Bond bug
MY LIFE STORY
BY WSC 150K
Like all babies my first few years of my life are hard to remember, but it went something like this.
I was born at the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth some time in July or August 1971 and was sent to Edinburgh on 24-08-1971 to live with Graeme P Chatham of 102 Spring Gardens, Edinburgh.
Then on 08th October 1971 I went to live with John R Clark of 10 Cammo Road, Edinburgh.
From there on 11th November 197? (sorry can't read the date) I went to live Paul John Clark, Ham Road, Wanborough, Wiltshire.
later on in October 1975 John took me to Nottingham University, with him, and later on I was then sold again in May 1978 to a Mr. Glenn Jefferies in Swindon, life at first was good but after a time I was parked in a garage and at first I liked this, has I was in the dry, but it was hot in the summer and cold in the winter and after a while I wished I could go out for a run, but I stayed there for about 14 years, by then I started to feel old and unwanted so I let myself go a bit first my tyres went flat then other things started to fall off or seized up my paint work started to fade and make me look old and I thought this must be the end!!.
Then one day completely out of the blue Glenn my owner and this very nice man came into my garage, I had not seen Glenn for along time, I tried to smile but by I felt to old, and I heard this other nice man talking about me, he said I looked a right wreck!! (and I thought he was nice) then they closed the garage door and left me on my own again, well that the last I’ll see of them I though to myself.
A few weeks latter on the 17th July 1993, that man came back with some friends (more insults I thought to myself) but hang on what’s going on, they seem to be getting me out of the garage and now their pumping my tyres up, the man gave Glenn £200 and Glen said good bye to me, well I thought I’m not going any where!! I like my garage. But with that they put a little girl in the driving seat and started to push me up the road I made it as hard as I could for them, I would not steer straight and refused to roll along but they were to strong for me and I was soon outside of another garage, this time I heard the man saying all sort of nice things about me and he had the biggest smile I had ever seen.
I heard somebody call him Jeff, well-said Jeff before I start making you well again I better take a photo of you (well you could of give me a wash first I thought).
I was then pushed into a new garage and the door was closed, I might as well stayed were I was I thought to myself.
The next morning into the garage came Jeff, Hello Mr. Bug said Jeff, now were do I start? And within a few hours my body was removed then I was completely dismantled and was stacked up all over the garage and one by one he started cleaning me and painting me, most of the time he was very nice but some times he called me nasty names, in January 1994 he started my engine it felt good, but I got a bit excited and boiled up but Jeff didn’t mine he was overjoyed to here my engine run, then my body was refitted and I was feeling clean and loved and then Jeff hand painted me with some nice orange paint and I felt like the most loved bug in the world.
Then on 17th March 1994 Jeff took me for a MOT, and I got a new certificate, this seem to make Jeff smile even bigger.
The next few months I was driven around and taken to shows where I would stand listening to people saying all sort of nice things about me, and Jeff would look so proud when people said what a good job he had made of me.
Jeff along with a passenger took me on a long drive in 1995 on the Coast to Coast Run, we left Swindon early in the morning and drove to Lyme Regis and from there we joined lots of lovely old Motor Bikes and went to Weston-Super-Mare then we arrived back home to Swindon, and my speedometer reading had go up by 300 miles.
In November 1996 Jeff told me that he had changed his Job and needed my help to get him to work, as I was cheaper to use then his other car so for the better part of six months we drove 30 miles each way from Swindon to Newbury, I did not enjoy this much has it was often very cold, wet, or even snowing but Jeff would keep cleaning me and would often check me over so it wasn’t all bad.
In 1997 we went to more shows and rallies but by now I had lost some of my shine but I knew that I was still loved.
Then in May 1998 Jeff started to take me apart again, and I could not under stand why, he even rubbed a lot of my new paint off, then he took me to another garage and left me there oh no not again I thought, surely Jeff not leaving me.
But the next day he came back to see me and with this other man called Nigel who sprayed me with a fresh lot of orange paint and then Jeff took me home again and I looked beautiful, I almost looked as good as new.
That year Jeff took me to many rallies and at the National Micro Car rally in MerthyaTydfil I won a trophy for best Bug.
In 1999 we went to many rallies including one near York, and I also won the Tom Karen Trophy, this is the top prize in The Bug Club.
