The infield of the Trever Els oval raceway just outside of Mokopane trembled to the tune of meticulously tuned engines on Saturday 28th August , as the sun glinted off a healthy crowd of South African legends each built to a unique formula and specification, but sharing an important common bond. The Nissan brand affixed to the nose, as well as a well-earned reputation for total dependability and strength far beyond the cute but racy looks.

Despite one of the vehicles boasting a power output of 1000 horsepower on the wheels, this isn’t a convention of throbbing GT-R supercars. No, this is Mokopane’s homage to the epic Nissan 1400 bakkie, perhaps better known as the venerable Champ. Although boasting dainty dimensions and a budget list price, this vehicle also packs one of the largest hearts in the business, and has been both trusted work partner and weekend toy for many of the down-to-Earth residents of this small Limpopo community, and many others like it, since 1971.

This gathering of all incarnations of Nissan 1400 half-tonner (model name B140) was arranged to celebrate this legendary LCV, which endured for nearly four decades as the ideal dual-purpose work-and-play half-ton offering in the South African market. This lovable workhorse was only recently replaced by the new Nissan NP200, now with an even larger, more robust load area than ever before but the same DNA. Whether working or playing, the old B140 and new NP200 are peerless in their strength, reliability, and unique sense of panache when the time comes to kick back and enjoy life.

There are several better-than-pristine examples of the original Datsun-badged bakkie in attendance. Two of these models feature the 1400cc engine of the last-generation versions, complete with twin carburettors, gas-flowed heads and a much freer-flowing exhaust than was ever standard fit. Most bear the more common, subtly updated Nissan 1400 styling, together making for a heart-warming collection ranging from hard-living daily worker to carbonfibre-bedecked road-race specials.

Johann Oeloffse not only had a replica of the original 1400 dash, with space for a couple of extra gauges, moulded entirely from this space age material, but also proceeded to buy the mould that was created for him from the carbonfibre specialist involved. “So that no-one else could have a dashboard like this – it’s an absolute one of a kind.”

Source: http://www.nissan.co.za/en/web/news/news_13421.htm