Ever wondered how many Bongos are out there, what they might look like inside and out, what kind of folks own them and what they use them for? Ever wish you could get a nosey at the layout with a rear conversion, or how big a leisure battery will fit the battery tray?
Well, I wondered all those things!
Like most folk, I expect, I am proud of my wee Bongo, and although it is far from perfect, I enjoy using it, and I am fascinated by the multiple layouts out there – whether a full side conversion, a hi-top, an unconverted tin-top (no aft), there are virtues in them all, and while the Bongo is not huge, it is nothing if not infinitely adaptable. So, having experience of setting up cruise nights for American cars, many years ago, I wondered if I might manage to set something up for fellow Bongo owners.
And after three very successful meets, I would encourage anyone with a Bongo and a desire to meet other owners to do the same.
Pick a venue – any large car park will do, and a public car park is ideal, as there is no need to arrange with the landlord, after all, simply parking up for a few hours is exactly what the car park is for! Be mindful of other users though, try and keep obstructions to a minimum and ensure pavements are free for passers by. A public toilet is handy too!
Pick a time likely to suit folk – I opted for a Sunday morning, not too early ( 10am), not too late in the day as others will start to use the car park too, making parking together difficult.
Now share your idea! – I then posted up the question on the Scottish Bongo Owners’ Facebook group, to test interest. A number of folk seemed keen, so I posted the event to the Group, allowing folk to follow up and post their intentions to come. And, we got eleven Bongos on our first attempt! What a great bunch of folk, we blethered about all sorts of Bongo-related stuff, mechanical issues shared, different ideas for places to visit, and a great opportunity to look round other vans, get ideas and advice. There were some who brought bits and pieces, spare parts, camping bits and bobs, some for free, some for a few pounds.
After the success of our first meetup, I posed the question to the group if folks wanted to make this a regular occurrence? A resounding “Yes!” meant we have had two further meets, the most recent on a blustery and damp January morning, and had a total of 14 different vans come and go!! Such friendly folk, and advice is honestly and freely given, too. If you want to know where someone gets their van serviced, or where they got their bodywork and paintwork sorted out, and what the results are, then a meetup is the ideal place to find out!
Bongo owners are definitely a friendly bunch, and the strong sense of community at the meets is really genuine. I am looking forward to our next meetup, and to the forthcoming official Owners’ Club Scottish “Bongo Bash” in June, not to mention the national Bongo Bash, where somewhere in the region of 250 Bongos congregate!
So, why not set something up? I am sure you already know a few fellow owners who live local to you, so start by asking where and when they would like to meet up, and go from there.
It takes a few minutes and an idea.
Ali Bongo's adventures 