The Bond Bug was launched in June 1970 and
was specifically aimed at the younger motorist and although
not
cheap or particularly
practical, it more than made up for
this with styling that made it an instant hit and it turned
heads wherever it went. The 700ES
was the top of the range model and featured such optional
extras as; alloy rear wheels, wing mirrors, sports tyres,
upgraded interior and a "formula-1" style steering
wheel. Despite a price tag of £629 the 700ES proved
to be the most popular model.
Despite its sporting looks
however, the Bug was not exactly sparkling in performance
and handling was cause for some adverse comment, but from
the driving seat it certainly felt fast according to satisfied
owners!
Behind the scenes at the Preston factory things were not
so bright and cheerful however and the Bug certainly seemed
to have more than its fair share of problems. Though with
such a radical design and with components, including the
bodyshells, being produced in Tamworth and shipped up to
Preston for final assembly, perhaps this was hardly surprising.
In all the first 500 production vehicles were built at
Preston and although many of the problems were ironed out,
there remained friction between the two companies and in
July 1970 the factory was closed and production, perhaps
more logically was relocated at Tamworth.
Despite all the attention from the media and almost universal
recognition wherever it went, the Bug was never a big seller
and by 1972 production was limited to the 700ES model with
only around 15 vehicles a week being built. Reliant finally
bid farewell to the Bug in 1974 when the last cars built
left the factory in May of that year. The moulds were,
however,
apparently retained and were later
sold off, leading to a re-launch of some variations
of the original Bond Bug.
The history of the Bond Bug,
March 1970 to May 1974
|
Date
|
Chassis
|
Notes
|
|
Mar 1970
|
BB60001
|
Model 700E only
[more information]
|
|
May 1970
|
BB60115-45
|
Models all 700E model cars apart from the one and
only basic 700 ever to be built.
[more information]
|
|
July 1970
|
BB60700-999
|
No record can be found for any of
these chassis numbers. Production no longer at Preston
Production starts at Tamworth BB61000.
[more information]
|
|
Aug 1971
|
BB61445
|
A new gearbox with synchromesh on all gears.
[more information]
|
|
Sep 1972
|
BB61696
|
Steering column shortened to allow for a dished
steering wheel that conformed to the latest safety
regulations.
[more information]
|
|
Apr 1973
|
BB62???
|
700 was officially discontinued.
[more information]
|
|
Oct 1973
|
BB62427
|
700E and 700ES were discontinued.
[more information]
|
|
Oct 1973
|
BB62428
|
750E and 750ES were introduced with the larger capacity
750cc engine.
[more information]
|
|
May 1974
|
BB62569
|
The last vehicle ever produced to bear the Bond
Bug name, registration number VLB 249M
[more information]
|
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.
May 1974 BB62569
The last vehical ever produced to bear
the Bond name, registration number VLB 249M
Bug production = 2,268
Body Types
Bug 700 - 1
Bug 700E and ES - 2125
Bug 750E and ES - 142
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.
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