Lawrie Bond, with assistance from his wife, designed the first Minicar and contracted with Sharps Commercials to build it, the first Minicar A being produced in 1949. It's design was basic, having no rear suspension, wire and bobbin steering, plexiglass windscreen and no starter motor. Power came from a 122cc Villiers 2-stroke engine, later 197cc for the Mark B in 1951, and the egine was attached to the single front wheel and steered with it. Lawrie Bond left the project soon after production started, leaving further development to Sharps Commercials who changed their name to Bond Cars in 1965. Sharps Commercials attempted to build a commercial vehicle of their own design but similar in concept to the Minicar, but after one prototype gave up and developed van and pickup versions of the Minicar from 1951. The Model C entered production in late 1952, now with separate front wings (in place of the 'Bumper Car' rounded front), and the headlamps securely contained in the wings instead of stuck onto the bonnet sides. Better brakes, Flexitor suspension, and a revised engine mounting were given to the Mark C. Body designs offered were open tourers and the enclosed saloon 'Safety' models, as well as a short-lived Sharps Minitruck. The Mark C was in production from 1952-56 and improvements were made, including a newer version of the Villiers engine and change of body panels from aluminium to fibreglass, and rack/pinion steering. The Mark D was produced from 1956 to 1958 with a new version of the Villiers 197cc engine, 12 volt electrics, better lighting, and reverse gear obtained by firing the engine in the opposite rotation. Although a Mark E was announced in 1956, this did not go into production and was further developed as the Mark F for 1959. Most noticeable was the new 'full width' body without separate wings, full size headlamps and new grille, and a 264cc Villiers engine. The Minicar Mark F offered 3-seat tourer bodywork, 3-seat coupe, 4-seat family sedan, Minivan and a new single seat Ranger Van. Looking similar to the Mark F, the Mark G launched in 1961 actually had extensive revisions to the bodywork, including a reverse-slope rear window (like the Ford Anglia) for more rear headroom, and a further revised Villiers 247cc engine. As well as the Ranger Van version, there was also an Estate version with extended back. Changes to Purchase Tax priced the Bond Minicar unfairly and production halted in November 1966.