IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: 80s Bedford Bambi motorhome (Bedford Rascal/Suzuki Super Carry)

The Bambi was based on the Bedford Rascal and this meant that quality wasn’t just in the coach build, but in the mechanics too.

The little home on wheels had all the technology afforded to the Rascal including servo assisted disc front brakes with drums to the rear, rack and pinion steering, independent front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension, radial tyres and a 5 speed box as standard.

The engine, like the gearbox, was a one choice affair and it was a 970cc water cooled engine, hidden under the front seats as per the Rascal set up and boasted a power to weight ratio which was allegedly as good as many one ton class vehicles.

For me, going slightly off topic, the placement of the engine and everything under the seats is a massive turn off for working on problems wise, but hey, with only 12 foot to work with, we’ve hardly got room to put it elsewhere.

The Bambi, like the Rascal also has a turning circle of 8.8 metres and a 36 litre fuel tank.

Interesting the Bedford Bambi was sold as being British built and quite a bit of fuss was made around this on promotional literature, but it wasn’t as simple as that!

The Rascal, sometimes called the Vauxhall Rascal as it was known as the 1990 brand rebadge was also built as the Suzuki Super Carry in Japan and it was also called the GME in other markets - basically GM decided to use the name which held the most recognition and appeal in the buying location.

However despite it not being an entirely British design as implied in promo material for the Bambi, it was British built and it was built in Luton England.

If you are watching this video after looking up the Suzuki Super Carry or wondering how it differs, it really is only different as front grille and lights. The Super Carry has two separate plastic head light surrounds and the Rascal as the Bambi is based on has a single full width grill with Bedford in the centre.

And finally, You’ve also probably noticed on the outside of the van, Disney Bambi stickers and these aren’t an after market fitment. In fact, the makers of the Bambi actually used the name Bambi under license from Disney, which I’ve not heard Disney do with any other automotive manufacturer.

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