The Reliant Robin was a car best known for its handling characteristics, although that’s not a good thing. The car, meant as cheap, basic transportation was notorious for tipping over, in no small part to its three-wheeled design. The Bond Bug was an arguably better execution of the idea, however. Oxford Diecast’s tiny model of this tiny car is the Model Car Hall of Fame’s 1/87-Scale Model of the Year for 2024.
In the early 1960s, Reliant released the Regal 3/35, their first tri-wheel car. It was slow, and its slow performance matched its utilitarian design. In the middle of the decade, Reliant decided to try something different. Same number of wheels, but lower and sportier. The Regal Rogue had all the markings of a better car, but Reliant was afraid it would not fit their current image, so they balked at producing it.
Sensing there really was a good car under there after all, the design was sold to Bond Cars Ltd., who manufactured it from 1970-74. The lower center of gravity meant the car was more stable, and was actually tweaked to go much faster (and safely) than the Reliant trikes.
So while there were only 2,270 real bugs made (and almost all of them in orange), Oxford Diecast has decided this obscure little icon was worthy of production in HO scale. Their attention to detail makes this oddity an instant conversation on any model railroad. It also deserves its spot in the Model Car Hall of Fame as 2024 1/87-Scale Model Car of the Year.
The Model Car Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, on January 30, 2025. Thanks to everyone at Spielwarenmesse for having us as a part of their event.
