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Updated 28th April 2008

STRANGE BUT TRUE !!

Liz and I have recently celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary and we decided to get all nostalgic and have a look at some cine film that was transferred onto vhs format for us. One of the films was of a family wedding which took place in Gloucester in 1986. We settled down with a bottle or two to watch the proceedings. Imagine our surprise when we spotted a now familiar shape lurking in the following photos - we'd never noticed it before !!!

The Bug in the picture wasn't ours by the way - the Reliant Robin was though.

Click on thumbnail for a better view !!

We don't know as yet who owned the car but with a bit of luck we may do soon

Also found these as well

The car is Rosie, our first car. Bought as a van and converted into an estate, she took us all over the country and I really regretted selling her. I'm in the middle photo - God don't I look young and handsome !  

More photos off my vhs collection of rallies and shows

On the left we have a photo of one of the modern wonders of the world - Tony Godfrey, the Bug Club rep for the South West of the UK. Tony was the very first Bugger I spoke to in my quest in finding a Bug back in 1997. So you have him to blame for me having a Bug.

Anyway, Last year Tony very kindly did me a dvd of various Bug rallies and the 2006 Rally us Buggers went to in the New Forest. I've managed to pull a few stills from that and these are shown below.

Most Bug owners will have heard of the car on the left.

This is the famous Metronome fuel altered drag racer from the 70s. Built by Mark Stratton and driven by Ed Shaver, it was a Bond Bug fitted with an engine transplanted from the Firefly top fuel dragster.

Here, from what I'm lead to believe is the same car in 1983 - my info may (probably is) be wrong but I'm sure somebody will correct me.

What's this leading to ?

The latest excellent issue of Buggin (the Bug Club mag) had an article regarding a batch of Bugs which were converted to 'create a 4 wheel dragster type vehiclewith Mustang engines capable off 140mph.'

The original article was in the January 1973 issue of 'Car' magazine. Now from the copy I have seen recently, it seems an enterprising Welshman had recently returned from the Far East and had become friendly with the Royal Family there. The Family being car mad and sinking rich too boot, wanted something unusual 'to play with'. So a number of Bugs (the figures range from 75 upto 200 !) were bought direct from Reliant and converted here in Wales. The finished converted Bugs were then shipped out to the Far East to become the Royal Family's playthings.

I'm having a look at various archives and , as yet haven't uncovered any evidence to dispute this story. But then again, I haven't found any evidence to support it - watch this space.

BOND BUG HANDBOOKS & PARTS BOOKS

PHOTOCOPIED FROM THE ORIGINALS

NO OWNERS SHOULD BE WITHOUT THEM

AVAILABLE FROM IVAN SMITH - 01442 232657

Inter National Microcar Rally 2008

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT or CLICK THE LINK ABOVE

JEFF ELLIS  Telephone (01793 341334)    Mobile (07713595563)

Loxwood.  18th - 20th July, Loxwood Village Hall, Nr Billinghurst West Sussex.

The Sussex Bond Owners put this one on (with massive input from Les and Sue Gore)

Nice flat camping area, excellent kitchen facilities and of course the Village Hall as a focal point.

Saturday night quiz night and the infamous Pogo Stick competition

Contact Les Gore 01293 426954

Bug Club 38th rally.  7th - 10th August, Donnington park farm.

Based at Donington Park Farmhouse Hotel, Castle Donington in Derbyshire

40 pitches available with showers, toilets, quizzes, show, regalia, road runs - the list goes on

Visitors since October 2007