Ford Bantam
Encyclopedia
The Ford Bantam is a "bakkie
" (pickup truck or "ute") sold by the Ford Motor Company
in South Africa
. It is based on the Ford Fiesta
, and is a South 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 the Ford Escort Mk III. It was produced in the Ford plant in Port Elizabeth and later in the Samcor
plant in Pretoria when Ford divested from South Africa. Bantam 1 was replaced by the Bantam 2, with a Mazda 323 6th generation-based Ford 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 SOHC Rocam petrol engines and a 1.8L idi normally aspirated Diesel engine. The Bantam 3 shares only the front end with the Brazilian Ford Courier
, with totally different rear ends. In 2006, the Bantam 3 benefited from a mild front end and interior face lift. The 1.8L idi Diesel engine was dropped from the line up. In early 2009, the Bantam was facelifted again with new bonnet, headlamps, bumper, rear lights, nomenclature, instrument cluster and interior trim. A Diesel engine was also introduced to the range, the Ford / PSA 1.4 DV4 or Ford DLD engine
.
The Bantam is sold successfully as a compact rugged commercial vehicle as well as a leisure oriented privately owned vehicle.
Ford is to discontinue the Bantam in 2011. No immediate replacement is planned.
Last Bantam ever built left the production line at 11h50 17 November 2011 at Ford Motor Co South Africa. Bantam 1.3I XL A/C Colorado Red Job Number RRB07972.
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
" (pickup truck or "ute") sold by the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is based on the Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
, and is a South 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 the Ford Escort Mk III. It was produced in the Ford plant in Port Elizabeth and later in the Samcor
Samcor
The South African Motor Corporation, known more commonly as Samcor, was a South African car manufacturer created in 1985 through the merger of Ford's South African subsidiary and Anglo-American Motor Corporation, which produced Mazdas for the local market...
plant in Pretoria when Ford divested from South Africa. Bantam 1 was replaced by the Bantam 2, with a Mazda 323 6th generation-based Ford Laser
Ford Laser
The 1985 KC Laser/GC Meteor was the model's first major redesign. All body styles were carried over, with the addition of a station wagon from 1986. A new "TX3" variant, which was half-way between "GL" & "Ghia" in specification level, replaced the "Sport" variant from the KB series. Unlike the...
front end, and was also branded Mazda Rustler.
The Bantam 3 was launched in 2002, using the Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
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 SOHC Rocam petrol engines and a 1.8L idi normally aspirated Diesel engine. The Bantam 3 shares only the front end with the Brazilian Ford Courier
Ford Courier
- North America :This was a commercial model based on Ford's full-size stationwagon line. Its model code was designated 78A.From 1952 to 1956 access to the rear storage area was through a unique door hinged on the side. For 1957 and 1958, the rear access door was a combination of the lift gate and...
, with totally different rear ends. In 2006, the Bantam 3 benefited from a mild front end and interior face lift. The 1.8L idi Diesel engine was dropped from the line up. In early 2009, the Bantam was facelifted again with new bonnet, headlamps, bumper, rear lights, nomenclature, instrument cluster and interior trim. A Diesel engine was also introduced to the range, the Ford / PSA 1.4 DV4 or Ford DLD engine
Ford DLD engine
The Ford DLD engine is an automobile engine family - a group of compact straight-4 Diesel engines developed jointly by Ford Motor Company and the PSA Group . The Ford/PSA joint-venture for the production of the DLD was announced in September, 1998...
.
The Bantam is sold successfully as a compact rugged commercial vehicle as well as a leisure oriented privately owned vehicle.
Ford is to discontinue the Bantam in 2011. No immediate replacement is planned.
Last Bantam ever built left the production line at 11h50 17 November 2011 at Ford Motor Co South Africa. Bantam 1.3I XL A/C Colorado Red Job Number RRB07972.