Mazda Bongo

Mazda Bongo
Mazda Bongo
Manufacturer Mazda
Also called Mazda E-Series
Mazda Access
Ford Econovan
Production 1966-present
Assembly Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia[1]
Class Van

The Mazda Bongo, also known as Mazda E-Series and Mazda Access, was a van manufactured by Japanese automaker Mazda from 1978 to 2001.

Contents

First generation (1966-1975)

First generation Bongo

Mazda introduced its small van, the Bongo, in May 1966. It featured a rear-mounted 782 cc water-cooled OHV SA 4-stroke engine driving the rear wheels. The rear engined Bongo was produced in two versions from 1968, as the F800 was joined by the bigger engined F1000. Production ended in 1975, due to Mazda suffering serious economic troubles and upcoming stricter emissions regulations for 1976. This model retained the same body shape for its 10 year production life, the later models fitted with inertia-reel seat belts, and separate front parking indicator lights.

The rear engined Bongos had a full chassis (using the same mazda 1000 engine as other variants mounted to a 4 speed transaxle at the rear) and were very strong and due to the low gearing, able to carry half a ton. Due to rust and poor maintenance, these Bongos are now few and far between. Exact numbers are not known, but a worldwide register [1] is currently being constructed to track all remaining examples.

The 1000 pickup and Bongo chassis are different, with common front suspension and brake components.

Second generation (1977-1983)

Second generation Bongo

The next Bongo van appeared in September 1977. 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

  • 1978 1,272 cc TC, 60 hp (44 kW)
  • 1978-1982 1,586 cc NA, 80 hp (59 kW)
  • 1979-1980 1,415 cc UC, 70 hp (52 kW)


Third generation (1983-1999)

Third generation Bongo

The Bongo was redesigned for 1984 with new engines. It was also sold by Ford in Asia as the "Spectron". A new long-wheelbase version known as the Bongo Brawny was also introduced, three months before the regular Bongo. In export markets this model was again sold as the E-series.

Engines

Petrol

  • 1984-1985 1,415 cc UC
  • 1983-1988 1,789 cc F8
  • 1983-1988 2.0 cc FE

Diesel

model ss28

Fourth generation (1999-present)

In June 1999, a new generation of Bongo vans and trucks went on sale. It was also rebadged as the Ford Econovan, Mitsubishi Delica, and Nissan Vanette.

Bongo Friendee (1995-2005)

Mazda Bongo Friendee

Launched in 1995, they are usually (but not exclusively) available in automatic transmissions, and come in 2WD (SGL3) and 4WD (SGL5) versions. 2.5 turbo diesels are common in Japan, although there is a 2.5 V6 petrol version available.

Ford Freda

The SG platform Bongo Friendee was introduced in 1995. Ford began selling the Friendee in the Japanese home market as the Ford Freda.

Mazda Bongo Friendee with Auto Free Top

The Mazda Bongo Friendee van SGL, is an eight seater MPV. Some have had Mazda factory fitted kitchens installed within their car, but many others are imported and 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 which 2 more people can sleep in. Flat-top versions are also available.

In June 1998, Mitsubishi Motors began reselling the Bongo. This was branded the Mazda Access in some markets.

In 1999, a facelift version appeared with a revised bodystyle and different engines, although the 2.5 turbodiesel continues unchanged. Air conditioning, climate control and electronic blinds are fitted as standard.

Engines

Petrol

  • 1.8 L F8 SOHC I4
  • 2.0 L RS-V I4
  • 2.0 L FE SOHC I4
  • 2.5 L RF-V V6

Diesel


Nissan version

From 1994 onwards, the Bongo was also sold by Nissan as the Vanette.

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 (and badge engineered Ford Freda) are commonly mentioned in websites as a joke concerning car model names.


References

  1. ^ http://media.ford.com/plant_display.cfm?plant_id=50

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mazda Bongo — Der Mazda Bongo ist ein Kleintransporter / Kleinbus / Fahrgestell, der seit 1966 vom japanischen Automobilhersteller Mazda gefertigt wird. Als Browny werden die längeren Versionen des Bongo bezeichnet. Die 2. Generation des Bongo wurde auch von… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mazda Bongo Friendee — Mazda Bongo Friendee …   Википедия

  • Mazda Bongo Friendee — Der Mazda Bongo Friendee war ein Van der auf der Mazda SG Plattform basierte. Neben dem 7/8 sitzigen Van wurde er auch als Campingmobil für 6 Personen angeboten. Ford verkaufte ihn im Rahmen des Badge Engineering als Ford Freda. Beide Modelle… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mazda Capella — Manufacturer Mazda Production 1970 2002 Successor Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 …   Wikipedia

  • Mazda Motor Company — Mazda (Motor Corporation) Unternehmensform Kabushiki Kaisha Gründung 1920 Unternehmen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mazda Motor Corporation — Mazda (Motor Corporation) Unternehmensform Kabushiki Kaisha Gründung 1920 Unternehmen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mazda Motors Corporation — Mazda (Motor Corporation) Unternehmensform Kabushiki Kaisha Gründung 1920 Unternehmen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mazda Motors Deutschland GmbH — Mazda (Motor Corporation) Unternehmensform Kabushiki Kaisha Gründung 1920 Unternehmen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mazda Diesel engine — Mazda has a long history of building its own Diesel engines, with the exception of a few units that were built under license. Contents 1 Straight 4 1.1 Perkins 1.2 RF 1.3 RF 1998 …   Wikipedia

  • Mazda 626 — Otros nombres Mazda Kaze no Capella (en Japón) Mazda Capella Mazda Capella (en EEUU) Ford Telestar (en Europa y Venezuela) Mazda Capella/Ford telestar (algunas variantes en EEUU y Australi …   Wikipedia Español

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”