History of the Bond Bug

The history of the Bond Bug - March 1970 to May 1974

Date Chassis No. Details

Mar 1970 BB60001 Bug production started in preparation for the launch in June. A distinctive wedge-shaped two-seater with a Glass Fibre body and a canopy hinged forwards of the windscreen. This was mounted onto a pressed steel, box section chassis having tubular braced cross members. The 700cc Reliant engine, forward mounted, drove the rear wheels through a 4 speed/reverse gearbox. There was a front leading arm and rear trailing link suspension with coil springs/dampers unit, 7" hydraulic brakes, 10" steel wheels and 12 volt electric’s for lighting/starting. Length 9'2", width 4'7" and height 4'2". Colours available; Tangerine with black interior trim.
The Bug 700 was planned to be the base model. It was to be sold without any sort of refinements or luxuries. The hinged canopy had to be held open with a simple prop arrangement, and side screens were not part of the specification. (but could be ordered as an "extra")
The Bug 700E was a deluxe version of the 700 with sidescreens, heater, a telescopic canopy damper, canopy lock, drivers sun visor and an interior light! The spare wheel still had to be ordered as an extra.
The Bug 700ES was the same as the 700E but with a higher compression engine, alloy wheels, low profile tyres, spare wheel, rubber front bumper, wing mirrors, mud flaps and several extras such as head rests, extra side seat supports, twin horns, formula 1 style steering wheel, etc.

May 1970 BB60115-45 During W/E 1st May, after the first 114 had been built (all 700E's) the only basic 700 model ever produced appears in the production meeting statistics. The chassis number is believed to be between BB60115 and 60145 when the following weeks production finished.

July 1970 BB60700-999 There appears to be a complete block of some 300 numbers missing from all known chassis number records. Research indicates that this seems to have happened around the time of the closure of the Preston factory and the transfer of production to Tamworth. The conclusion drawn is that production re-started at 61000, but as yet no firm evidence to either substantiate or deny this has been found.

Aug 1971 BB61445 A new gearbox with synchromesh on all gears and a different reverse position was introduced.

Sep 1972 BB61696 The steering column was shortened to allow for the fitting of a dished steering wheel that conformed to the latest safety regulations.

Apr 1973 BB62??? The Bug 700 was officially discontinued. The date has been supplied from Glass's Motorcycle Check Book although it is now known that only one was ever produced.

Oct 1973 BB62427 The Bug 700E and 700ES were discontinued. 62427 was the last chassis number.

Oct 1973 BB6428 The Bug 750E and 750ES were introduced. Similar to the 700E and 700ES but with the larger capacity 750cc engine. /font>

May 1974 BB62569 The last vehical ever produced to bear the Bond name, registration number VLB 249M

NOTE: A prototype 4 wheeler bug using Reliant Rebel front suspension and steering is known to have been built for evaluation at Tamworth in 1970. Registration Number GBF 473H

Bug production = 2,268

Comprising Body Types:

Body Colours:

Nearly all were Tangerine with the exception of a few specially painted for various promotions, these included Rose's Lime Green (Lime) and Rothmans Cigarettes (white) being two of them.

No left hand steering vehicles were ever produced. Link to mkccc

Mar 1970	BB60001	Bug production started in preparation for the launch in June. A distinctive wedge-shaped two-seater with a Glass Fibre body and a canopy hinged forwards of the windscreen. This was mounted onto a pressed steel, box section chassis having tubular braced cross members. The 700cc Reliant engine, forward mounted, drove the rear wheels through a 4 speed/reverse gearbox. There was a front leading arm and rear trailing link suspension with coil springs/dampers unit, 7" hydraulic brakes, 10" steel wheels and 12 volt electric’s for lighting/starting. Length 9'2", width 4'7" and height 4'2". Colours available; Tangerine with black interior trim. The Bug 700 was planned to be the base model. It was to be sold without any sort of refinements or luxuries. The hinged canopy had to be held open with a simple prop arrangement, and side screens were not part of the specification. (but could be ordered as an "extra") The Bug 700E was a deluxe version of the 700 with sidescreens, heater, a telescopic canopy damper, canopy lock, drivers sun visor and an interior light! The spare wheel still had to be ordered as an extra. The Bug 700ES was the same as the 700E but with a higher compression engine, alloy wheels, low profile tyres, spare wheel, rubber front bumper, wing mirrors, mud flaps and several extras such as head rests, extra side seat supports, twin horns, formula 1 style steering wheel, etc.
May 1970	BB60115-45	During W/E 1st May, after the first 114 had been built (all 700E's) the only basic 700 model ever produced appears in the production meeting statistics. The chassis number is believed to be between BB60115 and 60145 when the following weeks production finished.
July 1970	BB60700-999	There appears to be a complete block of some 300 numbers missing from all known chassis number records. Research indicates that this seems to have happened around the time of the closure of the Preston factory and the transfer of production to Tamworth. The conclusion drawn is that production re-started at 61000, but as yet no firm evidence to either substantiate or deny this has been found.
Aug 1971	BB61445	A new gearbox with synchromesh on all gears and a different reverse position was introduced.
Sep 1972	BB61696	The steering column was shortened to allow for the fitting of a dished steering wheel that conformed to the latest safety regulations.
Apr 1973	BB62???	The Bug 700 was officially discontinued. The date has been supplied from Glass's Motorcycle Check Book although it is now known that only one was ever produced.
Oct 1973	BB62427	The Bug 700E and 700ES were discontinued. 62427 was the last chassis number.
Oct 1973	BB6428	The Bug 750E and 750ES were introduced. Similar to the 700E and 700ES but with the larger capacity 750cc engine. /font>
May 1974	BB62569	The last vehical ever produced to bear the Bond name, registration number VLB 249M