(First posted December 18, 2014) We got a lot of Japanese vehicles in Australia, but we missed a lot of cool oddballs. There was one we did get; the Mazda Bongo – a kooky-looking van sold here from 1966 to 1976. Once prolific, now long gone from Melbourne’s curbs, I chanced upon this sweet example in the backstreets of hipsterville.
Toyo Kogyo started producing vehicles under the Mazda brand in 1931. They began with trucks and by 1962 they had entered the car category with the air-cooled two door kei R360 (left). ‘Kei Jidosha’ denoted cars built for the Japanese domestic market that fitted within certain dimensions and were powered by engines sized from 360cc to 600cc. Styled by Jiro Kosugi, the R360 was a great success capturing two-thirds of the kei market and spawned the water-cooled two and four-door Carol as well as the wide-eyed Porter Cab utility.
Mazda’s next move was out of the kei category with the Familia range. Launched in 1963, this 782cc-engined series was designed by Giugiaro whilst at Bertone using styling principles developed from the 1959 Corvair. Things started with the Familia Van (pictured) and soon followed the Familia Wagon (the van with more luxury), a four door sedan and then a two door sedan. It was a very accomplished entry into a larger category for Mazda.
In 1966, the Familia found itself the basis for a cabover-style van, the Mazda Bongo. 148.4 inches long and 56.1 wide on a wheelbase of 78.7 inches, it weighed 895 kgs and could take a payload of 400 kgs. Powered by the same unit as the cars, the first model was the F800 putting out 33kW. In 1968, the ohv four was enlarged to 987cc and 38kW to create the concurrent F1000. Bongos had independent suspension all round, mounted on a full chassis with a four speed transaxle at the rear.
Like the VW Type 2, Fiat Multipla, Corvair Greenbrier and newly launched Fiat 850 Familiare, the engine was in the rear under the floor. It shared the greatest similarity with the 850, being water-cooled and roughly the same size.
When you look at some of the smaller Japanese commercials around at the time, its quirkiness seems to fit in quite nicely. The Subaru Sambar (top right), Toyopet Toyoace (bottom left) and Nissan Homer (bottom right) show a set of styling conventions that didn’t really last. Not quite as graceful as some of the cars that were starting to come out of Japan.
An open tray Cab Truck version was part of the range. The copy for the above advertisement is at pains to note the floor of the tray sits at knee height (460mm for the truck, 450mm for the van).
The commercial potential of this platform was fully exploited, but one model we never saw from this brochure was the glass-topped vista vanette in bright green shown in the bottom right corner.
A people carrier was probably on the cards since the Bongo was just a gleam in some Toyo Kogyo executive’s eye. As with its overseas post-war antecedents, the Bongo was produced and marketed as a mini-bus. It could carry enough adults to fill four tennis courts.
This is an official publicity still, but I’m not sure if the annex was an option for the Bongo or just a prop for the shoot. Growing up in Melbourne in the 70s, these vans were all over the place. But over here it was still a culture of sedan and wagons for family-carrying duties. Maybe every now and then you might see ‘alternative’ parents shuttling their family around in a VW Kombi, but I never saw the Bongo being used like this.
Instead, it was being used like this. According to this ad, the headline claim is supported by Australian Bureau of Statistics data for the March 1976 quarter. The Bongo seemed to have made some serious inroads into the Australian van market, but what was it competing against? The VW had a strong presence here, but I’m pretty sure the Multipla and Corvair were never brought in officially. Maybe some 850s came in.
The light-commercial market over here had been dominated by the larger British vans such as the knock-kneed Austin J2/152 (top left) and Ford Transit. Our version of the ‘sedan delivery van’ was the high-roofed ‘panel van’, seen on the Ford Falcon and equivalent Holdens from the mid sixties onwards. Smaller panel vans such as the Escort were also available.
The Nissan Homer and Toyota Hiace (bottom left) were larger than the Bongo, and were soon to define a sort of standard scale for Japanese vans. We also got some kei vans such as the Suzuki Carry and Daihatsu HiJet which made their mark in the later part of the seventies. We never got this 1969-72 L40 Carry example (bottom right), but seeing as it’s yet another Giugiaro gem I thought I’d feature it.
