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The Mazda Bongo is a van made by Mazda Motor Corp. of Japan. Since 1978, it has been exported as the Mazda E-Series and as the Ford Econovan.
1966
For more details see http://www.bongovan.com
Mazda introduced its small van, the Bongo, in 1966. It featured a 782cc water-cooled 4-stroke engine driving the rear wheels.
The rear engined Bongo was produced in two versions, the F800 and the F1000 between 1968 - 1978.
1978
The next Bongo van appeared in 1978. It was a mid-engine rear wheel drive vehicle. Ford sold this version of the van as the Ford Econovan, while Mazda sold it for export as the E1300, E1400, and E1600, depending on engine size.
Engines:
1983
The Bongo was redesigned for 1983 with new engines. The Bongo Brawny was a long-wheelbase version.
Engines:
1989
The SS platform Bongo lasted from 1989 until 1998.
1995
The SG platform Bongo Friendee was introduced in 1995. Ford began selling the Bongo in the Japanese home market as the Ford Freda.
Petrol Engines:
Diesel Engines:
- 2.5 Turbo (the same engine is found in the Ford Ranger Pickup in the UK)
The Mazda Bongo Friendee van SGL, is an eight seater MPV. Although never sold new in the UK it is now increasingly popular. Some have Mazda factory fitted kitchen units, but many others are imported & converted to camper vans in the UK. All of them have fold down seats downstairs to make a double bed, and on many models there is also an "Auto Free Top" elevating roof where you can sleep 2 more. Flat-top versions (or "Bongolows as we have come to call them) are also available. First made in 1995, they are usually (but not exclusively) automatic, and come in 2WD (SGL3) and 4WD (SGL5) versions. 2.5 turbo diesels are common in Japan, although V6 petrol engines are starting to appear, and they are absolutely outstanding. Later (post 99) models are a different shape and have different engines. Aircon or climate control, and electronic blinds are fitted as standard. In fact, all the trimmings of a luxury Japanese vehicle
Read more about the Bongo Friendee in the UK at it's Owners club site http://www.bongofury.co.uk/ and conversions from LittleMovers at http://www.mazda-bongo.co.uk also the original importer and converter in the uk http://www.mazdabongo.com
Littlemovers also have their own Wikipedia section: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Littlemovers
1999
An updated Bongo was released in June, 1998 as a 1999 model. At the same time, Mitsubishi Motors began reselling the Bongo. This was branded the Mazda Access in some markets.
Engines:
Trivia
- A first generation Mazda Bongo was used in the movie Mad Max — it was the personal vehicle of director George Miller, who sacrificed his van to a crash scene to keep the budget low.
- The Bongo's submodel Brawny and Friendee are commonly mentioned in websites as a joke concerning car model names.
External Links
- Mazda Bongo Friendee Specs
- Mazda Bongo – Mazda Bongo Specifications from 1989 to 1995
"Mazda Bongo"