Equipment steel chassis, aluminium alloy and glass fibre body, quarter lights, winding windows and locking doors, double dipping lucas headlamps, side repeaters, electrical horn, selfparking. It was therefore popular among those 16 year olds who could afford it and could get a motor cycle license but were not yet old enough to drive a car. Body of the car was completely out of aluminum, although some. Bond minic ar is a series of economical threewheele d microca rs which were manufactured by the british car manufacturer sharps commercials ltd the company was rena med b ond cars limited in 1964, in preston, lancashire, between 1949 and 1966. Although the mk f proved to be the companies most popular minicar with some 7000 being built, the company could hardly rest on their laurels. Bond minicar wikimili, the free encyclopedia wikimili. Not sure this has a place in the article, but the bond minicar was classified as a motor bike for driving license purposes. Bond cars bond minicar, bond 875, bond equipe, bond bug, bond. About 25 years before the robin, there was the bond minicar. Bond minicar is a series of economical threewheeled microcars which were manufactured by the british car manufacturer sharps commercials ltd in preston. Shortly after the end of world war ii, and with the help of his wife, pauline, he decided to build a car that she could take shopping. Hood, interior and seats were fawn with black hardura floor carpets. Bond minicar mark f was presented at the november 1958 london motorcycle show. The mark d bond minicar was produced from 1956 through 1958.
Bond upgraded the mark f in 1961 with a new version of the villiers engine now in 247cc format. Lawrie bond microcar man hardback pen and sword books. The book is a valentine for all of the enthusiasts who have loved mini. Company bond cars began production of economical threewheeled vehicles in 1949. It got villiers 9e, 197 cc with a 3 speed direct change gearbox later production version had a 4speed gearboxes. The official bond owners club website types of bond. The next version, the mark b, was launched in july 1951. The story begins bond car brand in 1948 in preston. This is just the book that could persuade those who applaud minimal motoring to seek ownership of a bond minicar. See more ideas about microcar, small cars and classic cars. Building on his previous bond book bookmarque publishing, 1993 which. There were many changes in the engineering and the bodywork too.
Once a common sight on britains roads, few people today seem to have heard of the bond minicar not a diminutive, gadget laden conveyance for the fictional 007 character, but a popular, practical, motorcycleengined, threewheeler that in the postwar austerity period, gave tens of thousands of people affordable personal transport at a time when conventional vehicles were. Production was already limited by capacity in this mill and the original factory, but bond bought much of the surrounding area and expanded as fast as the market and the money allowed. It also represents the end of a nearly twentyyear run. Bond minicar mk d family for sale, 80% restored just requires interior finishing off. The minicar mark c is an automobile from bond, with front wheel drive, a front located engine and a 1 door convertiblecabriolet body style. Some years ago motor sport tested the bond minicar and reported on it enthusiastically, considering that in the course of this test the flywheel magneto shed a vital wire, a steeringpulley fell off and was commandeered by some passing sea scouts, a wheel split in half, the plug burnt out, and the clutch cable broke.
This bright and colourful book is a motor enthusiasts delight. The bond minicar was an interesting concept in ultraminimalism from britain, benefitting. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading lawrie bond microcar man. Book of the bond minicar motorists library paperback 1 dec.
Warring, 9780273403388, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The bond minicar mk c the 1951 motorcycle show saw an event that would have serious implications for sharps the bond minicar was no longer the only threewheeler exhibited reliant unveiled there new regal fourseat vehicle, due to go into production for 1952. A practical handbook covering all models up to 1960. Bond minicar works, gosford street, preston 1962 click. An illustrated history of bond cars kindle edition by wotherspoon, nick. Once a common sight on britains roads, few people today seem to have heard of the bond minicar not a diminutive, gadget laden conveyance for the fictional 007 character, but a popular, practical, motorcycleengined, threewheeler that in the postwar austerity period, gave tens of thousands of people affordable personal transport at a time when conventional vehicles were beyond the reach of. At certain times during these years, other products such as the commercial vehicles, boats, power skis, trailer tents and even a roof mounted suitcase were investigated. Bond minicar is the name given to a series of economical threewheeled cars manufactured by sharps commercials ltd the company was renamed bond cars limited in 1964, in preston, lancashire between 1949 and 1966. With hood up and sidecurtains erect the bond minicar is very effectively weatherproof, at the expense of contortions becoming necessary for entry and egress through the single nearside door. The fact that many microcars, including the bond, could be insured and licensed as motorcycles made them an even better value.
Lawrie bond, microcar man by nick wotherspoon 2017. The estate version now had a roofhinged rear door replacing. Although visually similar, the mark b incorporated some notable improvements such as a larger more powerful villiers engine of 197cc, rear wheel suspension and modifications to the rearend design. Bond cars bond minicar, bond 875, bond equipe, bond bug, bond ranger english, german, paperback editor. Buy book of the bond minicar motorists library 3rd revised edition by warring, r. The basic concept for the minicar was derived from a prototype built by lawrence lawrie bond an engineer from preston. Bond minicar is a series of economical threewheeled microcars which were manufactured by the british car manufacturer sharps commercials ltd the company was renamed bond cars limited in 1964, in preston, lancashire, between 1949 and 1966. Todays feature car is the best of that breed at least in terms of being a complete car the mark g. By the end of bond minicar production, 24,484 all models combined had been made. H warring author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. They used a 197cc singlecylinder from villiers making nine. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The bond minicar was poverty motoring in the extreme. Bond minicar wikipedia, the free encyclopedia classic.
The body of mark f was identical with the previous mark e, but the new generation of 3wheeler got a new villiers 31a, 250cc engine with a 4 speed positive stop gearbox and a siba dynastart. A practical handbook covering all models up to 1959 motorists library unknown binding 1 jan. He was familiar with the construction of ultralightweight vehicles and, with his wife pauline, built a prototype shopping car that bridged the gap between motorcycle and motorcar, exploiting the advantages of both. Book of the bond minicar motorists library warring, r h on. As mentioned on the mk d minicar page, the introduction of the mk e bond minicar was in fact delayed due to the continuing popularity of the previous model. That is why i decided one day to roll bond im french and i love my car. For this model it musters power and torque figures of 8. The original name of bond cars ltd was sharps commercials ltd and amended in 1965. The story of the bond minicar begins here at lawrence lawrie bonds workshop at longridge in lancashire left, the prototype vehicle actually being. The official bond owners club website a brief history. The 1 cylinder, two stroke naturally aspirated engine and a capacity of 0. No, the infamous reliant robin was not the only threewheeled, british microcar.