Ogle Cars

 Ogle is a Letchworth firm that specialises in selling designs and ideas that it can carry through to a prototype model.  The company was started in 1954 by David Ogle.  In 1960 Ogle moved to Birds Hill in Letchworth and a model shop was established in which prototypes could be built.

 As soon as the company moved to Letchworth work began on several car projects.  These usually involved re-working the bodywork but keeping the chassis and engine of existing cars.

 Early work included an Ogle version of a Daimler (the Daimler SP250) and the BMC Mini Cooper.  Over 80 Ogle Minis were built in Letchworth.

 Other early projects included the Ogle 1.5, a reworking of the 1.5 Riley and the Ogle designed Stirling Moss Cortina.

 In 1964 the company designed the Reliant Rebel and the Triplex Special that was bought by the Duke of Edinburgh. This was followed by the Scimitar GTE - a combination of a sports car and an estate car.  It became a bestseller, putting Reliant on the map.

 In 1970 came the Bond Bug, the little orange three - wheeled car.  Over 2000 Bond Bugs were built and they are collectors items today with their classic retro look.  However, the most famous three - wheel design by Ogle was the Bond Bug’s successor the Reliant Robin.  Less flash, but more practical, this model was a worldwide success.

 Ogle also re-designed the Aston Martin rebuilding the bodywork and features of a standard Aston Martin V8.  The car was widely acclaimed at its unveiling at the Montreal International Auto Salon of 1972, but unfortunately only two were ever sold.  One of its most stunning features was the use of two rows of 11 rear lights and reflectors.  The top lights flashed to indicate left or right turning and the bottom lights illustrated a unique ‘progressive braking’ system whereby one, two or more lights would light-up according to how hard the driver braked.

 However, one of Ogle’s biggest contributions to car development was not a car.  Working with MIRA (The Motor Industry Research Association) in 1972 they launched the Crash Test Dummy and in 1974 child crash test dummies. 

Letchworth Garden City is unique in that it is the World's first garden city, Based upon ideas of Ebeneezer Howard at the turn of the 20th century there is a vast spectrum of building styles. Many competitions were held for architects and there are many interesting buildings. Indeed Letchworth Garden City is visited by many overseas visitors who may be seen walking around photographing the buildings.