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Tom Karen RIP - designer of Bond Bug - Xileno

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64152...9

The designer of the Bond Bug has died aged 96. The Bond Bug is a car I've always wanted to have a go in but I'm sure I would soon regret it - noisy and uncomfortable for sure but probably huge fun.

He also designed the Raleigh Chopper. I had a yellow one. As a bike it wasn't much use but for pottering around in style it was great.

Tom Karen RIP - designer of Bond Bug - RT

Tom also designed the Reliant Scimitar GTE

Tom Karen RIP - designer of Bond Bug - corax

I never liked the chopper much as a kid, but the gearshift position was interesting. Preferred the Raleigh Grifter, but the ultimate was the Bomber. I always wanted one but had to settle for 'borrowing' a mates sometimes to go to the shops, but I would take a slightly longer detour because I liked riding it.

Tom Karen RIP - designer of Bond Bug - badbusdriver

Tom also designed the Reliant Scimitar GTE

He also designed the 'Land Speeder' used by Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars film!

Tom Karen RIP - designer of Bond Bug - John Boy

The Guardian also has an article about him. I found the second paragraph seems to sum up his special talent rather well.

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/jan/03/tom-k...n