The Bond 875

	By the early 1960s Sharp's Commercials Ltd. had become involved in a complete change of direction - the production of four-wheeled specialist Sportscars - the Equipes. However the company still felt that they could compete in the three-wheeler market, but that a completely new vehicle was required to replace the Minicar. The result was the Hillman Imp engine powered Bond 875 launched in late August 1965. The new vehicle's design was largely dictated by the decision to use the advanced Rootes all alloy, overhead camshaft 875cc engine, which was mounted in the rear.
Lawrie Bond was commissioned to produce the initial design concept of three basic models - a Saloon, a GT model and a van on the same basic glass-fibre shell. The project was however beset with problems
from the outset and the launch was originally set for November 1964. Rigorous testing showed up problems with structural rigidity, which were soon ironed out - though with a weight penalty. This proved a problem as there was an 8cwt. limit set on such vehicles and the company insisted on a weight saving policy to the design team, which led to a downgrading of specification that was particularly noticeable with regard to the interior trim. Further delays caused by component supply problems and
	the need to have the vehicle approved by Rootes meant that actual production did not actually commence until June 1966 - at the same time as the last of the "special-order" Minicars rolled off the production line (illustrated above). Publicity was however beginning to gather pace, especially as the prototype proved to be capable of some 100-mph! This resulted in the production model was fitted with the low-compression Imp van version of the engine, which still had a top speed of 80-mph and could return an economical 50-mpg.
The delays in production and the drastic changes to reduce weight led to many prospective purchasers, who had seen the smart prototype 875s, being disappointed and orders began to be cancelled.
Though the performance continued to impress, comments began to appear in the motoring press. Autocar were particularly scathing in September 1966, noting the Perspex windows, lack of door trim panels and front seats more suited to a child's pedal car! The now renamed Bond Cars Ltd. persevered and launched the van version of the 875 in April 1967, with 40 cubic feet of load space - partly due to only a drivers seat being fitted (illustrated above). In a final attempt to boost sales of the 875, the Saloon was given a facelift in March 1968, creating the 875 Mk II- illustrated right at the Isle of Man TT races.
	However, little changed and production never rose above some 45 vehicles per week and continued to decline until early 1970 when the company's new owners - Reliant - discontinued the model, with only some 3,400 having been built. The 875 seems to be particularly unloved amongst classic car enthusiasts - examples have been known to have been given away! - Even the example illustrated left is unusual, as few vehicle breakers yards would take an 875 as they contained little scrap metal and the
engines had often been damaged by the overheating which plagued the model, especially if they were anything less than meticulously maintained. In the left hand bottom corner of the rear window is a complete unused set of new radiator hoses - one owners last ditch attempt to cure the problem was obviously left too late!

What might have been! - Apparently work had started on this striking four-wheeled, Imp powered Bond Competition 875 in 1969, but the project was cancelled by Reliant immediately after their acquisition of the company and the partly completed prototype scrapped.


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