1970 Bond Bug 700ES
Discussion
At 54 years old in August, the Bug must have been a sight to behold on the streets in 1970. The shape must have been pretty futuristic and started a wedge revolution in the 70s.
They were a rare sight even in the 70s, as a kid I saw a handful and where I grew up I maybe saw 6 or seven passing through.
I’ve owned mine for over 5 years now and it really is a blast to drive around on todays roads.
Since i got it I’ve fitted new brakes and hoses, fuel tank and hoses, ally radiator, waterpump and hoses, fully adjustable coil overs all round, alloy wheels all round with wider 13” diameter on the rear, new ally fuel tank and hoses, a little tlc to the paintwork and interior. Other than that it gets serviced every Spring ready for camping Bug meets. We manage to get all our camping gear in the boot and passenger footwell and it’s great fun driving it all over the place. The most miles we’ve done in one weekend was a 450 mile round trip to the 50th Bug anniversary in Henlow 3 years ago. It was delayed a year due to Covid. Here’s to another year of Bugging
They were a rare sight even in the 70s, as a kid I saw a handful and where I grew up I maybe saw 6 or seven passing through.
I’ve owned mine for over 5 years now and it really is a blast to drive around on todays roads.
Since i got it I’ve fitted new brakes and hoses, fuel tank and hoses, ally radiator, waterpump and hoses, fully adjustable coil overs all round, alloy wheels all round with wider 13” diameter on the rear, new ally fuel tank and hoses, a little tlc to the paintwork and interior. Other than that it gets serviced every Spring ready for camping Bug meets. We manage to get all our camping gear in the boot and passenger footwell and it’s great fun driving it all over the place. The most miles we’ve done in one weekend was a 450 mile round trip to the 50th Bug anniversary in Henlow 3 years ago. It was delayed a year due to Covid. Here’s to another year of Bugging
Edited by Jumturbo on Wednesday 27th November 22:30
Mr Tidy said:
Glad you started this thread. 
I remember they were seen as a bit of a joke back in the 70s but now they strike me as a bit of nostalgic fun!
Looking at your rear wheels you must have a friendly MOT tester.
No MOT required and tax is free I remember they were seen as a bit of a joke back in the 70s but now they strike me as a bit of nostalgic fun!
Looking at your rear wheels you must have a friendly MOT tester.
To be honest even the original Dunlop/Exaction alloys stick out about an inch, but as long as the tread doesn’t stick out it’s ok. I do fit some subtle arch extensions but they don’t always stay in place
Fastpedeller said:
That's great. I always like the Bug. At one time there was someone who sol 4-wheeler bugs using modified moulds and the front subframe of a mini IIRC, I don't know if they ever sold (or indeed were 'better')? Baines bug? (or something similar)
A company called Webster started making 3 and 4 wheel Bug kit cars in the early 90s using original moulds. They only sold a couple of 3 wheelers and 6 or 7 4 wheelers. There is at least one of each that turns up at meets Jumturbo said:
Fastpedeller said:
That's great. I always like the Bug. At one time there was someone who sol 4-wheeler bugs using modified moulds and the front subframe of a mini IIRC, I don't know if they ever sold (or indeed were 'better')? Baines bug? (or something similar)
A company called Webster started making 3 and 4 wheel Bug kit cars in the early 90s using original moulds. They only sold a couple of 3 wheelers and 6 or 7 4 wheelers. There is at least one of each that turns up at meets 
There were several bugs at one of the Kit Car shows a few years ago - great to see them. If only it were possible to make a new one, but any rear axle would be too wide nowadays!
Mars said:
Jumturbo said:
Oh man, I love any type of club meet-up like that. I used to drive all over Europe for two weeks at a time in a Caterham (with a large group of others) which now looks like a bloody limo next to the luggage space you've got there. Bug boots aren’t too bad, we manage to get a pop up tent with extra canopy and ground sheets in there, plus sleeping bags and the rest of our gear. No trailer or roof box needed
996Type said:
Love the Bond Bug, a teacher at my school drove one in the mid 80’s and it looked like a space ship in the car park.
Great work on the trips you’ve taken in it!
Are they quite harsh on long journeys or do you just get used to them?
You get used to them. They aren’t geared for much more than 75mph, but it’s not pleasant above 65 so we tend to avoid motorways, although sometimes we have to. We did 100 miles up the M1 once but just cruised at 60 with the HGVs lolGreat work on the trips you’ve taken in it!
Are they quite harsh on long journeys or do you just get used to them?
Ride isn’t bad, especially with the adjustable coilovers ax you can set the comfort levels
Fastpedeller said:
Jumturbo said:
Fastpedeller said:
That's great. I always like the Bug. At one time there was someone who sol 4-wheeler bugs using modified moulds and the front subframe of a mini IIRC, I don't know if they ever sold (or indeed were 'better')? Baines bug? (or something similar)
A company called Webster started making 3 and 4 wheel Bug kit cars in the early 90s using original moulds. They only sold a couple of 3 wheelers and 6 or 7 4 wheelers. There is at least one of each that turns up at meets There were several bugs at one of the Kit Car shows a few years ago - great to see them. If only it were possible to make a new one, but any rear axle would be too wide nowadays!
Northbrook said:
Nice!
What's the cornering like? I have no idea how different it might be to a four-wheel car.
They aren’t bad at all, the engine is in the centre of the car between the driver and passengers legs. It’s actually mid engined technically, same as a Robin/Rialto, but is much better as it’s lower and mine has wider rear track plus the adjustable coilovers. I’ve never come close to cocking a rear wheel, but I have had it drifting when accelerating out of tight bends. You get used to it and drive within its limits, but set up dictates how you drive itWhat's the cornering like? I have no idea how different it might be to a four-wheel car.
Jumturbo said:
Northbrook said:
Nice!
What's the cornering like? I have no idea how different it might be to a four-wheel car.
They aren’t bad at all, the engine is in the centre of the car between the driver and passengers legs. It’s actually mid engined technically, same as a Robin/Rialto, but is much better as it’s lower and mine has wider rear track plus the adjustable coilovers. I’ve never come close to cocking a rear wheel, but I have had it drifting when accelerating out of tight bends. You get used to it and drive within its limits, but set up dictates how you drive itWhat's the cornering like? I have no idea how different it might be to a four-wheel car.
How do you change a front wheel?
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