- Ford Bantam
The Ford Bantam is a "bakkie" (pickup truck or "ute") sold by the
Ford Motor Company inSouth Africa . It is based on theFord Fiesta , and is aSouth African design as well as being produced in South Africa for the local market. The original Ford Bantam (1) launched in 1983 was based on theFord Escort Mk III. It was produced in the Ford plant in Port Elizabeth and later in theSamcor plant in Pretoria when Ford divested from South Africa. Bantam 1 was replaced by the Bantam 2, with aMazda 323 6th generation-basedFord Laser front end, and was also branded Mazda Rustler.The Bantam 3 was launched in 2002, using the
Ford Fiesta Mark V (Code named BE91) front end, but still with the Bantam 1 loadbox and basic rear suspension. It is produced in the same plant in Pretoria (Now belonging to Ford again). Engines were 1.3L 8V and 1.6L 8V SOHCRocam petrol engines and a 1.8L idi normally aspirated Diesel engine. The Bantam 3 shares only the front end with the BrazilianFord Courier , with totally different rear ends.In 2006, theBantam 3 benefited from a mild front end and interior face lift. The 1.8L idi Diesel engine was dropped from the line up.The Bantam is sold successfully as a compact rugged commercial vehicle as well as a leisure oriented privately owned vehicle.
External links
* [http://www.ford.co.za/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1132731182449&pagename=Page&c=DFYPage Ford South Africa]
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