1956 Bond Mk D Deluxe, 197 cc. Registration number OAW728. C...

Hammer

£5,200

1956 Bond Mk D Deluxe, 197 cc. Registration number OAW728. Chassis number H11/12381DC (Note the V5C states 411/12381DC). Engine number 372B/631.
The original Bond Minicar was conceived and designed by Lawrence Bond. It was built in Preston, Lancashire by Sharp's Commercials Limited - a member of the Loxhams and Bradshaw Group of companies. Production eventually commenced in January 1949. This, the Mark A, proved very popular due to the post war economies and pioneered the 18 year production run of Villiers two-stroke powered Minicars. Production finally ceased with the Mark G in December 1966.
The Mark D had an identical body style to the earlier Mark C, with a Standard/Deluxe 2/3 seater Tourer and a Standard/Deluxe 4 seater Family Safety model available. They used the new Villiers 9E, 197cc engine with a 3 speed direct change gearbox, 4 plate clutch and a heavier drive chain. All models featured a 12 volt electrical system, separate sidelights incorporated into the headlamps, chrome headlamp hoods, front wing side flashes and a grab handle on the dash. Deluxe vehicles had engines with a Siba Dynastart and bumpers were fitted front and rear. Like the Family Safety models, Tourers also now had the same rear apron fitted between the body and the bumper. Any model could be specified with a glass fibre hard top. Total Mark D Production was 3,761.
The Bond Equipe, was introduced in 1963, the engine and chassis were taken from the Spitfire and Herald / Vitesse range whilst the main body parts were made in glass fibre by Bonds. In February 1969 Bond was bought by Reliant who were also manufacturers of three and four-wheeler vehicles and in 1970 they produced the Bond Bug. The final Equipes were produced in August 1970 and the Bug in 1974; the name Bond disappeared from the motoring world.
OAW was first registered on the 16th November 1956, little is known of its early history but in April 2016 Robert Purton of Hornchurch taxed it, in February 2017 Brian Lacey of Ipswich bought it and bought £459 of spares from the owners club for it, including wheel bearings and brake equipment, to recommission it. Our vendor, bought it in January 2018 but has used it sparingly as his legs, at 36", are too long to drive it comfortably, so he is reluctantly selling it.
Sold with the V5C, receipts from 2017 and a Bond Mark D instruction book.