The next generation of Bongo was a larger, more conventional cabover mid-engine rear drive arrangement. For export it was given the E-series designation (E1300, E1400 and E1600), again using engine size to differentiate models. Ford produced this model as the Econovan and Kia used it for the Bongo and Ceres models. This series lasted from 1977 until 1982.
In 1983, the next generation of Bongo/E-series vans was launched. For 1985, Mazda produced the high-concept Sky Lounge. This state room on wheels included such luxuries as microwave oven, mobile telephone and VCR system (format unknown). It also featured a floor that rose between the passenger seats when the vehicle was moving, probably to avoid that ‘canyon’ feel so common in other Sky Lounge type vehicles.
There is a fourth generation of Bongo still in production under a plethora of manufacturer and model brands, but I’d rather show you the Bongo Friendee from 1995 to 2005. It was built on a smaller platform than the ‘standard’ Bongo Brawny and has its own very dedicated website forum for camping enthusiasts.
When the Bongo as first appeared, it was envisioned to be an electrically powered vehicle as well. A prototype was built which could reach 75 kmh (47 mph) with a range of 60 km (37 miles) but there is scant information out there on this variant. In fact there is so little information even for the petrol-powered version. This is a van that was once everywhere that seems to be slipping into the cracks of history.
This is the XV ‘61 concept car shown in 1961 or 62. It was a one-off made for a US company called McLouth Steel, now defunct, as a showpiece for their stainless steel products. It was touted as being designed for use as a monorail as well. The only source I can find that refers to the XV ‘61 is Jean-Rodolfe Piccard’s indispensible ‘Dream Cars’. Did Mazda see this?
I remember hearing stories about skittish handling due to its narrow track, but I’ve never ridden in one. If I found one in this condition, I’d turn it into an open-bodied beach special and use it at the coastal manse to ferry guests. It would make the perfect start to their summer holiday; the Mazda Bongo is one of those shapes that always manages to elicit a smile.
Further Reading
The original Bongo’s cheerful face reminds me of the 1st-gen Sprite.
And that Sky Lounge is a hoot, it looks like a baby Setra.
Wow, a genuine curbside Bongo. Is it Christmas already?
Needless to say, these have always been pure abstractions for me, and somewhat odd ones. You’ve brought the subject closer to home. And very in depth, at that.
The drop-side pickup is very much like a mini Corvair Rampside. And that Sky Lounge is unreal. Wonder how it does in a cross-wind?
Thanks for a very effective distraction from less light-hearted subjects. A Bongo bong-hit.
Thanks Don for another one I’ve never heard of.I’m pretty sure they never got to the UK as I’d remember that cute bug eyed face.
Nice looking Mazda Van. It’s a shame that it was never offered in North America. I like the 1983 Bongo Sky Lounge. I remember seeing a picture of the van. Toyota offered a Van during the 80s in North America, Mitsubishi offered the Van. So, why the hell didn’t Mazda offer a van?
Actually it was. Sort of. And very briefly in tiny numbers. Sold in the early 1980s in western Canada as a test bed for Kia at a few select Mazda dealerships the ES series Bongo van was sold as a Kia Besta. Can’t be too many left. I saw one last year in BC but missed out on a photo. This one captured by a friend in Calgary, AB.
Mazda did offer a van later, a very nice one, in the front-drive MPV. That was preceded by one-and-a-half generations of a RWD/4WD MPV that wasn’t quite a conventional minivan; especially after a major facelift gave it a two-box profile, fender flares, four rear-hinged doors, and a non-flat floor that made it more a crossover than a van, before there was a huge market for such things.
It’s fitting that the purple Bongo is shot in Australia. It reminds of a blue one that is nearly obliterated during a chase scene in Mad Max.
Wow, cute little van. Seems like the type of thing that would always put a smile on my face when approaching it! Too bad we don’t have any over here.
For some reason that XV-61 is reminding me of a backwards Pacer…
I’ll never forget that poor Mazda Bongo flying in the air on the movie Mad Max (the first one) when it was hit by the “Big Bopper” (Ford Falcon XB pursuit car).
