Bond Minicar

Bond Minicar (1959 )

The Bond Car Ltd.. began in 1949 with the production of economic, three-wheeled passenger cars, which were called Bond Minicar. They were powered by a single-cylinder two -stroke engine from Villiers with 122 cc displacement. In 1950, the engine capacity increased to 197 cm ³. The body consisted mainly of aluminum, some later models also had parts in fiberglass. The cars were very popular in the postwar period.

The Minicar was built in several generations; the last was the " Mark G " from 1961. There were convertibles, vans and station wagons. The engine was enlarged, first as a single cylinder 247 cm ³, then as a two-cylinder four-stroke Villiers 247 cc (available on request at the Mark G). The engines were basically motorcycle engines with built-in gear and were therefore not equipped with a reverse gear. But this was only a minor inconvenience, because the engine, transmission and front wheel were bolted together to form a unit that could be turned with the steering wheel in either direction by 90 °, so that the car could be turned over within a car length.

A kind of reverse gear was offered on later models, but had to stop the motor and to start again in the other direction. This was accomplished by reverse start the Dynastart unit.

A total of 24 484 Minicar were produced in 12 years.

Minicar Mark A (1949-1951)

The first generation had a self-supporting aluminum body. The rear wheels were not spring-loaded, so that the tires were the only damping. The air-cooled single-cylinder Villiers engine with 122 cc displacement was mounted on the front suspension and was drawn along with it as a unit. First there was the steering of steel cables that were wound on spools, later put to a tooth sector steering a. Dating from the motorcycle transmission had three forward but no reverse gear. Only the rear wheels could be braked. The engine had to be started with a kick starter.

The cars were designed as open-top two -seater with a single seat. The weather protection was not significant. The headlights were on arms to the sides of the vehicle. The top speed was 56 km / h

1950 came out a deluxe version, which had a larger engine with 197 cc displacement and a windscreen made ​​of glass instead of acrylic glass.

One of the open car was tested in 1949 by Car Magazine " The Motor ", carried only the driver with a top speed of 69.7 km / h and acceleration in 13.6 seconds from 0-50 km / h The fuel consumption was 3.9 l / 100 km. The test car price was £ 262 including VAT ..

Minicar Mark B (1951-1952)

The Mark B finally had an independent rear suspension with coil springs and an engine with 197 cc displacement. In addition to the open car, there was also a van.

Minicar Mark C (1952-1956)

The Mark C had a completely new structure. The headlights were now housed in the wings and there was a right door, but only on the passenger side. At Villiers 8E engine with 197 cc of an electric starter was available on request. There was a larger steering wheel and the steering wire has been replaced by a sector gear steering, with which the front wheel has been rotated with the engine 90 ° respectively to the left or right. This allowed the reverse with this car within a car length, which is the disadvantage of the lack of reverse gear was compensated. These were the best years of Minicar; production increased in 1955 to 100 cars / week and 1956 caused a total of 14,000 cars.

Minicar Mark D (1956-1957)

The Mark D was a revision of Mark C. Neu were the Villiers 9E engine with 197 cc displacement and the 12 -volt electrical system.

There was a family version with a small back seat in the style of a hammock.

Minicar Mark E (1958-1959)

The last generations of the Minicar had again a completely new form. The body, which still was made of aluminum, was mounted on a steel frame. Doors there was now on both sides and the cars had four-speed transmission.

There was now the bodies " Family" ( with auxiliary seats, rear), " Tourer " ( Cabriolet ) and "Van " (vans), optionally with GRP roof.

The top speed was around 80 km / h

Minicar Mark F (1959-1961)

The Mark F resembled the Mark E and had a 250 cc engine, with optional reverse gear (function above). The top speed was 88.5 km / h For the first time there was also a closed sedan.

Minicar Mark G (1961-1966)

The Mark G had a revised body and the windshield walked forward, which made for a more spacious interior. The same effect had hired in the direction of travel in the rear window of the sedan, giving the car more the appearance of a "right" conferred cars. There was even crank windows and lockable doors. New was a wagon version and in the late Mark -G models had different engines to choose from: the Villiers -35A single-cylinder with 11.5 bhp (8.5 kW) and the two-cylinder four -stroke engine with 14 bhp ( 10.3 kW ). Half Hydraulic brakes replaced the old operating system with steel cables and linkages of predecessor and there were larger 10 "wheels.