Bond Minicar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bond Minicar | |
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| Manufacturer | Bond Cars Ltd |
| Production | 1949 – 1966 |
| Assembly | Preston, Lancashire, England |
| Successor | Bond 875 |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine(s) | 122 cc Single cylinder 2 stroke 1948 - 1950 197 cc Single cylinder 2 stroke 1950 - 1958 247 cc Single cylinder 2 stroke 1958 - 1966 |
| Transmission(s) | 3 speed manual[1] Forward speeds only 1948 - 1957 4 speed manual[1] from 1958 |
| Wheelbase | 1650 mm (65 in) till 1958 1700 mm (66.9 in) from 1958 |
| Length | 2640 mm (103.9 in) - 3350 mm (131.9 in) |
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[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[2].
Contents |
[edit] 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 by a cable and bobbin system but this was 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 35 mph (56 km/h)[3].
In 1950 a De luxe version was announced with larger 197 cc engine and glass replacing perspex for the windscreen.[3]
An open car tested by The Motor magazine in 1949 and carrying only the driver had a top speed of 43.3 mph (69.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-30 mph (48 km/h) in 13.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of 72 miles per imperial gallon (3.9 L/100 km/60 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £262 including taxes. [4]
[edit] 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.[3]
[edit] 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.[2]. 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 p0er week in 1955 and a total of 14,000 produced by 1956[1].
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 4 speed.
The body was offered in Family, Tourer (convertible) and Van versions with an optional glassfibre roof.
The maximum speed was now around 50 mph (80 km/h).[3]
[edit] Minicar Mark F 1959-1961
Similar to the Mark E, this model had an engine upgraded to 250 cc and 55 mph (89 km/h) top speed and optional reverse gear. [3]. A closed saloon body was offered for the first time.
[edit] 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.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Gloor, Roger (1. Auflage 2007). Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1.
- ^ a b Georgano, N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
- ^ a b c d e Robson, Graham (2000). A to Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
- ^ "The Bond Minicar De-luxe Road Test" (1949). The Motor.