Bongo Friendee, Bongo Brauny and Homer. A Bongo too. You could be telling me what’s in your driveway and I’d wouldn’t have a clue. We have enough in one article to do a goofy name series.
I’ll take a Bongo and that longroof from pic #3.
Mazda Bongos were also badged as Nissans so if you dont like strange names you can choose from another brands lineup, NZ is littered with these JDM commercials I shot a Bongo Brawny dropsider for the cohort last year it should still be on there.
…”and VCR system (format unknown)”
Betamax, I’m sure. And I really want that Bongo Friendee.
Always wanted a Bongo. Such a ridiculous vehicle deserves the affection of us car nuts, even if it was slow, ill-handling and had a horrifically low ‘get laid’ status. 😉
I first remember seeing these at Valla Park Resort in New South Wales, being used as laundry/ cleaning vans, shuttling between holiday huts. Rusty and unregistered, they were still working hard and earning their keep.
As Don said, these used to be all over the place – until one day you realise you haven’t seen one for a long time. Happens a lot with old cars.
Back in the seventies, a mate was given an old Mazda 800 sedan. Although sold here, they were never that common. Parts – ha! He got it running with an old Holden carby, and we had fun driving it around the back lanes of Warragul. No muffler, of course. 😉
Don…in the 1970s I used to negotiate the hire of the Town Hall and the City Hall for Tasmania’s capital city,Hobart,with rock promoters and theatre groups from many countries.Approx 1980 the head hallkeeper was about to retire and told me was going to travel around Australia.He showed me his new campervan,a deep green Mazda Bongo van fitted as a camper and complete with a white fibreglass pop up roof.It was such a cute looking van.
I saw one like that in Cairns in 85 I wonder if it was the same one I didnt note where it was registered, there cant have been many around.
KiwiBryce..it was the only one I have seen but I remember the advertisements for the Bongo campers in Aussie motor magazines.The Kiwi Finn brothers had a video clip for one of their songs and they used a mid/deep blue with white roof Fiat Multipla with a similar shaped trailer behind it and at the time I had loaned my same Multipla to the Aust motor vehicle museum in Sydney for its first year of operation.A video maker for bands in Sydney phoned me and said quick turn your television on,your car is on tv.The Finn brothers are as eccentric as me and I often wondered if one of them owned that Fiat Multipla,do you know?
I’ll always remember one of these getting t-boned and completely destroyed by one of Max Rockatansky’s leadfooted colleagues in the opening chase scene of “Mad Max”.
According to legend, the studio had run out of money, so one of the producers sacrificed his own personal Bongo van to complete the required scene.
Spot on Christopher! I was waiting to read about what must be the most famous Bongo van in the world (quite a low bar…) The van was George Miller’s, who was the writer and director.
Great write up Don, you have found a few rarities that surely only the Japanese could produce.
d’oh. Forgot about that one.
I like most of the JN vans of that era but afraid I cannot go with this one. I do rather like the dropside truck. I guess it really doesn’t matter because there aren’t any here anyway.
Wow, this brings back memories!
Terrifying, terrifying memories….in 1976, my parents almost new Datsun 180B ( yes it was orange) was seriously damaged in a crash. So for a month or two while it was repaired, our family bounced around in one of the rear engined Bongos, borrowed from friends.
There were five of us, Mum,Dad, my two older sisters and myself, aged about seven. We also would take other kids with us for the school run. As a minivan it could be a perfect people carrier, except for one thing….
No seats!
As a result we would sit on the engine hump at the rear and hold on for dear life to whatever we could grip. Predictably any cornering resulted in a bunch of primary school kids bouncing all over the cargo bay.
It was heaven when we got a real car again.
no seats. hehehe
Whereabouts is hipsterville here?
Northside. This was off Lygon St.
I initially thought Richmond.
Close to uni then. I frequent that area during the year, but don’t explore around too much.
The house behind the van in the side-on shot is surely about as small as you would find! There are some unusual places around that area…
I think I saw one of these in the US, in the 70s. Not in Cali either, but in Michigan. It was painted in the blue and white that Mazda used on it’s signage and it was rolling down the road that went past the Mazda dealer. Only recognized it because R&T or MT had published a pic of a Bongo.
