The first Bond cars were curious three wheelers built for economy minded motorists in the late 1940s and 1950s at a factory in Preston, Lancashire. With, its Triumph based Equipe models, the company attempted to move up market in the mid 1960s while keeping the economy car associations, with its little three wheeler, rear engined 875. However, Bond will always be best remembered for the Bug, which was introduced in 1970 after the company had been taken over by British manufactures Reliant, of Tamworth. With its uncompromising wedge shape, orange paint job and swing up cockpit canopy, this sporty three wheeler was a clear attempt to grab some of the affluent youth market of the ‘Swinging Sixties’. However, by the time of its introduction in 1970, the great expectations of that decade had all but evaporated. The styling was by Tom Karen of Ogle, the company responsible for the then-trendy Scimitar GTE. With Reliant’s game little 700cc light alloy engine providing the power, the Bug was good for a brave 75 mhp (120 km/h) flat out, with lively acceleration into the bargain. Its enthusiasts often out that it has the acceleration of a Mini Cooper.
It had no doors, only curtains, which allegedly offered some protection. It had two seats, sitting some 8 inches above the road. More troublesome was the handling on just three wheels, which nobody regarded as much ‘fun’. The model died in 1974 after a four year product run in which a mere 2562 had been produced.
Last 5 posts by fahad majidi
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