Bond Bug
| Bond Bug | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bond Cars Ltd /Reliant |
| Production | 1970–1974 2,270 made |
| Assembly | |
| Designer | Tom Karen (Ogle Design) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microcar |
| Body style | canopy door coupé |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Reliant 700 cc, later 750 cc |
| Transmission | 4-speed b |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 6 ft 5 in (1,956 mm) |
| Length | 9 ft 2 in (2,794 mm) |
| Width | 4 ft 7 in (1,397 mm) |
| Height | 4 ft 2 in (1,270 mm) |
| Kerb weight | 868 lb (394 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Bond 875 |
The Bond Bug is a small British two-seat, three-wheeled automobile which was built from 1970 to 1974, initially by Bond Cars Ltd and subsequently by the Reliant Motor Company. It is a wedge-shaped microcar, with a lift-up canopy and side screens instead of conventional doors.
Following the purchase of Bond Cars Ltd., Reliant commissioned Tom Karen of Ogle Design to design a fun car. The Bond Bug was based on Chief Engineer John Crosthwaite's newly designed chassis and some Reliant Regal running gear. The original concept was explored by chopping down a production Regal vehicle, the rear of the car being shortened to end over the rear axle. This prototype could be seen for many years later, languishing in the yard at the rear of the factory, by anyone who cared to look through the chain-link fence from the canal towpath.
The engine is the front-mounted 700 cc (later uprated to 750 cc) Reliant light-alloy four-cylinder unit, developed from the Austin 7, and which protruded into the passenger cabin. At launch 29 bhp (22 kW; 29 PS) was claimed for the less expensive 700 and 700E models. The more up-market 700ES incorporates a redesigned cylinder head which permitted the compression ratio to be increased from 7.35:1 to 8.4:1. This provided a power increase to 31 bhp (23 kW; 31 PS) as well as improved torque for the then range topping 700ES.
The Bond Bug 700ES also offers more supportive seats as well as more padding over the engine cowl, twin mudflaps, an ashtray, a rubber front bumper and a spare wheel.
The car enjoyed an upbeat launch, at which Reliant's Ray Wiggin stated: "The fact it has three wheels is quite incidental. It's a new form of transport. So now, in fact, we think it's going to appeal to a much wider section of the market than we originally envisaged."
The Bug was available in a bright orange tangerine colour, although six white Bugs were produced for a Rothmans cigarette promotion - one of which was also used in an advertisement for Cape Fruit and at the moment a Dulux Bond Bug is said to be under commission. Only three Rothmans bugs are known to exist.
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Wikipedia