| Bedford Y Series | |
| Manufacturer: | Bedford |
| Assembly: | Luton |
| Production: | 1971 - 1986 |
| Floortype: | Step entrance |
| Doors: | 1-2 |
| Chassis: | Straight ladder frame |
| Engine: | Bedford Perkins Leyland Cummins |
| Transmission: | 4-speed synchromesh 5-speed |
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.
Announced in September 1970, the Bedford YRQ was a 10-metre (33 ft) coach chassis intended to replace the Bedford VAM. The engine was mounted centrally under the floor.
In 1972 an 11-metre (36 ft) version, the YRT, entered production as a replacement for the twin-steer Bedford VAL.[1]
New more powerful engines were introduced in 1975 with the YLQ (10m) and YMT (11m).
The 1980 YNT was a development of the YMT with a turbocharged engine,[2] 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.[3]
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.[4]
Model codes were part of a system introduced by General Motors in 1968. Under this, the first letter (in this case, 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. Those applicable to the Y series were as follows:[5]
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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.