Bond Equipe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bond Equipe | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Bond Cars Ltd |
| Production | 1963-1971 2956 made[1] |
| Assembly | Preston, UK |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style(s) | 2-door saloon 2-door convertible |
| Engine(s) | Triumph 1147, 1296 or 1998 cc |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed manual optional overdrive on 2 litre |
| Wheelbase | 93 inches (2375 mm)[2] |
| Length | 160 inches (4064 mm)[2] |
| Width | 60 inches (1524 mm) m[2] |
The Bond Equipe was a British 2+2 sports car, manufactured by Bond Cars Ltd. It was their first 4-wheeled car, and production started in 1963.
The original Equipe, the GT, was based on the Triumph Herald chassis with a fastback fibreglass body and also utilised further Triumph parts including the windscreen / scuttle assembly, and doors. The 1964 GT4S model saw revisions to the body with twin headlights and an opening rear boot. It was powered a Herald-based 1147 cc engine in the Triumph Spitfire level of tune (63 / 67 bhp)[clarify]. This was upgraded to the 75 bhp (56 kW) 1296 cc Triumph Spitfire engine in 1967 (making the model the GT4S 1300).
The GT4S was joined by the 2-litre GT with a smoother body in 1967. This was based on the similar Triumph Vitesse chassis and 1998 cc 95 bhp (71 kW) six-cylinder engine. The 2-litre GT was available as a closed coupé and, later, as a convertible. This was capable of 100 mph (161 km/h) with respectable acceleration. Horsepower and suspension improvements were made in line with Triumph's Mark 2 upgrade of the Vitesse in Autumn 1968, and a convertible was introduced at the same time.
Production ended in July 1970 when Reliant, which had acquired Bond in 1969, closed the factory.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Robson, Graham (2000). A to Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
- ^ a b c Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
