∙Rare in the UK, South African V6 pickup ∙Low Mileage ∙Great condition
The Background
The peoples of the Southern hemisphere have a real affection for small pickups. In Australia and New Zealand they call them ‘utes’ but in South Africa, they’re known as ‘bakkies’ which derives from the Afrikaans for ‘small container’. It’s a segment of the market that remains very popular in South Africa to this day.
The Cortina-based Pickup started production in 1971 in South Africa, initially based on the Mark 3 saloon front end and a ladder chassis aft of the front seats with a number of options for the rear bodywork. By 1980, the Mark V Cortina had arrived and the front bodywork was duly adopted for the Pickup along with a new name, the ‘1-Tonner’, which endured for many years on subsequent models. In 1982 it was also exported to Europe where it was marketed as the P100. However, what we didn’t get in Europe was the version with the 3 litre Essex V6. Sold as a ‘leisure bakkie’ with the slogan ‘born free’, it endowed the 1-Tonner with the kind of grunt that made for good towing performance and made it quite lively when unladen in the wet.
P100’s are now a very rare sight in the UK with any of the engine options; with a V6 under the bonnet, this would be a conversation starter at any classic Ford meet.
This example is a fresh import from South Africa which has all the import duty paid, is on the NOVA register and is ready for the next owner to be the first UK registered keeper. The vendor is a Brit who spent over 10 years in South Africa and retired back to the UK but keeps himself occupied with by using his network of contacts that know where to locate good quality, rust free classics to bring over.
As part of his approach, he always ensures that the new arrivals are put through an MOT and any issues attended to which means that it will be good to go.
The aforementioned NOVA certificate and MOT will be included but that’s about it. Fortunately, the condition speaks for itself.image00025.jpeg118.41 KB
The Interior
The clock is showing just 11,353km and lacks the extra digit on the front to betray the actual mileage but, given the condition of the interior, you could be forgiven for thinking that it hadn’t covered the extra hundred thousand kilometres. There’s no sign of wear to the fabric seats and the dash is unmarked, as are the door cards with their wood cappings. There’s not a great deal in terms of switchgear (and no radio) but everything that’s there functions as it should and the windows wind up and down without issue.
Again, the exterior condition holds little clue to the age and mileage and it has clearly been well looked-after. The red over white paintwork has polished up extremely well and the load area, with cover, looks never to have been used for commercial purposes as it has only light signs of wear. Extra driving lights are included in the front grille, while the wheels are all in mint condition and the exhaust tip is polished to a shine.
Continuing the high standards of the rest of the vehicle, the valeted engine bay presents very well. Interestingly, this example has the 5 speed manual box fitted and is great to drive, pulling with particular vigour with the 3 litre engine.
Classic Fords are perennially popular and eighties models are seeing their values increase strongly as those of us of a certain age have a little more disposable income and are prone to getting misty-eyed about the vehicles we grew up with. The P100 as we knew it with a 3 litre V6 is less likely to be exactly what we grew up with but who can resist the lure of a sleeper like this?
That said, there are reasons why this model may appeal more widely. For just as the versatility of the ‘1-Tonner’ was part of its sales success when new, there are different ways to enjoy a classic of this nature. Given its condition and low mileage, it could still be pressed into service as a cool retro commercial vehicle. The lack of weight over the rear axle may lend itself to the addition of a limited slip diff to aid a certain type of driving. Or it could simply be enjoyed as it is, as a very well preserved and rare example of Ford’s international output. There are many ways to appreciate this special vehicle, but only one way to bid. If you want to be the first registered UK owner then get your maximum bid in the box.
Notice to bidders
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