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What is a Mazda Bongo?
Other than the badge, there is no difference between a Mazda Bongo Friendee and a Ford Freda. (Mazda and Ford are the same company in Japan). We will refer to them as Bongos here.
Bongos were manufactured for the Japanese domestic market between 1995 and 2006. Those that are exported to the UK are classified as unofficial or “grey” imports. Over the years a strong support network for spares and insurance has developed.
In Japan, they were sold as 8-seater weekend vehicles. Once here in the UK many of them get converted in to campervans, with kitchen units etc. But many are still kept as 8 seater MPVs. See here for more details….
For Sale: Latest Addition
There are times when you want to insure a vehicle for a short period of time, such as the day you purchase your Bongo or when you lend it a friend or relative for them to go on a camping holiday. Tempcover have been established to meet this market and have very reasonable rates, but please note that they will not cover vehicles listed as “Motorcaravans” on the log book.
Online quotes via their website at www.tempcover.com
Choices
You have a choice of an elevating roof (“Auto Free Top”) or a flat-top. There are also factory fitted roofs made here in the UK. There are diesel Bongos (2 or 4 wheel drive), or 2 wheel drive petrol versions (2.5 litre V6 or 2 litre 4 cylinder). Front & rear air conditioning is standard on all vehicles. Most (but not all) have electrically operated internal blinds and external mirrors. There is an auto-close system on the sliding door.
The engine is situated mid-vehicle, so neither the driver or passenger seats will swivel, although after-market swivel seats are available. In a standard configuration, there is a 3-person bench seat in the middle of the van, and a further 3 person bench seat at the rear. This rear bench is either on a sliding rail, or will split in two and will swivel up to hook on to the side of the van.
The Bongoland Shop
The online Bongoland Shop stocks most parts and accessories for your Bongo. If you don’t want to order online, that’s fine, just give the office a ring on 0114-2550836. We are open 0930 to 1500 Monday to Thursday.
If you want to order stuff online then you will be asked to create a Bongoland Shop account. You should not use your log in details for the members area of the main website. Club members receive a 12.5% discount by using the current Coupon Code.
About the Club
Founded in 2003, for a ridiculously small fee, members
- receive a quarterly newsletter,
- can access the members only area of this site (including a parts database, factsheets on a wide variety of topics, and members “top tips”),
- receive regular e-mail updates,
- get subsidised weekends away
- find out about the “secret sign”
- get discounted insurance & parts; and (most importantly)
- a “Bongo Fury” sticker for your van.
When you join you will receive a new members pack in the post.