While we’re a bit more predictable of a lot here in the United States when it comes to our racing, once you venture beyond our shores you’re more apt to find some off-the-wall contraptions negotiating the quarter-mile. Perhaps those in other nations are more creative and brave than we are, so they simply have more lax insurance regulations, but head to Europe, Australia, and other nations, and it can get weird.
One of the wildest cars(?) we’ve seen modified is a 1972 Bond Bug, a three-wheeled Microcar that now sports a powerful boosted engine from a Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle.
The Bond Bug came from the mind of John Crosthwaite and was part of the Microcar craze that hit the world in the 1970s. The curious and futuristic design grabbed the attention of English motorists, and the car still has a cult following to this day even after its short production run. From the factory, these three-wheeled machines only came with either a 700cc or 750cc engine backed by a four-speed transmission — more than enough power for the small car.
Now, the 1972 Bond Bug in this video from VeeDubRacing is proof that speed freaks will find a way to make anything go fast. The owner of this car ripped out the stock engine and crammed in a 1300cc mill from a high-revving Hayabusa with a six-speed sequential gearbox to put the power down. If that wasn’t enough to make this Tupperware container on wheels fly, a turbocharger was added to the mix so the level of crazy could be dialed up a few notches. The final result is a vehicle that has run well into the ten-second range.
Make sure you watch the entire video that shows just how wild and sketchy this Bond Bug is as it tries to buck the driver out the side windows like a wild horse!