Ford Freda/Mazda Bongo
Manu is my much-loved and sturdy steed. I enjoyed using him so much I’m embracing permanent tiny-home living and it’s now time for me to hand him on to someone else for his next adventure.
Mazda Bongos have a deservedly good reputation for being easy and fun to drive. Manu is a 2.0L petrol automatic and drives like a dream. These little superstars are just as comfortable doing 70mph on the motorway as they are winding through narrow country lanes. Bongos have a cult following for a reason. The engine is in the middle, which means they handle very well, and being an automatic, this van is exceptionally easy to drive. The engineering is from the heyday of Japanese motor manufacture and it really shows. It feels surprisingly large on the inside yet takes up less space on the outside than most road cars.
As I was planning to upgrade the conversion myself, I have just had a full inspection and a lot of work carried out. The base vehicle and engine have been confirmed as fundamentally excellent. Manu would be perfect for someone looking for a budget camper to drive off and use today, or someone looking for a good base vehicle for their own conversion project.
Manu has:
– 12 months MOT
– 4 nearly new tires
– brand new:
wheel trims
timing belt
front droplinks
front right suspension arm
coolant pipe
water pump
auxiliary belt
brake pads (all 4)
brake discs (front)
brake calliper and carrier (rear)
Manu needs:
– a new spare tire and alternator belt (MOT advisory)
– the exterior is showing its age. The wear is all cosmetic and a respray would bring Manu back to pristine condition.
I’ve set the sale price low to reflect the MOT advisory and the exterior condition, so there’s an opportunity to pick up a bargain here. Offers considered.
The interior is a basic yet functional camper-core rear conversion from Andy’s Imports in Norfolk. It has:
– 12v system
– 240v system/hookup
– leisure battery
– LED cabin lights
– 2 burner gas hob
– sink and water pump/tap
– water tank
– dining area with underbench storage
Manu is a tin top, which means you won’t have any roof leaks or issues squeezing under car park entries or low bridges, and if stealth camping is your thing, he just looks like a people carrier from the outside. The blackout glass throughout the rear means the interior feels light and airy without compromising privacy when parked.
Before opting for a tiny home, I had thoroughly explored upgrading the rear with The Hills Campers (Quirky approved, near Glasgow) and I’m happy to refer you to them if you’d like to continue that work. We had figured out a way to squeeze in insulation, a toilet, heater, hot water, outside shower, split charge relay, certified gas hob, and a proper fridge, all without using either the standard side- or end-layout conversions that are used in most Bongos, meaning it is also possible to fit in a full sized double bed. There’s a lot of potential here for a super little all-season, fully off grid, nicely equiped, micro camper.
If you’re looking for a base vehicle for a really unique micro camper, this vehicle is perfect, and if you’re on a tight budget and just looking for something that will hold its value and get you and your friends to some festivals for a couple of years, it will definitely do that too. The van sleeps two, but I’ve crammed 10 in for drinks and nibbles on a rainy day!
The bed is 170 cm, and made from the table and rear seats. It fills the entire rear of the van when made.
The contact details for this vehicle are no longer available because it has either sold or the listing has expired.
Insurance options are available through our partner, Ripe Insurance.
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