A
brief history of the Bond. 
A
brief history of the Bond.
The original Bond Minicar was conceived and
designed by Lawrence (Lawrie) Bond. It was built in Preston, Lancashire by Sharp's
Commercials Limited - a member of the Loxhams and Bradshaw Group of companies.
Production eventually commenced in January 1949. This, the Mark A, proved very
popular due to the post war economies and pioneered the 18 year production run
of Villiers two-stroke powered Minicars. Production finally ceased with the
Mark G in December 1966.
The Bond Equipe, introduced
in 1963, was a complete change 
with tradition being a four-wheeler sports
saloon built in association with Standard Triumph. The engine and chassis were
taken from the Spitfire and Herald / Vitesse
range whilst the main body parts were made in glass fibre by Bonds. The vehicle
was then assembled at the Bond factory in Ribbleton Lane, Preston. The success
of the Equipe led Sharp's Commercials to formally change its name to Bond Cars
Limited in 1964.
The Bond 875 was introduced in 1966 as the
successor to the Minicars. This broke away from the previous design by having
a completely moulded glass fibre body and aluminium doors. It was powered by
the 875cc 4 cylinder, four stroke engine and transaxle unit from the Rootes
Commer van.
In 1968 the Loxhams and Bradshaw Group of
companies was bought by the Dutton-Foreshaw Group. Unfortunately, Bond Cars
Limited (the only manufacturing part of the group) did not fit in with the new
structure and was put up for sale. After an unsuccessful attempt by the Bond
Management to buy the company, in February 1969 it was bought by Reliant at
Tamworth who were also manufacturers of three and four-wheeler vehicles.
It was not long before there were changes
at Preston and one of the first saw the wind-down of 875 production in preparation
for the introduction in 1970 of the Bond Bug. This radically new design came
from the Ogle Studios at Letchworth and was built on a chassis using Reliant
running gear.
Although the Bond Bug had a fairly successful launch in June 1970, it was a difficult time for the new owners. Alleged production and quality problems at Preston coupled with the economics of running two similar facilities meant that by August the final Equipes were being rolled off the lines. (Bug production had already been transferred to Tamworth in July). In December 1970 the Preston factory closed for good. Production of the Bug continued at Tamworth until 1974 when it too was discontinued and the name Bond disappeared from the motoring world.
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