Bedford Y series

Bedford Y Series
A Bedford YRQ with Plaxton Panorama Elite bodywork
Overview
Manufacturer	Bedford
Production	1971 - 1986
Assembly	Luton
Body and chassis
Doors	1-2
Floor type	Step entrance
Chassis	Straight ladder frame
Powertrain
Engine	Bedford Perkins Leyland Cummins
Transmission	4-speed synchromesh 5-speed
Chronology
Predecessor	Bedford VAM Bedford VAL

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 (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 (10 m) and YMT (11 m).

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]

Chassis summary

Maidstone BC Bedford YLQ Duple Dominant WKM 70S, 1980

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]

• 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 (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]

Engine codes Letter Type L 8.2 litres (500 in^3) diesel, derated to 110 kW (150 bhp) M 8.2 litres (500 in^3) diesel, 119 kW (160 bhp) naturally aspirated or 130 kW (170 bhp) turbocharged N 8.2 litres (500 in^3) diesel, 153 kW (205 bhp) turbocharged R 7.64 litres (466 in^3) diesel

Gross weight codes Letter Range P 9,500–10,400 kg (9.3–10.2 long tons) Q 10,000–11,100 kg (9.8–10.9 long tons) T 13,200–14,500 kg (13.0–14.3 long tons) V 14,100–16,300 kg (13.9–16.0 long tons)

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.

References

1. Mid-engine Bedford YRT replaces VAL Commercial Motor 30 June 1972
2. YNT 'good Commercial Motor 25 Oct 1980
3. Bedford Buses and Coaches By Nigel R B Furness, The Crowood Press Ltd, 2016
4. Bus Lists On The Web
5. Broatch, Stuart Fergus; Townsin, Alan (October 1996). The Bedford Story, part two - 1950-1986. Glossop: Venture Publications. p. 97. ISBN 1-898432-09-0.