#MyCarHistory
(1/5) As the #BondBug disappeared on the back of a breakdown truck, once again I cast around for a desirable mode of transport. Reliable, smart, comfortable and cheap, I found it in a bombsite car dealer of the type you don’t see anymore. It even had special edition paintwork and a year’s MoT!

Yes, a 1970 Bedford HA van in the unique South East Gas Conversion Unit blue emulsion colour scheme. £125 and not worth every penny!

#ClassicCars #ClassicCarsOfMastodon #Cars #BedfordHAvan

#MyCarHistory Reposted - no idea where it went first time...

(2/5) Yes, a 1973 Bond Bug 700es, just £625 pounds (about £5000 today, plus £2000 to insure – young, working, no dependencies...)

Out into the rush hour and, about 15 miles down the road, the brakes failed. No problem, only the Elephant & Castle to negotiate and the handbrake still worked… Amazingly we got home unscathed and the following morning I put the car up on the ramps.

#ClassicCars #ClassicCarsOfMastodon #Cars #BondBug

#MyCarHistory
(5/5)
...Happily it only takes four drunken rugby players to pick it up and drop it in the middle of the road.

My girlfriend at the time was less impressed at paddling in hot green liquid when we got caught in traffic. It was duly skimmed (allegedly) and fitted with a new head gasket, but the problems lasted until I had to pass it on soon after.

Now I had no money, so the next couple are… interesting. Hope to see you next week.

#ClassicCars #ClassicCarsOfMastodon #Cars #BondBug

#MyCarHistory
(4/5) The Bug was a hoot, light enough that 700cc could move it along to an indicated 98mph (probably closer to 75mph), economical, hilarious handling.

Things to try in a Bug:

- driving in deep snow. The single front wheel randomly picks a rut and you’re left driving at about 30 degrees to the direction of travel, looking through a side window

- parking outside a pub on a snowy road with a steep camber...

#ClassicCars #ClassicCarsOfMastodon #Cars #BondBug

#MyCarHistory
(3/5) Or half-way up, when it stalled and – still no brakes – rolled into the rear of my sister’s Mini. The Mini was undamaged (although it did try to kill me later) but the front of the Bug fared less well. I learnt everything I know about glassfibre repairs from that car and also that Charles Lock Motors didn’t know how to tighten brake pipe unions.

#ClassicCars #ClassicCarsOfMastodon #Cars #BondBug

#MyCarHistory
(2/5) Yes, a 1973 Bond Bug 700es, just £625 pounds (about £5000 today, plus £2000 to insure – young, working, no dependencies...)

Out into the rush hour and, about 15 miles down the road, the brakes failed. No problem, only the Elephant & Castle to negotiate and the handbrake still worked… Amazingly we got home unscathed and the following morning I put the car up on the ramps.

#ClassicCars #ClassicCarsOfMastodon #Cars #BondBug

#MyCarHistory
(1/5) My old A40 having met its fate after the front fell off - cue obligatory Youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM – I scoured the London Evening Standard for a suitable replacement and one Friday night headed by public transport from Streatham in South London northwards to the bohemian delights of Ponders End, where Charles Lock Motors had a prime example of the dangers of 1970s recreational pharmaceuticals.

#ClassicCars #ClassicCarsOfMastodon #Cars #BondBug