Just wanted to pay tribute to my faithful Bantam…
My Bantam Bakkie
She notched 250 000 km the other day and has earned me many times her worth. I am in total awe of her performance these last 5 years. I could tell you a story or 10 of how I’ve had to ‘druk’ her and maybe, just maybe then you would understand the deep sense of pride I have for her. I spend mannnnnny hours in her daily & I am forced to work (‘druk’) her to the max all day…most days.
While I have been thru many sets of tyres and brakes, she does not leak a drop of oil and what she burns is negligible!! Amazing! Let me say – we are not talking open road mileage here, although that is part of it (& much easier on the motor etc). No, I subject her to 10 hours a day of intensive stop start stress around the city…often with a heavy load. In 5 years I have only had to replace the clutch & shocks once. The body & chassis have held together well. I have hardly spent a cent on engine repairs apart from regular services which I do myself every 20 000km.
She’s nippy & tight on the road and carries a load well. Ok, so if every cloud has a silver lining then surely the reverse is true. What’s the catch with the Ford Bantam? Aha…now you’re asking. I wish she was a rear-wheel drive. That’s the only thing I can crit her on – honest. Perfect in every other way for what I need her for, but hitch up a trailer & hit the dirt up a hill? Nu-uh! Not good…(that’s a story I’ll tell if you beg)
Ford – built tough – and loving it! Can’t wait to see how much I can squeeze out of her…500 000 maybe??
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