The name’s Bond… Mk F Bond...

In 1965 I bought a 1959 Bond

Mk F. The publicity suggested that 65mph was possible; I was never brave enough to explore the upper limits of performance, but I can remember 50mph seemed comfortable for the engine and my survival.

I recollect the brakes being just about adequate and, as you might expect, massive front tyre wear. A previous owner had fitted a drip feed chain oiler which lubricated the brake drum and the tortured front tyre, as well as the chain. A stick-on windscreen demister was also fitted which often caught fire. The bench seat was a thoughtful design feature which permitted activities that would have been impossible on the dual seat of a BSA B31.

Once, while I was at a cinema and the Bond was street-parked in central Bristol, some pranksters picked it up, moved it on to the pavement and parked their car in the space! I returned to discover this and so pushed it along until I found a gap big enough to get it back on to the road.

The charging light always glowed when the lights and wipers were used at the same time, but if the battery became seriously affected, the Villiers motor retained the kick-start option which was accessed by lifting the bonnet.

This always amused onlookers but solved the problem of getting home. The reversing facility involved a different ignition switch position that persuaded the engine to run backwards which then provided four reverse gears, so you could actually charge up when reversing. I remember the motor was not very happy in this mode, but it did work. The roof leaked in the corners where it met the screen and defied all my attempts at correction. I also recall there were no door locks fitted, so security was a problem.

I sold the Bond on after about a year. My grandfather gave up driving and gave me his Morris Minor. This was a big step forward to being respectable, but not nearly as much fun!