I’m late here sorry Don, but great find and write-up! We got those Bongos here too, and not just as drums (geddit?!!). Haven’t seen one in some years though – even the next gen are scarce now. Both generations (and the future ones) were popular turned into campervans here.
We got all the ones since – either as NZ-new E-series or as Bongy-badged used imports. The Bongo Brawny is one of the funniest names ever! I had a brand new E2000/Bongo from January 2000-late 2003; bizarrely, it was the same shade of purple as the one you found! Of course it was custom painted in that colour and then had huge fruit decals plastered all over it with ‘Just Juice’ in large pink letters on the side. Did I mention I worked for a drinks company? 😉
Anyway, you’ve taught me something new and interesting today: I had no idea the gen1 Bongo was rear-engined! That’s one of those useless-but-cool bits of info that I love to learn, thank you!
Is it me or is there some Ford Thames Trader in the styling?
Nah, just you Roger 😉 Lol, kidding, maybe around the rear, and the body-width to axle width looks similar.
Wow I actually forgot about all this. Time passes I actually love these cars reminds me of time gone by the bongo is just one of many old vans I love. Those old mazda’s are so rare I saw one in about late 88 and it was in okay condition it was parked at a grocery store and the color was a bit of a darker purple then this was but yeah. The inside wasn’t to bad but not perfect there was a tiny rip in the headrest of the passenger and the steering wheel had a slight crack in it but nothing to effect your driving. But yeah I love little weird shaped and old Mazda’s there quite rare and exciting.
Couple of years late on this thread, but how much would a running bongo be worth these days ?
I have an original rear engine bongo .. am looking to sell it .
Did you sell it? Would like to know how much it went for.
Hey… I still have it… 😁 will sell for the right price
Hi Debbie,
Do you still own the Bongo van?
Thanks,
Jason
The Bongo Friendee is still popular in the UK, even though there were no official imports.
That Familia wagon if it had rear doors and quad headlights would look very much like a 1962 Buick Special wagon.
That’s the same type of van that gets obliterated in the opening chase sequence from the original “Mad Max” movie from 1979. George Miller was generous enough to sacrifice his own personal van to complete the filming of perhaps one of the most shocking crash scenes ever in movie history.
I tried to find a photo of the Bongo before it gets blasted to bits.
This van could be the inspiration for a Japanese Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine. You won’t have to pass Shaggy the baggie so Scooby can roll a doobie when you’re riding in the Bong-o!
Somehow I missed this the first time around. Great history and I love the little Familia station wagon as well as the Sky Lounge. Shame we never got the Mazda Vans here, seems like everyone else gave it a go…
I want to know how, if you put all those tennis players in the Bongo, it’s going to move with an 800 cc engine. I know that the VW Bus wasn’t overpowered and could, and did, move with 7 people in it, particularly the very later versions in Mexico, but they had a 1.8 liter 72 hp engine according to wikipedia. Whatever this thing developed, I doubt it could move 7 people. Could it have been that roomy? It’s amazing the differences in space efficiency between an average American car of this era, which was vast outside with a relatively small interior, and this thing, which was tiny outside and somewhat less tiny inside.
I find these a bit cute, especially those sunken square headlight enclosures that were on every early-70s concept vehicle. The lower fender ribs are sort of proto-Aztek cladding, and that vent window that doesn’t follow the beltline is Exner-esque. Pass the Bongo, please!
I am loving the blue Bongo E-Series with the dual rear wheels and the “roll bar” in back of the cab. Such a tough looking trucklet!
A great post, for a car of great silliness. My comment is as late as the last overloaded Bongo, which might actually have been this one here. They’re now certainly all gone to where the flowers did.
As to silliness – apart from just looking at the startled and talled froglet – you see, we owned a T1 VW Kombi growing up in ’70’s Melbourne just like this one did, and only one vehicle ever was our roadblocker – an overloaded Bongo, as universally overloaded they universally were. Not so much the hare passing the tortoise, but the tortoise passing the snail. “We’re overtaking a bongo””, would yell father, to ensure all of us assumed crash positions for the 12 minute risk then undertaken.
And anyway, I cannot look at this without hearing this.
I have one for sale $5k 😁