In the early XNUMXs, the market for sporty (smaller) coupés became increasingly popular. Sharps' Commercials Ltd of Preston was also noticed. Mainly smaller and spartan minicars were built there. However, the manufacturer wanted to take a step forward and contacted Standard-Triumph. That said “yes” to the collaboration. The result was the Bond Equipe GT which debuted in May 1963.
The Equipe GT - which would later be called GT 2 + 2 - was a very nice result of the collaboration with Standard-Triumph. As a small car builder, Sharps' had specialized in the manufacture of fiberglass bodywork structures. That also became the starting point for the new Bond Equipe GT. However, Sharps' was not big enough to develop the technical components and the platform. Before that, people tightened their ties with Coventry.
Custom Triumph technology
The Bond Equipe GT got a modified one Triumph Herald “double U” chassis. The Bond also borrowed the Herald's undercarriage. The wheels at the front were independently suspended, the rear suspension consisted of swing axles and leaf springs. The engine also came from a Triumph. It was the 1.147 cc engine from the Spitfire Mk1. In the Bond the engine got 2 SU HS 2 carburettors. The engine was rated at 64 DIN-PK (63 BHP) and was paired with a four-speed gearbox whose first gear was not synchronized by technicians. The drive took place via the rear wheels.
Performance not for the cat
It was Lawrie Bond who designed the fastback fiberglass body of the new Bond. If you look closely you will also see elements of the Triumph Herald were processed. The windscreen and (sheet steel) doors are an important indication in that direction. Also the way in which the entire front hinges to get to the engine was one Triumph as well as the front lock. Nevertheless, the body with its sloping roofline and the rather low-cut front showed a very individual and fairly exclusive face, which also promised sportiness. Thanks to the low weight in combination with the nice specifications, the Bond accelerated to a top of 160 kilometers per hour. Performance was curbed by front disc brakes and rear drums.
Luggage: loading via the side doors
The interior of the new Bond Equipe GT was also a result of the collaboration between Bond and Standard-Triumph. The dashboard came from the former Vitesse. The instruments came from the Spitfire. The PVC-finished bucket seats in the front gave it a sporty touch. A special feature was the back seat, which could accommodate two smaller children. The bench was also foldable, so there was an option to transport extra luggage. It is also special to see that the third door was by no means commonplace in those years. In fact, the Equipe didn't even have a boot lid. With the Equipe GT 2 + 2, it was necessary to load the luggage for the rear compartment through the side doors, with the bench folded down.
Sporty publicity
At the end of 1963 the tuning division of Triumph located with the Equipe. There was a SAH Equipe. There was little demand for this, but it had generated enough interest. Sharps' wanted to further exploit those publicity opportunities. It entered the Bond Equipe for the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally, and later the car would appear in other rallies and circuit events.
Sturdy price, limited number of buyers
Despite these advertising stunts, only a limited number of buyers were willing to sign the order form for the beautiful Bond fastback. That was not due to the construction, but to the solid purchase price and the specific segment in which the car operated. In the Netherlands, people paid around eleven grand for the car. And you could also buy a BMW 1800 for that. Or for less money a Fiat 1800 B, a Glass 1500 or one Triumph Speed 6.
End in October 1964 after 444 copies
We already mentioned it: the Bond Equipe GT was a car that was built for a specific target group, just like the Panhard 24 models. In total, only 444 units of the Equipe GT found a buyer. In October 1964, Preston stopped production. It was followed by the GT 4 S, which was presented before the production end of the Equipe GT. That GT 4 S was built until 1970 by the manufacturer now known as Bond Cars Ltd. From that moment on, the Equipe debutant was retroactively called Equipe GT 2 + 2. Anyway an exciting creation, or rather: A stunning machine!
Rare? in the Netherlands there are 3 of this type (red/white/blue)
The red one, which is now left-hand drive, is outside day and night in the middle of the country and is regularly used as a driving project. The blue one can occasionally be seen at meetings.
Apart from the contours, the NSU and the Bond are completely different from each other.
Put this next to an NSU Sport Prinz.