Ivan Smith's Bond Bug Site
and Forum
Since November 1998 The longest running regularly updated Bond Bug Site.
Got a Question about Bugs or fancy a general post?
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BOND BUG Live Chat
Updated Nov 2009
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A new addition to the cyber world of Bond Bugs hits the ether tonight. At the moment its just a trial to see if anyone uses it but the world of Bond Bugs now has a live chat facility.
I used to have a similar service some years ago and now with Bugs all over the world I felt it may be useful to re launch it. I'm hoping it could be used in conjunction with the normal forum. Please Let me know what you think of it folks!
Full details are on a separate page
(See Links box below or link above)
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Some old Bond Bug pictures
Derek bought Matt Byrams old Convertible Bug earlier this year and has asked if I can provide some of its history . DBJ was converted in the late 1980s by Andy and Denise Duffield who live in sunny Norfolk. We had many a rally in this area years ago and perhaps its time we went back!. Both Andy, Denise and Matt are good friends and we hatched a plan to visit France for a week in the early 1990s. We spent 7 days touring Normandy and the area visiting war Museums, War Graves, historic villages and generally making a nuisance of ourselves. The photo below is not a Bug break down but a line of parked cars in France. All the Bugs got there and back although my exhaust snapped in half so we bodged it back on. The first night was a nightmare as we couldn't find a camp site and a few night later we were told off by a vary irate Campsite owner for lighting a camp fire OK It was more of a Bonfire.
Andy then sold the Bug to Matt who used the Bug for many years until an electrical fire caused it to be placed in a garage for a few more years before he eventually repaired it and sold it to Derek. Before this however Matt and myself did another trip abroad this time to Germany and the Story Microcar Rally. As now I was driving FGU while Matt was driving DBJ. The Story rally was held at the Museum. This held a massive collection of really rare Micro cars (including a Bug). The area was heavily wooded with beautiful winding roads going up and down hills. While on a little foray I looked in the mirror to see a look of utter horror on the face of Matt. His Bug was on fire with smoke billowing out of the boot. I grabbed a fire extinguisher and we opened up the boot to find a set of curled up jump leads had shorted the battery and had melted a hole in the battery casing. Some araldite soon cured that and if memory serves me correctly he used the battery for years afterwards.
Matt is now restoring the Bug he took to France with the intension of taking it to the 40th Rally next year.
The locals show an interest
More photos Next update!
Bond Bug Spares Scheme
If you need a Bug part Please feel free to give Dave a ring on 01424 446078
Proceeds are ploughed back into the scheme to enable the production of some of the rarer Bug Parts.
If you have a need for a part to be remanufactured please feel free to ask.
E mail
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Joining the Bug Club
Whether your doing a full blown restoration, Have been running a Bug for years or thinking of buying a Bug there's nothing better then joining the club for it wealth of expertise. A Bi Monthly Mag is well worth the fee alone plus the club has a spares scheme run by a dedicated team who know all there is to do with Reliant's. Area Reps are also on hand to supply that local knowledge.
For those looking for there Bugs history the club has records of hundreds of Bugs built (Sometimes enabling members to date there Bug for tax free benefits). Regalia is also available and a very active rally programme where you can always meet some like minded friendly enthusiasts.
Please contact the Bug Club secretary Les Gore for more details.
Lesliebondbug@blueyonder.co.uk
01293 426954
