Bond Bug 3 Wheeler
Hi all, for quite a few years now Ive been making Model Oval Racing Reliants - the full size versions are quite a big scene in England!
Anyway Ive known about this body shell for quite a while, but have been unable to source it. I managed to get my grubby mitts on one last friday and set to making it :-)
Ive used one of my 'normal' Reliant chassis, I had to narrow it slightly and move the front wheel a little but it wasnt as bad as I thought it was going to be.
It has a Mardave R12 rear axle and wheels fitted with Precision Gold Tyres, the front is a Cattel 3 Spoke Stock car wheel fitted with a Precision Blue tyre.The motor mounts are Mardave V12/R12 as is the front upright. The wishbone is something I had left over from another project, its a GRP item the same dimensions as the Mardave wishbone but only 1.5mm thick, Using this raised the front as it was a little low.
I havnt yet put any radio gear in it - its going to be a squeeze lol - there are no official 3 wheeler rules but theres kind of a 'gentlemans agreement' that they are the same as 1/12 Bangers ie: Mabuchi motors, resistor speedos and full contact!
The photos at the end are for reference - apart from about 5 they were all bright orange - easy to spot :-)
now I need to go and get some orange paint - back soon!
This is as striking as the real thing!
bit of a snug fit
Ill cut away some of the motor mounts and chassis
Original sales picture
Superb!
Great minds think alike lol
If you liked those pictures, you should see these...
Mardave Based Reliant Regal van
Comments
Jammer
Very cool!
Blacque Jacque
AWESOME!! I haven't seen a Bond Bug for years.
jeffy
Yeah baby yeah. My uncle had a 1/1 of these wow Orange with the black canvas doors
Didn't they do them in lime green too????
bugjammer
At the risk of sounding a total anorak they did paint a few in other colours that were used for promotional jobs, the lime green ones were for Roses Lime cordial and they also did some white ones for Rothmans - Hmm theres a paint scheme to consider....
TWINSET
I take it you seen this too?
[Click here]
bugjammer
It was produced as quite a comprehensive kit and Ive not seen 2 that look the same, they seemed to have been made on the running gear from old Mardave Ministocks but I think parts availability has killed the project - the builders website was last updated over a year ago.
bugjammer
took some doing but I found it again lol
[Click here]
TWINSET
Cracking looking shell though chap _ I used to see a 1:1 in Oxford a lot, but not lately
Looking forward to the 'extra info shots, Halfords do a reasonable VW 'brilliant' orange
[Click here]
bugjammer
Aha the mighty brilliant orange - the one I picked up this afternoon lol, much used in my household, looks good on a sand rover too
gooseneck1
That`s a fine Idea.I start a rebuild of a Simitar SS1 from 1986.But in Germany it`s difficult to get same Parts.But the Reliant-Company build very good(and some funny)Cars.Can`t wait see your Bug complete.Greetings Matt
bugjammer
Like so many English companies Reliant were great engineers but very poor businessmen, makers of one of the best ever english engines -an all alloy 4 cylinder that was so good it even had its own race series
Davecul
May I suggest Lotus Chrome Orange as an alternative orange paint colour? It's a really stunning colour. It's been used on recent models as well so shouldn't be hard to find, in theory....
amigamad
Absolute great model i always like to see these in 1/1 form as well .
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