Ivan Smith's Bond Bug Site
Dedicated to all those with an interest in the Bond Bug.
Mum on her Velocette a few weeks ago.
Warminster Bug Restoration
Well its taken forever but the latest restoration took another step closer to being completed today. This is my 3rd Bug Restoration and if I say so myself its not looking bad.
As a tradition and because she is talented in this department (Among others) I got my mum to help with the latest job- Sticking on the transfers. If you have not done this job before its wise to start with the tyre pressure ones and work towards the bigger ones.
I use invisible tape to help align the stickers.
No doubt some wise sage will point out the boot sticker is supposed to be Red - Yes I know But I like the orange so its staying.
Another job completed today was the boot lid lock.
BUG CLUB SPARES
Dave has been busy trying to source spares and has recently found a supplier for the canopy trim. I have been looking along with others for a few years to locate an company that can supply it to the original spec.
If you need a section Please give Dave a ring on 0124 446078 or E mail him at dave_bug_ore@hotmail.com . The cost should be around £7.00 per Metre plus postage.
The 38th Bug Club Rally
Another well attended event with a fine turn out of Bugs despite the rain. It was great to see the continued rise of the Bug with lots of new cars and faces. Well done to Taz Molly and the team for all your efforts.
I'm sure a full report will appear in the next issue of Buggin in the mean time a few pictures.
Don't forget folks next month its the National Microcar rally hosted by the Bug Club again. See below for details.
Nibbs Gizza Bug with Bike engine Matt's Bug
IOM Bug
Bug Jam 2008
The Arctic Challenge
The route back
Day 11
Time to head back home.
Richard had set off early in an effort to get his chassis repaired at a local garage after it had developed a crack and wear on the trailing link support. The rest of us followed a few hours later and met him at the garage where they had done some serious repairs involving welding and bolting on plates. Jeff had also done a more permanent repair on his towing bracket following its hasty repair on the side of the road. This was achieved with the aid of part of a telegraph pylon found by Geoff the day before.
We had to head back down the road we had come up on 2 days earlier it was then a question of heading for Finland. Most border crossing go without a hitch as you just drive from one country to another sometimes missing the border sign. Not so the Finnish Border. I was following Geoff and Elvis in New Blue when the brothers were flagged down by a border guard. I shall never forget this guys face as I pulled in behind the Reliant Robin followed by another Bond Bug then another Bond Bug and then another Bond Bug. It was a look of complete horror- A sort of "Oh god what have I done here". We all piled out and exchanged pleasantries with the guards who were asking general questions on the strange 3 wheelers from England. We had nothing to declare and I doubt whether they had the inclination to search us so let us carry on or merry way.
It was then a case of
driving through Finland but wondered if it was possible we
could blag or way into Russia that was only a 45 Kilometre detour.
The road to
Russia was fairly deserted and at one point I caught site of a watch tower high
above the trees. I suspected the Russians knew we were coming and on approaching
the border signs it said photographs was prohibited. Why I shall never know it
was just a border surrounded by fir trees. Geoff then did his best to persuade
the border patrols to let us enter Russia and then drive straight back out but
as we had no papers they politely refused but did let us take some photos while
a friendly dog checked us out.
We then headed back to Ivalo and what was to be our last night together. From now on it was to be the 4 Bugs on there lonesome while Elvis and Geoff headed off via a different route home. How would we cope with out the Bug Support Vehicle? We still had a bloody long way to go.
Day 12
Geoff and Elvis were up early and packed before I was fully conscious (That's not saying much I'm never one for getting up early). We said or good byes and wished the Lads bon voyage. It was sad to see the lads head off. None of us really new the Payne Brothers well before the trip but on a personal level I thought they were a great bunch and hope to see them both at Bug events etc in the future. We left a few hours later and headed South with the intension of calling in at Lapland to see Santa.
The Arctic Circle in Norway is fairly bleak The Finnish version is a lot more commercialised with its Santa Grotto and Souvenir shops. It had to be done so we popped into see Santa and told him all about our exploits in these strange 3 wheeled cars from England. He spoke perfect English and seemed quite impressed when we told him where we had been. After the obligatory photo I said to Jeff I would like to get a Photo of FGU on the Arctic Circle line that was set in stone outside Santa's Grotto.
The problem was Cars were not allowed in. I argued that technically my Bug was neither a car or Bike so while no one was looking drove it into position then whipped out took some photos and then drove off. Our first night after leaving Geoff and Elvis was spent in Tornio following a 264 mile drive through some somewhat uninspiring countryside. Fir tree followed Fir tree But at least all the cars were running well and we were making good time.