In 2000 we went to Bath, Loxwood, Woburn Abbey and met 45 other Bugs and in the voting we only came 5th but I came second at the National Micro Car rally, then in July I was taken to the BBC TV Studio at Pebble Mill for Top Gear, so Jeff could be filmed talking about me along with the Tom Karen worked for Ogle Design, the company who design me, and in October we were on telly, so now I’m a TV Star as well.
In 2001 we have started off by going to the Classic Motorcycle Show at Shepton mallet, then in April I was on display in a show at Stafford County Showground, I also went on some rallies, Micro maniacs near York, Bath (Wiltshire), Welsh Rally, Harewood house ( Yorkshire), Hengrave Hall (Bury St Edmunds), a Local show in Swindon (Wiltshire), and then a 2270 mile trip Around Britain going to John O'Groats then Lands End see link
was very good on all these runs I only had a few small problems IE water in the Ignition, broken Exhaust pipe, around_britain_in_a_bond_bug Three Flat Tyres and a broken Speedo Cable, but none of these stopped me from getting Jeff home, not bad for a car of my age is it.
so now it's winter again and Jeff still takes me for the odd run now and again and for Christmas he bought me a new Battery.
In 2002 due the the very busy year in 2001 I didn't do so many rallies, Jeff was a bit sort of cash I think or he was too tired maybe? so the first rally was a small get together with few of my bug friends at a place near Cheddar.
Then it was time to go to the Bath Rally the was 19 of my friends there and I got 3rd place in the voting (must still have my good looks then), I took Mr Jeep a little friend of mine along in a trailer that made it hard work but it was nice to see how proud Jeff looked has the kids played in it.
After the Bath rally we went to Loxwood we had been there for along time has they only do this rally every other year.
Then I went to the National Rally at Toddingham were I met up with 12 other Bugs and I got 2nd place there too that made Jeff very happy and I felt good too.
The next time Jeff took me out was to the club AGM meeting back at Loxwood that was the last rally of the year.
during the winter Jeff took me out a few times when the weather was good.
In 2003 Jeff bought me 2 new rear shockers and after a good service I felt like new and was ready to go any were.
but I think he only spoilt me because he had been working on that Welsh bug belonging to Chris Powel I know it was in my garage even thou Jeff had covered me up and put me in his neighbours garage.
the first rally of the season was in Wales in was held be Chris Powel and THAT Bug was there as well, and then to top it all on the road run Jeff abandon me in Cardiff and went to speedway leaving me to be driven home by Allen Turley so I played him up a bit and acted as if I had fuel blockage but we got back to the camp site ok.
Next rally was Bath has always it was great, there was 19 Bugs and I got 3rd place.
Then we went to Hengrave Hall (Bury St Edmunds), there was 12 Bug there, I had a small problem with my points and stop, it was raining and Jeff at to make some adjustments he was not happy with me and to make matter worse we were still in Swindon! but the rest of the week end I run well.
Next trip was the National rally and that was some trip? we left home at 5am and drove to Leicester Forest services were we met up with Les and Ivan in there Bugs and Alan in his Honda, then we travelled to Thirleston Castle in Scotland, we spent a week driving around and I all so got 2nd place in the voting out of 13 Bugs.
The AGM week end was near Swindon and I led the road run, and the Pie and Pint rally was at the same place as the AGM and I also led that road run, after this rally that Welsh bug belonging to Chris Powel was parked in my garage and Jeff put me in his neighbours garage, so he can fit a new engine in Mr Welsh.
2004 rally season
After a little pro
At long last Jeff took me out for a drive god did I feel
rough
A week went by and Jeff came in the garage he gave me a bit
of a talking too and said he w
Tuesday 18th May the sun was shining and Jeff drove me to his works and again the next day, then on the Sunday 24th we drove down to Lymington ferry to meet the Bugs that had been to the I.O.W there was Tony, Ivan, Dave, Rory, Harvey, after we had a bit of a chat we drove to Sammy Miller Museum, and then we drove to a Hotel in the New Forest that was owned by a Bug Club member Allen.
After we set off home we travelled we Harvey has far as Salisbury then we were on our own we had a good drive home.
June 4th 8.30am we set off to Yorkshire to the Micro Maniacs rally got there in 6hrs with a stop for dinner and again for fuel, there was 8 Bugs there.
