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.Mid-engine Bedford YRT replaces VAL Commercial Motor 30 June 1972

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,YNT 'good Commercial Motor 25 Oct 1980 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.Bedford Buses and Coaches By Nigel R B Furness, The Crowood Press Ltd, 2016

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.Bus Lists On The Web 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: +Engine codesLetter Type L diesel, derated to M diesel, naturally aspirated or turbocharged N diesel, turbocharged R diesel+ Gross weight codesLetter Range P Q T V 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.

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