Day 13
The following day we headed south along the Baltic coast where we caught the odd glimpse of water through the trees. All the Bugs were behaving themselves again although both Jeff and Rory had problems with there front tyres. The 2 Bugs had both worn out the off side edge of the tyre for some reason so were replaced at the campsite. Rory was now running radials on the rear with a cross ply on the front but had no ill effects with handling. At this point we gave the Bugs the once over. My Bugs brakes didn't seem as good as they should be so I adjusted them and they now seem a hell of a lot better- Jeff informed me its best to adjust the top front brake shoe first.Today we had covered 244 miles and spent the night in Umea Sweden.
Day 14
As the day before the Bugs had seemed to have settled down to the task in hand and were all running perfectly the plan was not to thrash the cars but to keep to a steady 50. Today’s destination was Hudiksvall in Sweden still on the Baltic with 234 miles covered stopping at one point to admire the local ski slope.
Day 15
Next stop was to be Stockholm where we were looking forward to a day off and this was easily reached with our final 260 mile drive down the Baltic.
Day 16
Stockholm has a lot to see including the Vasa.
The Vasa was a ship that sunk on her maiden voyage in 1628. The ship was raised in 1961 and now has a purposely designed museum. If you fancy a stay in Stockholm its an easy place to get around in with a tube and Bus service. We had a very pleasant site next to a harbour with an easy walk to both a local Pizza parlour and the tube.
Day 18
Our final stop in Sweden was L Junby a 269 mile drive through the South of the country and a very quite site set in pine forests. Yet again no problems were experienced with the cars. We all fancied seeing Copenhagen so the plan was to get fairly close so we could spend half a day sightseeing.
Day 19
The Next Morning following a few hours on the open road we took a ferry from Helinsborg to Helsingor and we were now in Denmark the shortest trip of the 3 weeks at just 119 miles. This left us a few hours to catch the tube and then jump on a ferry for a trip along the canals and waterways of Copenhagen.
Copenhagen is probably most famous for its little Mermaid which attracts plenty of photographers. The next day the visitors had something else to photograph as we pulled up in the Bugs and illegally parked in the coach lane. It seemed we were getting as much interest in our funny little 3 wheelers as the mermaid. Driving in Copenhagen was a bit of an experience. Having set of we were in the midst of the rush hour traffic with only the sat navs telling us where to go. At one point while trying to keep together I dropped a Walkie talkie out of the window and it clattered to bits in the traffic. Fortunately I managed a quick recovery and later re assembled the bits.
It was then a case of Island hopping to Busdorf in Germany a total of 238 Miles. We had hopped to reach Bremen where we had been warmly welcomed by the German host before but didn't make it so camped in yet another friendly site where we cheered on Germany in the European cup. Jeff decided to buck the trend and support Turkey but as Germany won the lynching didn't take place.
Day 20
Our Final stop followed a 340 Mile drive through Holland and across the Afsluitdijk. This is a 20 mile dyke with the sea on one side and a lake on the other. We had driven across this some years ago but was well worth a second look. The camp site was just down the road from the end and it was great to be met by Thomas Toux along with his family plus Lars and Shawn who we had met at Northcape. We were made really welcome here with some bubbly and tails of our travels.
Day 21
Well that was it our final day together.
We had initially planned a stop in Calais but following discussions we decided to take a ferry home to England after the last 289 mile drive.
Our final breakdown happened in Dover with a whiskered plug on Rory’s Bug but it was soon sorted and we said our Goodbyes. Jeff and I headed north while Richard and Rory headed to Hastings for spares.
The further I got home the bigger the grin got. First it was the Hertfordshire sign then coming off the M25 then pulling into Hemel Hempstead and finally pulling into my village. I've done some pretty amazing trips in my 37 year old lump of plastic and FGU always seems to get me home. It was late but my parents heard me arrive and walked down the village to congratulate me.
Altogether we had done 5500 miles each. FGU had used 1 1/2 litres of oil plus some water plus plenty of petrol but had done me proud.
Thanks to all the lads who made the trip worth while.
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As a foot note Elvis has produced a book on how him and Geoff got on with the challenge in their Reliant Robin.
I will post all the details later.
More Photos on my face book
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...8&id=638288762
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As you may have read the Bug Club have decided to take this job on again this year. For full details please see the new page added.
The heading above is the link.
Stiffy's Quiz
Joining the Bug Club
There has been the option on this site to use Paypal as a means of joining the club. This was set up mainly for overseas members to make life easier. The link on the joining page pays the dosh into my account but as Les is now using his Wife's Paypal account could folks who fancy using this option please use sue.mk.d@blueyonder.co.uk as the payment address. As Paypal charge a fee please could you add £1.00.
Alternatively you may wish to use a Bank transfer which is free.
Details for this are HSBC- Manor Road Crawley Account Number 20013315. Sort code 40-18-68
Jeff's Site
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jeffrey.ellis2/
Old Message Board
