Name Lawrence Bond | ||
Lawrence "Lawrie" Bond (2 August 1907 – September 1974) was a British engineer and designer noted for designing several economical and lightweight vehicles. Amongst which were the Bond Minicar, the Berkeley and the Bond Equipe GT
Bond was born in Preston, Lancashire on 2 August 1907. His father was Frederick Charles Bond, a local historian and artist. After attending Preston Grammar School, Bond worked for a variety of engineering firms, notably the Blackburn Aircraft Company during the second world war. He then went on to enjoy modest success as an amateur racing driver and racing car designer utilising knowledge he had gained in the aircraft industry in lightweight, stressed skin construction. In 1948 he designed a small three-wheeled car for road use and the attention this gained in the media highlighted the design's commercial potential and provided the basis for the Bond Minicar.
In later life Bond ran a pub near Bowes in North Yorkshire where he combined the role of freelance designer with that of publican. Later, ill health resulted in a return to Lancashire, to Ansdell, where he died in September 1974, aged 67.