Bond Bug ES 700 - 1973

The Bond Bug is a small British two-seat, three-wheeled

sports car built from 1970 to 1974.

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. Its fame was helped along by a distinctive Corgi Toys die-cast toy car. Although  it had a fairly short production run (1970–1974), it has a dedicated following today.  In contrast to the image of three-wheeled Reliants as being slow, the Bond Bug was capable  of some 76 mph (126 km/h), in excess of the UK national speed limit (70 mph/102.6 km/h),  and comparable to small saloon cars such as the basic 850 cc Mini (72 mph/106 km/h) and  the Hillman Imp (80 mph/117 km/h). However, it could not match the speed of the Mini  Cooper S (96 mph/141 km/h) or larger saloons such as the Ford Cortina Mark III (104  mph/152.5 km/h in the highest-powered variant), or even aging models of two-seater sports  cars, such as the MG MGB (103 mph/151 km/h) or the Lotus Seven, where by 1970 even the  lowest-powered version of the S4 could reach 108 mph/158.4 km/h.  The Bond Bug was sold as being fun to drive, with the low seating position giving a similar  exaggerated impression of speed as in a go-kart, while the actual speed was similar to that  reached by high performance cars only a few years earlier (indeed, earlier versions of the  Lotus 7 had a top speed of 76 mph/111 km/h right up until 1968, and their trim level, e.g.  side curtains instead of windows, was also similar).  The Bug was, however, no cheaper than more practical cars. It cost £629, while a basic 850  cc Mini, a four-seater much faster round corners but with considerably inferior acceleration,  cost £620. Also, while a basic Lotus Seven (with much faster acceleration and good cornering) cost £945 in 1970, it was also available as a complete knocked down kit much more cheaply,  partly because of more favourable tax treatment.  Throughout the new millennium, the car has enjoyed an increased following through  publicity with appearances from stars such as Robbie Williams in the "Millennium" promo and  the infamous 118 guys. 

1973

Engine 700 cc 4 cylinders Power 31 HP Top speed 150 km/h Lenght/width 2,79 m/1,39 m Weight 340 kg The collections Bond Bug is in fine original condition, Ready for a spin.