Bedford Y series


The Bedford Y series was a family of single-decker bus and single-decker coach chassis manufactured by Bedford from 1970 to 1986, when Bedford ceased bus and truck production.

History

Announced in September 1970, the Bedford YRQ was a 10-metre coach chassis intended to replace the Bedford VAM. The engine was mounted centrally under the floor.
In 1972 an 11-metre version, the YRT, entered production as a replacement for the twin-steer Bedford VAL.
New more powerful engines were introduced in 1975 with the YLQ and YMT.
The 1980 YNT was a development of the YMT with a turbocharged engine, while the YLQ became the YMQ and then the YMP.
The 12-metre YNV Venturer with air suspension was the final development of the Y series, announced in 1984.
Bus and truck production by Bedford ceased in 1986.

Chassis summary

The Y series was produced in four different lengths; 8m, 10m, 11m and 12m. The majority were bodied as coaches, though the 8m, 10m and 11m versions were also built as single-decker buses and midibuses. Seating capacities varied, but were typically 45 for a 10m bus or coach and 53 for an 11m. The 12m version was built almost exclusively as a coach, with one exception where a Plaxton Paramount coach body shell was fitted out with bus seats in a high-capacity layout.
  • Bedford Y series
  • *Eight metres
  • **YMP/S
  • *Ten metres
  • **YRQ
  • **YLQ
  • **YMQ
  • **YMP
  • *Eleven metres
  • **YRT
  • **YMT
  • **YNT
  • *Twelve metres
  • **YNV Venturer
Model codes were part of a system introduced by General Motors in 1968. Under this, the first letter denoted the basic model range; the second letter denoted the engine type; and the third letter the gross weight range for a complete vehicle. Those applicable to the Y series were as follows:

A further four digits or letters denoted wheelbase, transmission and body type, and the full seven-character code was incorporated in the VIN for each individual vehicle.
The Bedford Y series was sold extensively in the United Kingdom, mainly to independent operators, as well as in export markets. It was fitted with a wide variety of bodies by different manufacturers, chiefly Duple and Plaxton.