FREEDOM ROLLER Bedford CF

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/772710176172495

Freedom Machine 1978

This is a photo of Tania Puddick with the Freedom Machine she won back in 1978.

More info on the "Freedom Machine" click here.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/carsdaddrove

VANTOONZ by Nigzy

Source: facebook.com/Nigzy

Easy Roller

Source: facebook.com/groups/45533840329/permalink/10156836377095330/

Street Machine TV: 3XY FREEDOM ROLLER

"BACK in the 70s giveaway cars were properly customised vans, and some of the awesomest giveaway cars were built for the coolest stations on the wireless.

Thus the Coca Cola/3XY Freedom Roller was born. It’s based around a more user-friendly CF Bedford and built in the workshops of Vanmakers Australia.

John Evans was the man responsible for much of the design and fabrication of the 3XY vans. “I knew some of the DJs at 3XY,” John says. “We rode dirt bikes together so they knew my background and figured I’d be the man for the job.”

A set of Manta flares, made famous on John’s HQ van Tangerine Dream II, were adapted and combined with XC Fairmont headlamps and a custom grille for a truly unique appearance. Black, yellow, orange and red stripes were laid over the white base, while K-Mac suspension, Sunraysia rims and a Garrett turbo for the 202 were added to downplay the ‘commercial’ roots of the van.

So just a few weeks out from the Bathurst Van Nationals Don Haile and John Evans decided to throw together a tribute van. John looked after the outside while Don was overseas and Don got a shock when he returned. “I said to John: ‘You son of a bitch. Now we’re going to have to do the interior!’” he recalls. Don got busy decking out the rear in a mix of coloured vinyls, wrapping laminated timber chairs and fitting a round-top table covered in Coke livery and John blew the dust off his bubble-window skills and whipped up a pair of red versions for the rear barn doors.

The Freedom Roller was a huge hit at the Nationals, picking up 6th Top Lifestyle Van, and draws plenty of attention on the streets. “A lot of the comments come from ‘era-correct’ ladies,” Don says. “It’s great that the van and long-gone 3XY name are the source of fond memories for many people.”

So join us as we sit down for a chat with Don and John in the Van’s roomy interior. If you want more then grab a copy of SM June 2015; it’s 244 pages and chock full of cool vans, including a full feature on the Freedom Roller. Don’t miss it."

Source: www.streetmachine.com.au/street-machine-tv
Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAai88M92Og

3XY Coca Cola EasyRoller

Old photo of the Easy Roller

Source: www.facebook.com

The Refinisher Magazine - 1979 - Easy Roller

The Refinisher magazine, vol.21 #1 - 1979 featured the newly unveiled Easy Roller custom CF on the cover.
Inside there's an article - "The ACRAN Easy Roller: A shiing example of van art".

You can buy this magazine right now: www.ebay.com.au/itm/181109113149
The seller also has some other vanning items, including an original sticker from the Radio 3XY / Coca Cola giveaway: www.ebay.com.au/itm/181109109748 and the Autumn 1979 issue of Custom Vans and Trucks magazine also with the Easy Roller on the cover: www.ebay.com.au/itm/181109780460

Van Craft Easy Roller aka Freedom Machine

I did some research to find out more info on the Van Craft Easy Roller kit I just posted.

"Easy Roller" wasn't just a bolt on kit for your Bedford CF. It turns out that there was a customized van called "Easy Roller" and it was the main prize in a Radio 3XY / Coca Cola summer promotion. Actually there were 3 identical vans given away in Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales but only the one in Victoria was called Easy Roller while the other 2 were called "Freedom Machine".

This sticker below say's Freedom Machine but you can see it's the same Easy Roller shown above.

Here are a couple of promotional shots from 1979:

One of the original Easy Roller's popped up on flickr a few years ago. In the comments you can read that another Easy Roller/Freedom Machine is stored away in a garage.

Here are a couple of photos I found on Buga of the Easy Roller above before it was stripped. Note that it say's Freedom Machine... The previous owner had the original Easy Roller stickers replaced with Freedom Machine ones because he preferred that name.

I also found a topic on the Vanning Australia forum of what seems to be the restoration on the above mentioned van. The last update was last summer.

UPDATE March 2024:

"We all know the Chrysler Denim Machine, the first White Bedford Freedom Machine and the last giveaway the 3 black Bedford Van's, the Victorian Easy Roller and NSW and WA Freedom Machines. Not many left now, a replica of the Denim Machine gets around Qld, the 6 that were built have all disappeared. The white Freedom Machine was crushed in NSW about 5yrs ago, I have pics of it in NSW about a year before it was destroyed and the Easy Roller was written off in the 80s. The WA Freedom Machine is in hiding in WA but very modified from what it was. That leaves the NSW Freedom Machine by 2SM. Well I found it about 13 yrs ago, here are pics of how I found it and it's current condition. Restoration has been slow but getting there. I am aiming to get it on the road this year. Originally I thought mine was the Easy Roller but my research led me to this being the NSW van"
James Ellis - www.facebook.com/groups/40031157273

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There is awas this one below.  It was also given away at a previous Radio 3XY / Coca Cola promotion. As you can see it's a lot of confusion with the names Easy Roller and Freedom Machine. The original Freedom Machine completely different customized Bedford CF. That's the reason why the new one was called Easy Roller but for some reason 2 of the 3 vans maintained the Freedom Machine name.

 These photos seem to be of the original Freedom Machine and it's believed to have been scrapped. 

And finally, John Evans is one of the pioneers of Australian vanning and was behind Van Craft and these vans. He still has a Bedford CF called "Magic Bus" and drives it all over Australia raising money for charity.

"John Evans is widely regarded as the Godfather of Australian Vanning. With 40 years in the industry and famous for personal rides Tangerine Dream, Reincarnation and Tangerine Dream II, John was inducted into the Majestic Vanners Vanning Legends 'Hall of Fame' in November 2012. He was an original partner in Vancraft and built the Easy Roller and Freedom Machine Bedfords in the 70's and continues his tradition of automotive artistic excellence via his current business Racepaint/Fleeting Image. A true Gentleman and legendary Vanner."