motorways, and the sills front floors were rotted away. I was sorry to see it go.

[@petersargeant1555]

In Orstralia Holden rebadged these and flogged them as the Scurry... And at the same time at Suzuki dealerships we're selling the same thing as a Carry. Badge engineering was an extremely common practice down under in the 90's

[@tastyclassics]

Orstralia! love it. I gave it a google, they look brilliant.

[@crisrose9707]

sooty and sweep drove a miniature bedford pickup camper... I love the irony of them taking something thats already teeny tiny and making something even teenier tinyer for the gang XD

[@willtricks9432]

My youngest lads first drive was a Bedford Rascal, great motor and real fun to drive.

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

Great little rigs, I have a Suzuki super carry, basically the same beast, but in pickup truck form. I love these little trucks, on our side of the pond they are very rare. The Bedfords are almost unheard of in the US. But you should still be able to get parts for it.

[@tastyclassics]

Which is interesting as they're a GM so probably would of done well, went to a lot of countries, too small for the US maybe! I almost tried to fit in the back of the F250 but it had sold before I could try.

[@1969ashley1969]

Hi, great video. Loving the Volvo BTCC poster on the wall at 1:54:12 🙂

[@DaveMason-w4f]

Fantastic world love to have seen full restored on this little van amazing

[@krissovo1]

I broke my virginity in one of these amazing machines so they are specal to me. One of these was my 3rd car after a Volvo 66 (DAF) and citroen AX but I travelledand explored the UK, Ireland and Germany in my time off with a cut down matress and a bluet stove. I would love to say it never missed a beat and but it always got me home, in all I had 8 wonderful years before it rusted to nothing.

[@ashleyhudson3298]

Love watching your videos you have got me back into cars and driving i just love how you do things 👍🏻

[@marcd7463]

Oh my days Ben you crack me up, your videos are so watchable!! The little Rascal needs an A-Team style paint job 😂.....pleeeeze keep doing these videos 👍👍👍

[@garywinterbottom6073]

I remember welding my old 92 astra the sills had a small hole ut on further poking around it turned into the proverbial swish cheese 🧀. Lol

[@tastyclassics]

Ye they have a tendency to do that don't they sadly!

[@garycorbin2789]

Known as the Holden Scurry , very rare here it has a stablemate in the ST90 Suzuki , which i had in 1994 . Loved it and miss it today

[@dustcommander100]

I love that little van! I'm partial to the type with the seat over the front axle. And I'm partial to the vans with a sliding door on each side - I'm a real stickler for symmetry - to a fault. I'm also partial to the vans with rear-wheel drive. I think "Rascal" is such an appropriate name! And did you see the heat shielding on the underside of the seats? Amazing! Sure it's got a bit of rust going on, but a few minutes with a MIG welder would do wonders. Just look at the view from the driver's seat; I think the word "commanding" applies here - you get a commanding view of the road. Yes sir, this is one groovy little van! And those battery cables - what a bit of brilliance! Sort of a universal connection system that would allow any battery to be used.

[@turtlerunner5791]

Just found your channel and i just love car restauration videos wich are longer then 25 minutes with a good personality. You got the whole package!

[@marton349]

Your face at the end says it all. You need to restore this van. I can tell you love it.

[@bagelking6364]

Unbelievable video,what a great little van, certainly deserves a second chance. I hope you sold it to a good home for restoration. Love the videos and keep them coming ❤

[@bigfra79]

Watched for the rascal, subbed for the bants. Loving it

[@LeeKirkman88]

I had one years ago great little vans but suffered with rot on the sills. Much like the SJ410 did which my father owned too at the time. I sold mine when the arches started rotting but i still remember it had 53 thousand miles on the clock and it ran great. I bought a peugot 106 1.1 so id gone up a whole 100cc. FAST!

[@TyredFormat]

So glad my home page got me onto you mate. Absolutely fantastic vids! As someone who started Youtubing around the same time, im jealous of your growth but its so deserved. Great content.

[@thomaspenman4101]

Ben your vids are fantastic to watch❤

[@simonjohnhinton1938]

my uncle had one of those 'sooty mobiles' good sized storage and easy to park. took more than a magic wand to sort that out...😆

[@alanclark8837]

Love the video, Still got one a "G" reg example with the camper on the back, last years only MOT fail was emissions. Now subscribed.

[@ianallen2]

Pull the choke out and twist the knob to lock it in position. I had one of these with side windows back in the late 1980's. I would love another one.

[@markmartin5248]

Send it to me. Im in New London, on disability and my 2005 Grand Caravan runs for four miles and overheats. Three mechanics have worked on it. Wish You were here.

[@sarahrobinson410]

Just started watching this van Video, Its brilliant I remember working in a hire van and car PLC in Brighton We had 3 vans similar to this one dinky van cute fun easy to park. Honestly this van is amazing Love the registration HOOK ideal consider it was found by the sea .. Its very light surface rust and the areas of where its worse I believe was I believe are most common areas.. Personally If you was welding new wheel arches in and you would have a great van.. I have Two Vauxhalls in my collection Both Astra Bertone and twin top convertibles. My own van is Ford Transit 2.2 TDCI and Audi 2.7 TDI estate and a Mercedes CLK 320 convertible. Really look forward to see what you do with this van.. The mileage in 2008 was 96133

[@molnarrobert1893]

They are still made today as damas/labo I think in Korea,so ironically when you sad that it would have been sent as a scrap pressed cube it could have had the chance to be turned in to a new one.

[@stephenbennett5495]

Had a front end smash driving one of them in around 92 , surprisingly strong , brings back memories 😊

[@vlf126]

Buddy i dont think that match box has much rust i just think it has A LOT of weight reduction in all the wrong places :-)

[@garywalker7255]

Good video I had a Diahatsu 55 it had an 850cc engine funny little thing. Done the job though, just .

[@thetruthwillout3347]

Back in 1991 I was given a lift from Yorkshire to Devon in the back of one of these!! Sat on my kit bag it was the most uncomfortable journey I've ever had in my life!!

[@angelajones2095]

Would make a natty little camper!! Love this!

[@tastyclassics]

Thanks Angela it definitely would

[@angelajones2095]

Really enjoying the channel now we finally have a decent uk revival channel, hope you do more like the merc etc. love your wit too xx

[@tastyclassics]

@@angelajones2095 Thanks for saying so very kind of you! I'll definitely be doing as many as I can of the resurrections, waiting for some more light in summer to do some more adventurous ones too.

[@mikeymc222]

Don’t think I’ve every watched a vid this long but loved it!!

[@ILikeSarnies]

You're good at this KZbin lark! You talk through what you're thinking & it's very natural.... good stuff!

[@tastyclassics]

Thanks for saying so Steve, still learning the ropes but glad it's going down well!

[@seanwallace1972]

Will you be doing a follow up on the Bedford rascall,wil you be doing the restoration on it 1:43:36

[@MegaRetr]

I’m subscribed 😊 one of the most satisfying power washings I have seen in a while 😊