Oxford Diecast 76BUG001

Bond Bug Orange

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation

Manufacturer description

The very quirky Bond Bug into the 1:76 scale series of Oxford Automobiles is classed as a microcar and designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design. The Bond Bug was a small British two-seater, three-wheeled vehicle manufactured by the Reliant Motor Company firstly at the Bond Cars Ltd factory but subsequently at Reliant’s Tamworth works.   It featured a wedge-shape and instead of doors, it had a lift-up canopy and side screens, earning it an unusual canopy door coupé title.  The engine comprised a Reliant 700 cc 14, later increased to 750 cc and it had a 4-speed manual gear box.  Length was 2,794 mm; width 1,397 mm; height 1,270 mm; wheelbase 1.956 mm. In addition, it only weighed 373 kg. 

Our model is based on the Bond Bug 700ES which offered more ergonomic seats a well as more padding over the engine cowl, twin mud flaps, an ashtray and rubber front bumper and a spare wheel.  It makes its 1:76 Oxford debut registered SMW 898J from 1970, the first year of production.

Decorated in the orange and black of the original, there is also some silver trim to the sides and the Bond Bug 700 ES lettering appears vertically above the side wheel arch and also across the back There is also an interesting instruction printed in white round the petrol filler cap – 95 OCTANE MIN 95 PSI. The interior is black too.

The Bond Bug was promoted as being fun to drive with the low seating position giving a similar exaggerated sense of speed as you would in a go-kart! However, its popularity lasted no longer than Reliant’s enthusiasm for producing it.  At a cost of £629 – slightly more than the popular Mini, production ended in 1974, during which time 2,270 were made. They were all orange and black apart from six white ones produced for Rothmans, the cigarette giant.

The Bug is certainly unique. 

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Bond Bug Orange – Manufacturer Part Number 76BUG001 – is a 1:76 scale die‑cast model of the British microcar designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design. The original vehicle was a three‑wheeled, two‑seater produced by Reliant Motor Company at its Tamworth works, featuring a wedge‑shaped body, a lift‑up canopy instead of doors and a rubber front bumper.

The model represents the Bond Bug 700ES version, registered SMW 898J from 1970, the first year of production. It is finished in the orange and black livery of the original with silver trim, vertical “Bond Bug 700 ES” lettering above the side wheel arch and across the rear, and a white instruction on the petrol filler cap reading “95 OCTANE MIN 95 PSI”. The interior is black and the kit includes more ergonomic seats, padding over the engine cowl, twin mud flaps, an ashtray, a spare wheel and the distinctive canopy door.

The full‑size Bond Bug was powered by a Reliant 700 cc (later 750 cc) engine, had a 4‑speed manual gearbox, measured 2 794 mm in length, 1 397 mm in width, 1 270 mm in height and a wheelbase of 1 956 mm, and weighed 373 kg. It was marketed as a fun, go‑kart‑like vehicle but production ceased in 1974 after 2 270 units were built, each priced at £629. The die‑cast model offers a detailed representation of this unique British automobile.