Bond Cars

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bond Cars Ltd was a British automobile manufacturer. The company was founded by Lawrie Bond in Preston , Lancs in 1948. Initially named "Sharps Commercials Ltd", the name was changed in 1965 to "Bond Cars Ltd". The company was acquired by Reliant Motor Co Ltd of Tamworth , Staffs in 1970. The new owner closed the factory in Preston, but used the "Bond" brand until 1974 for vehicles from their own factory in Tamworth.

Bond minicar

1959 Bond Minicar Mark F
The engine compartment of a 1959 minicar. (Note: the unchanged kick starter on the left)

Bond Cars began making a three-wheeler in 1949. It was called the "Minicar Mark A" and was powered by a one-cylinder two-stroke Villiers 122 or 197 cc. The body was mainly made of aluminum , with some models fiberglass-reinforced plastic was also used for some parts. The vehicle was a success. Tricycles in the UK were treated like motorcycles with a sidecar and could be ridden with a low license class. They also benefited from tax benefits.

The minicar went through seven stages of development, culminating in the "Mark G" in 1961. Different body versions were offered. Larger engines were installed, first a 250 cc single cylinder, then a twin of the same size from Villiers 4T (optional in the "Mark G"). Developed as motorcycle engines, they did not have reverse gear. But this was only a minor disadvantage, because the motor, gearshift and front wheel formed a unit that could be turned 90 degrees to the right and left using the steering wheel. The vehicle had a very small turning circle and was able to turn almost on the spot.

A special type of reverse gear was built into later models. It worked by stopping the engine and turning it on in reverse. This was achieved by reversing the Dynastart device, a combination of starter and alternator.

The last minicars were built in 1966.

Bond Equipe 1963-1970

The Equipe was Bond's first four-wheel vehicle, a sports car with a two-door fiberglass body that was mounted on a Triumph Herald chassis with the 1147 cm³ (later 1296 cm³) twin carburetor engine of the Triumph Spitfire . From 1967 the team was based on the two-liter, six-cylinder Triumph Vitesse . A convertible was built from 1968.

  • Equipe, 1147 cc, 1964

  • Equipe, 2 L, 1969

  • 1969

Bond 875 1965-1970

The Bond 875 was a three-wheeler with an 875 cc four-stroke rear engine from the Hillman Imp . He was hired when it was acquired by Reliant.

Bond Bug 1970-1974

Bond bug

The Bond Bug was probably the company's most famous work, a three-wheeler with a Reliant 700cc four-cylinder and a top speed of 75 mph. Most of the Bond Bug were bright orange in color. The body designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design was considered fashionable. The passengers had access to the car by folding the entire roof down.

Other products

Bond also built scooters , a motor ski, trailers, tents, suitcases and more.

Web links

Commons : Bond Vehicles  - Collection of Pictures, Videos and Audio Files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b c d e N. Georgano: Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile . HMSO, London 2000, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 .
  2. ^ Graham Robson: A to Z of British Cars 1945–1980 . Herridge, Devon, UK 2000, ISBN 0-9541063-9-3 .