1984 Bamby Car Mk2
In 1984 Bamby Cars Limited was taken over and production moved to a new modern factory in Hull, UK. At the request of new management Alan Evans revised the Bamby’s design and the Bamby Cars team promptly completed the Bamby Car Mk2 prototype which was painted red. Soon after Alan Evans sold his remaining shares ending all association with Bamby Cars Limited.
As part of the re-design the Bamby Car Mk2 was changed to a Suzuki 49 cc petrol engine with an electric start, and the suspension revised. The handlebars were replaced by a steering wheel like the Bamby Car Mk1 prototype. The car had front hydraulic disc brakes and a 3-speed automatic transmission. Claimed up to 100 mpg (2.35 L / 100 km). The MK 2 had 2 round headlights and a single hinged door. The front and rear steel subframe was enhanced by a full chassis to support the fibreglass body and the engine attached to the chassis. The car weighed 107 kg. The Bamby Car Mk2 price was £1597.
A cross-city car marketed to women. The car could be customised with a rear hatch for easy access to the parcel space behind the driver, and came in a choice of colours of red, white, blue, yellow, and black. The revised Bamby Car was displayed in 1984 at the Ideal Home Exhibition, and even with the support of professional publicity and the keen interest shown by the public, this did not translate into sales and the final Bamby was completed soon after.
Approximately 50 Bamby Car vehicles including the MK1 and MK2 were produced.
Postscript
In 1990 Alan Evans and his family revised Bamby Cars Limited and again made limited numbers of microcars for the discerning collector and enthusiast as had always been intended. The company was finally wound up in 2021 but the Evans family still produce limited volumes of specialty microcars.
MMA Models
References
- Small Cars Club, Microcars, 3-wheel cars and small cars 2019, viewed 5/03/2021, https://small cars club.com/catalog/bamby/bamby/
- Wikipedia, Bamby Cars, 2020, viewed 5/03/2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamby_Cars
- ClassicCarWeekly.net Bamby, posted November 18, 2016, viewed 5/03/2021, http://www.classiccarweekly.net/2016/11/18/1984-bamby/
- Alan Evans, 2020 and 2021, personal communique.
- Aberdeen Press and Journal 15 March 1984.