2004 Ford Bantam owner’s review – This bakkie is old enough to buy beer and it still runs like an Olympic athlete

Since he got his licence, TopAuto reader Wiehann has only ever had a Ford Bantam as his daily driver, and he’s now on his second one, an 18-year-old model.

He said it’s not that he can’t afford upgrading to something more modern, it’s that he doesn’t want to because he loves the small bakkie.

The Bantam is practical and has been in the family for over a decade, and Wiehann has made a firm commitment to never let go of it.

“This bakkie is old enough to buy beer and it still runs like an Olympic athlete,” he said. “If you visit me again in 20 years it will still be here, it will still be running, and it will look even better.”

Which model do you own?

I have a 2004 Ford Bantam 1.6 XL, which has done 199,160km.

I bought it from my brother in 2015 after someone ran a red robot and wrote off my previous 1.3-litre Bantam. I was virtually unhurt except for a bruised knee, which was impressive considering the shape of the bakkie after the accident.

I didn’t even consider a different car and immediately got this Bantam because it had a more powerful engine than my previous one, I knew its history, and, of course, a little friends-and-family discount didn’t hurt.

What are your three favourite things about the Bantam?

For its size, the bakkie is practical and has just enough power. I can’t count on two hands how many people I’ve helped move houses with it.

My two other favourite things are unique to my Bantam, though.

The original fabric seats started looking slightly tattered after 15 years and I ordered new seat covers with a custom “Bantam XI” logo on the backrest. Most people might not find it that exciting but I do because it has meaning to me, and I’m reminded of that every time I get into my bakkie.

I also have an aftermarket sound system installed with extra-long cables so that I can pop one of the speakers through the rear window and into the load box, which comes in handy when I’m braaing or camping with friends.

Which three things do you like least about the Bantam?

Since it’s of legal drinking age itself, my Bantam doesn’t have many features. I would say the electric windows are probably the most modern thing about it.

It has also been through its fair share of wear and tear over time. Although I’ve resprayed it, installed a new set of rims, bought a new windshield, and overhauled the engine since taking ownership, there are still smaller details waiting to be cleaned up.

And yes, it does have enough power to haul couches and fridges, but it’s not very fast regardless of the load on the back.

Would you recommend a Bantam to other car buyers?

Absolutely yes, I think it’s the best small bakkie on the market.

After seven years I’m still giddy when I get into my Bantam. It’s one of the smoothest manual cars I’ve driven before and I love how it handles; it feels like it’s a part of me.

Earlier this year my bond with it got even deeper when I traveled to Magaliesberg for the weekend along with a friend in his much larger VW Amarok.

A thunderstorm like few before ripped through the area the previous day and in no time the rear-wheel-drive Amarok got stuck and had to wait to get towed out.

My Bantam, on the other hand, happily trundled over the muddy roads and rivers of stormwater and brought us to the other side without a hitch.