Bond Bug History

The Bond Bug was the final Bond — designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design for Reliant (which had owned Bond since 1969) and launched in 1970. Its brief was to create a youth-oriented, fashionable alternative to the conventional economy car. The result was a radical wedge-shaped two-seater with a single-piece canopy that hinged upward for entry, no conventional doors, and virtually no straight lines. Almost all 2,270 production cars were finished in Tangerine Orange; six were white and six were lime green, built for promotional purposes.

Mechanically it used Reliant's proven front-mounted 700 cc four-cylinder light-alloy engine producing 29 bhp in standard 700 and 700E trim, or 31 bhp in the 700ES with a higher-compression head. Despite three wheels and modest power, the Bug's 400 kg kerb weight gave it a genuine top speed of 76 mph — above the UK's 70 mph national limit. A 750 cc version launched in late 1973 but sold fewer than 200 units before production ended in May 1974, when Reliant redirected capacity to the new Reliant Robin.

With the Bug gone, the Bond name was retired forever. Its brief 1970–1974 run produced just 2,270 cars, but its unmistakable silhouette has made it one of the most recognisable — and collectible — British microcars of the era.