1965 Bond Equipe

Bond Equipe GT4S (Coupe), 1964-1967

The Bond Equipe GT4S was in production from 1964-1967. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive coupe seating two adults and two children.

Launched in 1964, the Equipe GT4S was a redesign of the outgoing GT 2+2. Now advertised as a full four seater, the roof was higher and the rear now incorporated a bootlid to offer access to the small luggage compartment. Where the previous model had been marketed as a Spitfire alternative, the new car was targeted at the narrow band of people who wanted more performance than a Herald but to stick with four cylinders rather than opt for the six pot Vitesse. The engine was upgraded, now in Spitfire Mk2 specification albeit still at 1147cc. Pricing was virtually unchanged, even though the package offered more for your money than before.

Like its predecessor, the GRP shell was one of its strongest selling points. Not only was it lighter than steel, but it would never rust away. A Bond could therefore be a long term investment for the right buyer, if the Herald chassis underneath was kept in good condition. The Herald underpinnings also made it entertaining to drive, with good steering, a taxi-beating turning circle and a rear end that could give a talented driver some fun in the corners. Almost 2000 GT$S models were built before the car was discontinued in 1967, in favour of the larger and more powerful Equipe Two Litre which used Vitesse running gear under a new and rakish bodyshell.

In period, Autocar considered the Mini Cooper, SAAB 96 Sport and Volkswagen Karmann Ghia to be rivals for the Equipe - though the Mini was far cheaper and the two foreign models considerably more expensive. The Triumph Vitesse was the most natural rival, though again this was cheaper and less well-equipped than the Bond. A Sunbeam Rapier IV might have made an interesting alternative, though it was dated looking in period. Today we'd advocate a Spitfire as an alternative if rear seat space wasn't vital, and a Mk1 Capri 1300 if you needed the space in the back.