FULLBLOOD NISSAN NAVARA

IF YOU go down to Bothaville today you’re sure of a big surprise because today’s the day the farmers have their Nampo harvest day.

With apologies to all teddy bears looking forward to their picnic, it just can’t compare to the annual four-day agricultural show which, if you haven’t attended it yet, will make you wonder where you’ve been all this time.

The scale of the event boggles the mind as do the rows and rows of predominately white double-cabs in the parking lot. The vast majority of them are actual farm bakkies, not urban crawlers and, strangely enough, I didn’t see a John Deere sticker on the back of any of them. These guys actually drive John Deeres.

And if the number of people and bakkies doesn’t impress you, the sheer size of some of the tractors, bailers, harvesters and farm implements will.

It also gives you a glimpse into what it means to work the land and keep the country self-reliant. These people aren’t office jockeys; it’s a tough, skilled thankless task, not made any easier by glib statements about “taking” the land.

However, it’s not just things farming that are on display.

Apart from all the associated products, many car manufacturers have a display with their latest range on show, and so it was that the drivers of a shiny convoy of Datsun Gos parked outside one of the entrances to have a closer look at the Nissan Navara Stealth.

We had driven with the little 1.2 litre 3-cylinder engine with 50kW and 104Nm of torque from Lanseria to the show grounds just outside Bothaville, which is probably a lot further than the average owner would take it out on a day.

Would I do it on a regular basis? Probably not, it’s a bit underpowered and especially up here there was a lot of gear changing, and passing needed careful planning. At speed wind noise is intrusive and at the national speed limit the buffeting from on-coming traffic can be a bit disconcerting.

But the Go has to be looked at in context. You do get a 17cm touchscreen infotainment system that had my much younger co-driver happy because he could connect Apple Car Play (it also has Android Auto).

Having ogled farm hardware we headed towards town to take a peek at and drive some classics at the largest private collection of Datsuns and Nissans in the world.

In the sleepy hollow of Bothaville. Freek de Kock has built up an enviable collection of cars stored in a warehouse that belies the value of what’s inside.

We were privileged to drive a 1200 GX Coupé, a 160U,

Stanza SSS and an early 1980s 280 ZX with full red velvet trim. All still had their original trim, including radio and tape players.

The ZX motor was as sweet as ever with a throaty roar and, while we didn’t get to spend much time behind the wheel, it felt right and I reckon even for today the handling would still be top notch.

But we were there to drive the Navara Stealth, so a drive to Potchefstroom for the overnight stop beckoned.

The standard silver and chrome detailing on the exterior is replaced with black trim and orange accents on the grille, front bumper, side mirrors and side steps. A black roll bar, side steps and alloy wheels round it off nicely.

The seats have black leather side bolsters with orange material inserts and stitching.

It still has a two-and four-wheel drive configuration with the twin turbo oil burner pushing out 140kW and 450Nm of torque coupled to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed auto box.

Of all the double cabs out there, the Navara is probably the most comfortable to drive, with excellent road manners and corner hugging ability thanks largely to a five-link coil rear suspension.

With keyless entry, an intelligent 4x4 system that adjusts power to all wheels as needed, hill start assist and a very cool around view monitor that uses four cameras to give you a 360-degree view, the Navara remains a top-notch offering.

Not all transformations with a splash of colour and some pinstripes work well, but in this case the guys at Nissan have got it spot on.

The Nissan Navara Stealth comes with Nissan Assured, including a comprehensive three-year/90 000km service plan and a six-year/150 000km warranty.