Sharp's Commercials

The company was taken over by the Reliant Motor Co Ltd of Tamworth, Staffordshire in February 1969, who eventually closed the Preston factory at the end of July 1970, transferring the spare parts business for the Bond Minicar, 875 saloon, 875 Ranger van and Equipe models to a firm called Bob Joyner & Son in Oldbury in the English Midlands.

The doors had slightly revised glass, to accommodate the fibreglass fastback roof and rear assembly.

The Herald's forward hingeing bonnet was replaced with a revised version giving an excellent, clean sportscar-like appearance.

In front, the beautiful Italianate bonnet styling was somewhat compromised by the addition of the quad headlights from the Triumph 2000, flanking a cut-down version of the original Herald grille.

During the life of this car, it was not uncommon to see Triumph Heralds modified by the fitting of a Bond Equipe bonnet, as all the side body lines matched perfectly.

At the rear, the Lucas triple-bullet tail-lamps were replaced and this version of the car began to resemble the later Reliant Scimitar SS1, which would not in fact appear for another twenty years.

Finished in a lurid orange, the Bug had a "wedge" body styled by Tom Karen of Ogle Design.

Lacking conventional doors, entry was gained by swinging the roof upwards on a pair of hinges.