 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (July 2025) |
| Alexander Y Type | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Alexander |
| Production | 1962–1983 |
| Assembly | Falkirk, Scotland |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors | 1 door |
| Floor type | Step entrance |
| Chassis | |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 10.0–12.0 metres (32.8–39.4 ft) |
| Width | 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 3.0 metres (9.8 ft) |
The Alexander Y Type was a long-running design of single-decker bus and single-decker intercity bus bodywork built by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders in Falkirk, Scotland. It was built on a wide range of chassis between 1962 and 1983. A small number were built at Alexander's Belfast subsidiary.
From 1971, it became the AY Type (with the A signifying alloy construction) or AYS Type (with the S signifying service bus specification), although in common usage all are referred to simply as Y Type.
The Alexander Y Type was replaced by the P Type single-deck bus body in 1983, assembled with a light aluminium frame on the Dennis Lancet, Leyland Leopard, Leyland Tiger, Scania K92CRB and Volvo B10M chassis.[1] After securing a handful of orders, including those from some SBG companies in the lead-up to bus deregulation in Great Britain, the P Type was replaced in 1988 by the ultimately more successful PS Type.[2]
Chassis
The majority of Y Type bodies were fitted to Leyland Leopard chassis, and most were built for the Scottish Bus Group and its predecessors.
| Chassis | Approximate number of bodies | Number for SBG and predecessors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leyland Leopard | 1803 | 1550 | PSU3 and PSU4 models |
| AEC Reliance | 330 | 238 | |
| Seddon Pennine 7 | 284 | 284 | |
| Ford R-Series | 244 | 242 | R192, R226, R1014 and R1114 models |
| Albion Viking | 230 | 228 | VK41, VK43 and VK49 models |
| Bristol RE | 128 | 66 | RELH, RELL and RESL models |
| Bedford Y series | 92 | 81 | YRQ and YRT models |
| Bristol LH | 75 | 75 | LH6P model |
| Leyland Tiger Cub | 52 | 31 | |
| Bedford VAM | 27 | 27 | VAM5 model |
| Leyland Panther | 2 | 0 | for Newcastle Corporation, classified Y type but actually W type bodies |
| Dennis Lancet | 1 | 1 | |
| Volvo B58 | 1 | 0 | B58-56 demonstrator |
| Volvo B57 | 1 | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 3270 | 2824 |
Other customers
As can be seen from the table above, SBG was by far the biggest customer, buying over 86% of the total output of Y Types. However other customers also existed, amongst these being the North Western Road Car Company with 75 Leopards and 30 Bristol REs, Venture of Consett with 32 Leopards and 12 Reliances, Lancaster City Council with 26 Leopards, and Potteries Motor Traction with 25 Reliances.
References
- ↑ "Alexander/M-B link". Commercial Motor. Vol. 156, no. 3988. Sutton: IPC Transport Press. 30 October 1982. p. 15. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ↑ "New Series 3 PSV at NEC". Commercial Motor. Vol. 171, no. 4274. Sutton: Reed Business Publishing. 16 June 1988. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
External links
Media related to Alexander Y-Type at Wikimedia Commons
