Bond Bug: the ultimate 70s car, but with only three wheels
Posted on 07-01-2016 at 23:06 by Dizono – 19 Comments”
Only available in a shade of orange that only in the years ’70 is used, free of chrome, but plastic than you know what to do with a massive NACA-slot on the front and no doors but a up hinged roof. Meet the cutest tricycle ever.
There are cars that, when you get there for the first time a picture of see, you will never forget. The Bond Bug is such a car and the picture above is that picture for me. A real car it is not, the Bug only has three wheels and is obviously from the country where tricycles hefty tax benefit enjoyed, and therefore extremely popular were: Britain. We all know the Reliant’s, but by the action of the by Mr. Bean so hated blue Reliant Regal Supervan or the frequent rolling over of Robin’s by Clarkson&Co.
Just like Reliant, but also, for example, AC (of the Cobra), also built Bond from the late ’40 a lot of tricycles. They are the main competitor of the Reliant, but as popular as the Regal, the Bond Mini car, and later the Bond 875, never. In 1969, takes Reliant the company. The production of the competitive model 875 is immediately stopped, but the brand Bond disappears from the market.
The birth of the Bond Bug
At the same time is Reliant namely developed a prototype of a three wheel sports car, the Rogue. This is designed by industrial designer Tom Karen, who also signed for the Scimitar GTE. Although frame and engine are borrowed from the Regal, seems to be the Bond Bug, there’s nothing other Reliants or other cars at all.
You can design the best way to describe an orange (any other color was not there) driekhoek on three wheels. The plastic cart had no doors, but to disconnect canvas screens. Not that you ever went loosen to get in, the easier it was to just the roof, including windshield to tilt to the front.
A bathtub without comfort
The two tubs are no more than thin pads in the shaped plastic ‘tub’ has been pasted. The 700cc viercilindertje with 29 hp lies between the legs of the two occupants, and only by a plastic cap at the sight. That the engine noise is not simulated have to be about the speakers, I don you’t have to explain. In fact, the Bug doesn’t even have a radio, because you would not hear. A dashboard has the kekke carriage likewise, the odometer sits against the housing of the motor body, the steering column is a m and disappears just above your feet in the bulkhead. Also, the pedals and associated mechanisms are all in sight.
The Bond Bug was in the market was set as an affordable and sporty car, but there should be comment to be posted. It was with a top speed of 122 km/h the only tricycle in that time which is harder then could the British speed limit, but the car was not much faster than a Mini or Hillman Imp. In addition the car is also marginally more expensive than a Mini and that had four wheels and also a bit more comfort. And better handling characteristics, because of nice corners is not there. I can feel the slightly nervous words of the owner in the passenger seat, still clearly remember: “not too hard into the corners, then he falls for”.
No success
In 1973, is Reliant with the slightly more powerful Bond Bug 750E/ES, that the 700E/ES are followed. There are also copies with the 850cc engine for the Mini, which often 850ES be called. However, these are not original copies, but conversions by handy harry’s. Just like there is always someone that is a good idea to find a Hayabusa engine in to scoop up. There are a total of 2270 copies were built.
Gallery: Bond Bug
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