Bedford Y series

A Bedford YRQ with Plaxton Panorama Elite III bodywork

The Bedford Y series was a family of bus and coach chassis manufactured by Bedford from 1970.

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 (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]

Chassis summary

• Bedford Y series
  • Eight metres
    • YMP/S
  • Ten metres
    • YRQ
    • YLQ
    • YMQ
    • YMP
  • Eleven metres
    • YRT
    • YMT
    • YNT
  • Twelve metres
    • YNV Venturer

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