On the Saturday we had a road run to the city of York, and on the Sunday we left to come home at 12:15 and got home at 5pm had a great run.
Monday 7th June Jeff removed all the camping kit and gave me a wash then he took me for a MOT of course I passed ok.
Friday 2nd July: Bath Rally, Jeff had taken me to work a few times, then he gave me a clean and loaded up the camping kit again and we went to the Bath Rally this is only a short drive of 33 miles, the weather was dry but very windy, and there was 19 bugs there.
on the Saturday we had a road run and after a few miles I picked up a small piece of metal and it got stuck in my rear brake drum and started to make a lot of noise so Jeff that to stop and take my wheel and brake drum off, but he was not annoyed just very concern that I was in pain.
Well it only took Jeff a few minuets to sort me out, then we made our way to the first stop on the road run and joined all the others, after this i thought I'd better behave so I went well all the way home.
On the Sunday I came 4th in the Bug club vote, it was very hot on the way home, total trip 137 miles.
Friday 30th July: Loxwood, I've not been out since Bath rally as Jeff not been to well, he did take my brake apart to see if he could find out were that metal came from, so now were off to Loxwood rally, Jeff drove me to the little Chef in Swindon were we met up with Chris Liz and Mr Welsh also Richard and Mr Emery bug and Allen in his Honda, after a cup of tea we drove to Loxwood 88 miles,
Saturday we had a short road run only 57 miles,
Sunday I was voted 2nd best bug, and we drove Home with Allen in his Honda God it was hot, total trip 269 miles.
Saturday 14th August Jeff as spent all day cleaning me, and checking me over and he says were off to Holland next week?
Tuesday 24th August: Holland, today I started my first ever trip abroad, for me and Jeff.
but I have already covered this story see Holland Trip so I'm not going to repeat it all just the dates and miles covered.
Wednesday 1st September, We arrived back in England and drove from the ferry at Harwich to a camp site in Leicester.
we had done 1010 miles up to now, but we are now going to do the National Rally.
Sunday 5th September: National Rally, this is also covered in the Holland Trip report, but we arrived home having done a total of 1235 miles and I don't know about Jeff but I'm ready for a rest, and I need a good Clean as well.
Friday 24th September, AGM Weekend, I took Jeff on a very short trip of 11 miles, to Ashton Keynes.
Saturday road run to Cricklade railway station 76 miles.
Sunday I was leading a convoy to Burton-on -the-water and then back to the camp site, after a cup of teat we packed up and travel home total trip 211 miles.
Friday 8th September, Pie & Pint Rally, this was held at the same place has the AGM,
Saturday the road run was to Castle Combe and I was leading 5 other Bugs we done 34 miles.
Sunday we packed up and went home, total of 99miles.
November 1st Jeff gave me a good clean, and took me out for a short run and then he parked me the the next door neighbours garaged and said I would be safe and stay clean in there, so far this year I have done 2806 miles with out any breakdowns so I deserve a rest for a while.
Year 2005
Saturday 5th February 2005, This was the first time I've seen Jeff since November when he put me in next doors garage, he didn't even wish me a merry Christmas on Christmas day, I was starting to feel unwanted and unloved.
But then this morning the garage door open and Jeff removed my covers, then he re-fitted my battery, blow up my tyres, checked my oil and water and tried to start me up but I was so cold and stiff from being parked up for so long I run my Battery down, I felt so sad I thought he was going to put me back in the garage, but no he got out my mate Mr Jeep and with some jump leads he connected us up together and tried to start me again this time my engine whizzed over and bust in to live, I was alive again.
After I had been running for a while, Jeff took me for a drive it was a cold wet day, but it was lovely to be out again.
When we got back home Jeff put me back into his garage then I found out why I was put next door as there is another Bug in my garage, I hope he is not replacing me??
Tuesday 22nd February, Jeff been in and out of the garage a lot in the last few weeks and he often talks to me, but today he took my light bulb out of my interior light to put it in his other car bloody cheek I though.
Saturday 05th March, Jeff started me up and drove me down to Ashton Keynes were his brother lives he then parked me in a big shed and left me there, I don't like it here, I got a feeling it some thing to do with that other Bug.
last up date March 05th 2005