Description
The Last of its Kind; Bond 007 by Frederick W Bond.
Bond 007 is the last of Bond’s Brighouse workshop cars, built in 1928. Brimming with history and with a totally unique provenance, Bond 007 presents an exceptional opportunity to a discerning collector.
Chassis; Engineered by F. W. Bond with the careful oversight of Sir Malcom Campbell. This was the last of three such chassis to be constructed by Bond.
Born in Brighouse in 1890, Frederick William Bond was the son of a local Doctor. He graduated from Huddersfield technical college and immediately entered the engineering world with Karriers Motors Ltd, a commercial vehicle firm. After serving in World War 1, Bond returned home and began his own brand - which was to reflect his passion for engineering and the new automotive frontier. F. W. Bond & Co was formally launched in May 1926, after Bond had built his first 2 cars. Bond built a total of 7 true Bond cars, and 3 special’s in his time. Of these, two remain; Bond 007 and The Nanette Special, which resides in a private collection in the UK.
Bond was close to Sir Malcolm Campbell, and the two families often spent time together. As Bond developed his business, Campbell became an advisor and customer, commissioning the construction of 3 cars with a new sports chassis. Similar in design to that of a Frazer Nash Super Sports, Bond Number 5 was the first of this kind, and was tested as a bare chassis by Campbell at Brooklands during 1927. Light Car and Cycle Car magazine wrote a review on this Anzani engined-car and were impressed, describing it as ‘built very low, and a true speed car from stem to stern’. FW’s passion and skill in engineering was showing great potential.
Number 6 was the first to be fitted with a Meadows 4ED engine and was sold first to Mr G B Palmer, who competed the car in 2 events before selling it to Reg Bolton, a music hall comedian in 1928. Bolton’s son, Peter, recounted the time spent with the car in the 1977 Yorkshire Life. His father had brought the car home and said “You wanted a Bugatti” he said. “Well, I’ve bought you one – from Yorkshire – a Brighouse Bugatti!” Peter had many fond memories of the car and records and photos of Number 6 are retained in the history file. Sadly however, the car itself has not survived.
Bond Number 7, the second car with a Meadows 4ED engine was tested in 1928 at Brooklands and was to become the final iteration of the Bond marque, as financial pressure brought the endeavor to an untimely end. Commissioned by Campbell to compete at the Brooklands Easter Meeting and painted in Campbell Blue, 007 was tested but did not compete, and subsequently sold from Campbell’s Mayfair showroom in Spring 1928 for £600. It disappeared from the records thereafter.
In the late 1950’s the car reemerged from obscurity in the hands of P L Alvin. It was fitted with an ignominious body and in much need of TLC. In the 1960, s a new owner, Mr Sawyer set about restoring the car and assembling the now extensive and growing history file, which is stocked with letters, photographs and magazine articles both from the period and modern day.
In 2018/ 19 the car was subject to a full nut and bolt rebuild, and is now finished in striking black cellulose paint. Sold to the current owner in 2021, the car has been used and reviewed extensively, featuring in car magazine Octane in April 2023, and taking a trophy at the prestigious Salon Prive Concours at Blenheim Palace in September 2022. A composed drive, 007 eats up the miles and is a smooth and powerful - as much now as it was in period.
Now offered on the open market for the first time in decades, this car is an opportunity to own a genuine piece of automotive heritage, and to participate in the on-going story of talent and endurance that was started by F. W Bond. Low slung and sleek, the chrome on the black is sharp. Uncluttered, neatly engineered lines express elegance, power, and the passion of a man who desired to leave his mark on evolution of the motor car. Call Tom today for more information and to book your viewing at our showrooms.
