Bedford Y series: the last Bedford bus chassis

The Bedford Y series was a family of single-decker bus and coach chassis manufactured by Bedford from 1970 to 1986, when Bedford ceased bus and truck production. It was the last bus range the company built, and its chassis were bodied chiefly by Duple and Plaxton.

Bedford Y series at a glance

History of the Bedford Y series

YRQ and YRT

Announced in September 1970, the Bedford YRQ was a 10-metre coach chassis intended to replace the Bedford VAM. Its engine was mounted centrally under the floor. The YRQ could carry 48 to 53 passengers depending on the body, with front and rear overhangs of 2.08 m and 2.18 m on a 5.64 m wheelbase. In 1972 an 11-metre version, the YRT, entered production as a replacement for the twin-steer Bedford VAL. It could also carry 48 to 53 passengers, with overhangs of 2.08 m and 3.18 m on the same 5.64 m wheelbase.

YLQ, YMT and YNT

New more powerful engines were introduced in 1975 with the YLQ (10 m) and YMT (11 m). The 1980 YNT was a development of the YMT with a turbocharged engine, while the YLQ became the YMQ and then the YMP. The YNT was launched quietly with a pre-production prototype fitted with a 154 kW Bedford engine and a Turner MS six-speed overdrive gearbox.

YNV Venturer and the end

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, and the Y series was the last model built by Bedford before it ceased activity.

Range and model codes

The Y series was produced in four lengths: 8 m, 10 m, 11 m and 12 m. The majority were bodied as coaches, though the 8 m, 10 m and 11 m versions were also built as single-decker buses and midibuses. Seating capacities varied, but were typically 45 for a 10 m bus or coach and 53 for an 11 m. The 12 m 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.

Model codes were part of a system introduced by General Motors in 1968. The first letter, Y, denoted the basic model range; the second letter denoted the engine type; and the third letter the gross weight range for a complete vehicle. A further four digits or letters denoted wheelbase, transmission and body type, and the full seven-character code was incorporated in the VIN of each vehicle. The Y series was sold extensively in the United Kingdom, mainly to independent operators, as well as in export markets, and it was fitted with a wide variety of bodies, chiefly from Duple and Plaxton.

Design and features

• Underfloor engine: the engine sat centrally under the floor, freeing space for passengers.
• Four lengths: 8 m, 10 m, 11 m and 12 m chassis covered midibus, bus and coach work.
• Coach or bus: the 8, 10 and 11 m versions could be bodied as single-deckers, while the 12 m was almost always a coach.
• Air suspension: the 12 m YNV Venturer introduced air suspension in 1984.
• Duple and Plaxton bodies: the two main coachbuilders for the range.

Bedford Y series versions

• YMP/S: the 8-metre chassis.
• YRQ: the original 10-metre coach chassis of 1970.
• YLQ, YMQ and YMP: later 10-metre developments.
• YRT: the 11-metre chassis that replaced the Bedford VAL.
• YMT: the 11-metre model with more powerful engines from 1975.
• YNT: the turbocharged 11-metre development of 1980.
• YNV Venturer: the 12-metre air-suspension model of 1984.

The Y series replaced the Bedford VAM and the Bedford VAL and was the last Bedford bus range. More are in the Bedford collection.

Sources

• Bedford Y series, English Wikipedia: models, lengths, production, model codes
• Bedford Série Y, French Wikipedia: dimensions, seating, YNT details