Bedford Y Series

Click here known survivors preserved or operational

This page was last updated on 02/03/2013

The Y types cover a large range of chassis variants, running from 1970 until the end of Bedford production at Dunstable in 1986, we will not go into in depth specification here other than to list  the chassis types produced with brief specification, together with a survivors listing of preserved Y types as listed by the PSV Circle, & active known PSV's from other sources. The Y type was Bedford's first specifically designed underfloor mid engined PSV chassis, previous types having been front engined truck derived chassis. The final version the YNV named the 'Venturer', was to be Bedford's answer to the growing continental competition. With full air suspension, the chassis differed greatly from what had gone before, but sadly the N series engine proved a weak link, which now in its extreme state of tune was not reliable & prone to failure. The final nail in the coffin came in 1986 with the closure of the Dunstable plant. The Bedford name as we knew it was finished.

What are they worth?  A good condition, well maintained, recently withdrawn from service coach, with some MoT remaining between £1700 & £2000, a one owner, exceptional condition vehicle will obviously command more.  A withdrawn out of ticket example £500 to £1000 depending upon condition and current scrap prices. Spares for chassis are generally still available new, but now getting short in supply although many operators may still have 'new old stock' spares they will sell. Body parts for Plaxton & Duple are readily available second hand, again many operators may still have parts & spares, and they are also available from breakers & withdrawn vehicles languishing in various operators yards.

Recommended reading                                                                                                                                         

The Bedford Story part two 1950 - 1986 by Stuart Broatch & Alan Townsin published by Venture Publishing ISBN 1 898432 09 0  £19.95 (out of print but still available second hand from transport bookshops etc.)  Covers the Bedford Y types in some detail along with other Bedford's of the period.                                                                                                                                                 

Bedford Buses of the 1970's & 80's by M. Berry, A Earnshaw  & M Eltham published by Trans-Pennine Publishing ISBN 1 903016 05 03  £7.95            

 
 

The Bedford Y type chassis

 
Type      Length              Engine (all Bedford 6 cylinder diesel)    GVW
YRQ       10m                  466 cu in                                           11400kg
YRT        11m                  466 cu in                                           13000kg
YLQ       10m                  500 cu in                                            11400kg
YMQ      10m                  500 cu in                                           11400kg
YMP       10m                  500 cu in (turbo)                               11400kg
YMPS     8.5 / 9.6m         500 cu in (turbo)
YMT       11m                  500 cu in                                           13000kg
YNT        11m (see note)  500 cu in (turbo)                               13000kg   Note: A 12 metre chassis extension was available to special order by Tricentrol
YNV       12m                  500 cu in (turbo)                                14500kg
 

 


 

Listing of known preserved & operational vehicles
Due to the large amount of Y types still in service, languishing in operators & breakers yards, caravan conversions etc it would be too large a task to maintain a listing of all survivors, so we are confining this listing to those vehicles considered preserved or still active as operational PSV's.  Y types used as caravans are featured on Travellers Homes web site http://www.travellerhomes.co.uk/ 
If we have missed out your Preserved or Active bus or coach please let us know (with photo if possible) but please no 'store sheds', car transporters, caravans or derelicts.
Also if you know of any listed that are no longer on the road or scrapped, or have changed owner, again let us know.

Spare parts suppliers:

Midland Automotive Parts Ltd, Shrewsbury Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 3EW Phone  01630 656990  Fax  01630 656991

E Mail  midlandautoparts@btopenworld.com

Ditton Service Station Ltd. 675 London Road, Ditton, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6DF tel: 01732 878950, fax 01732 844920

E Mail sales@bedfordparts.co.uk

Metal Mouldings Unit 2-3 Guild Road, Bromsgrove, B60 2BY tel 07534 454269 (alloy extrusion & herzim pvc insert)
 

PARTS FOR SALE

Bedford 500 Turbo (hi-blow) cylinder liners suitable for YNT and YNV Emmarkpart number EM1034 also has other Bedford Y type spares, email Simon Lang for details simonlang@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

Please contact us by using one of the methods below

Telephone John Wakefield on 01223 843802

Email The Wakefield Files

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(c) John Wakefield 25/09/2009