Bond Minicar

Infobox Automobile


name = Bond Minicar
manufacturer = Bond Cars Ltd
assembly=Preston, Lancashire, England
production = 1949 – 1966
predecessor =
successor = Bond 875
body_style =
engine = 122 cc Single cylinder 2 stroke
1948 - 1950
197 cc Single cylinder 2 stroke
1950 - 1958
247 cc Single cylinder 2 stroke
1958 - 1966
layout=FF layout
transmission = 3 speed manualcite book |last=Gloor |first=Roger |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960|year=1. Auflage 2007 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |id=ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1]
Forward speeds only
1948 - 1957
4 speed manualcite book |last=Gloor |first=Roger |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960|year=1. Auflage 2007 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |id=ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1]
from 1958
length = Auto mm|2640
- Auto mm|3350
width =
height =
weight =
wheelbase = Auto mm|1650 till 1958
Auto mm|1700
from 1958
track =
fuel_capacity=
related =
similar =
designer =

Bond Cars Ltd began production of an economical three-wheeled car in 1949 called the Bond Minicar, powered initially by a single-cylinder two-stroke Villiers engine of 122 cc: in 1950 the engine size was increased to 197 cc.cite book |last=Gloor |first=Roger |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960|year=1. Auflage 2007 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |id=ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1] Bodywork was mostly aluminium, though some later models used fibreglass for parts of the car. It proved very popular at the time owing to post-war economies.

The Minicar moved on through several different incarnations, culminating in the "Mark G" in 1961. Convertibles were offered, as were van and estate versions. The engine was upgraded, first to a single-cylinder 247 cc and then to a 247 cc twin-cylinder Villiers 4T (optional on the Mark G). The engines were essentially motorcycle units and therefore had no reverse gear. However, this was a minimal inconvenience, because the engine, gearbox and front wheel were mounted as a single unit and could be turned by the steering wheel up to 90 degrees either side of the straight-ahead position, enabling the car to turn within its own length.

Reverse gear of a sort was offered on later models, but using this involved stopping the engine and starting it backwards. This was done by reversing the Dynastart unit, a device familiar to students of pre-war DKW designs which doubled as both starter and generator. It operated as a starter motor when the starter button was pressed but when the engine was running it generated power instead and recharged the battery.

At the end of production 24,484 had been made.

Minicar Mark A 1949–1951

The original version had a stressed skin of aluminium and no chassis. There was no springing on the rear wheels, the suspension relying on the tyres. The air-cooled Villiers 122 cc engine and front suspension strut was turned as a unit by the steering mechanism which at first was a cable and bobbin system but soon replaced by a rack and pinion. A three speed motorcycle type gearbox was fitted with no reverse. Braking was on the rear wheels only. The engine was started by a motorcycle type kick start.

The bodies were open two seat tourers with a single bench seat and weather protection was minimal. The headlights were separate units on stalks at the side of the car. Top speed was around Auto mph|35|0.cite book |last=Robson |first=Graham |title=A to Z of British Cars 1945-1980 |year=2000 |publisher=Herridge |location=Devon, UK |id=ISBN 0-9541063-9-3]

In 1950 a De luxe version was announced with larger 197 cc engine and glass replacing perspex for the windscreen.

An open car tested by The Motor magazine in 1949 and carrying only the driver had a top speed of convert|43.3|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 13.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|72|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £262 including taxes.cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Bond Minicar De-luxe Road Test| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = 1949]

Minicar Mark B 1951–1952

The Mark B at last featured rear suspension, independent using coil springs and a 197 cc engine. As well as the open car, a commercial, van, version appeared.

Minicar Mark C 1952–1956

The Mark C saw a completely new body style. The headlights were now in the wings and a door was fitted but only on the passenger side of the car. An electric starter became an option on the 197 cc villiers 8E engine.cite book |last=Georgano |first=N. |title=Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile |year=2000 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |id=ISBN 1-57958-293-1] The steering lock was increased and a worm and sector mechanism fitted replacing the rack and pinion and this allowed the engine to turn through 90 degrees allowing the car to turn in its own length so reducing the handicap of not having a reverse gear. These were the model's best years, with production rising to 100 cars per week in 1955 and a total of 14,000 produced by 1956.cite book |last=Gloor |first=Roger |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960|year=1. Auflage 2007 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |id=ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1]

Minicar Mark D 1956–1957

The Mark D was an upgrade over the mark C, gaining a Villiers 9E 197 cc engine and a 12-volt electrical system.

The Family version had small hammock type rear seats.

Minicar Mark E 1958–1959

The final versions of the Minicar were a completely new design. The body, still in aluminium, was mounted onto a steel chassis. Doors were now fitted to both sides of the body and the gear box became a 4-speed.

The body was offered in Family, Tourer (convertible) and Van versions with an optional glassfibre roof.

The maximum speed was now around Auto mph|50|0.

Minicar Mark F 1959–1961

Similar to the Mark E, this model had an engine upgraded to 250 cc and Auto mph|55|0 top speed and optional reverse gear. A closed saloon body was offered for the first time.

Minicar Mark G 1961–1966

The Mark G had a revised body with the windscreen moved forwards to give more interior room and a "reverse slope" rear window in the saloon models making the Minicar much more like a "proper car", there were even wind up windows and lockable doors. An estate car was added to the body line up and a choice of engines was offered on later mark G models – the 35A single cylinder unit (11.5 bhp) or the 4T twin cylinder unit (14 bhp). Semi hydraulic brakes replaced the old cable and rod operated system of the predecessors and the car was fitted with larger 10" wheels.

References