Round about 2007, we caught wind of Nissan discontinuing the 1400 bakkie.

Almost instantly, a TV ad popped into my head, where each component of the last 1400 to roll off the production line in Rosslyn was signed by a different worker in the Nissan factory. At the end of the spot, the workers created a tunnel through which the car would slowly drive out into the world for the last time. They saluted with lumps in their throats, some would shed a tear – the music built as little-big bakkie drove off into the sunset with a title alongside the Nissan Logo reading, “The Champ lives on”.

Of course, the ad would have had a killer soundtrack and the VO would have been some kiff, gravelly and emotive delivery by the likes of Michael Mayer or Ian Roberts.

The VO script was simple and kind of wrote itself - based on the towns where the car etched itself into the lives of the people. It went something like this:

It’s the “Ooo” in the Karoo. The “Aai” in Saldanha Baai. The “Bok” in Boksburg. The “Nice” in Knysna. The “King” in Mafikeng. The “Rich” in Richmond. The “Don” in Caledon. The “Mooi” in Mooirivier. The “Sjoe” in Thaba Nchu. The “Hope” in Hopefield. The “Welkom” in Welkom. The “Up” in Upington. The “Aah” in De Aar. The “More” in Willowmore. The “Boss” in Melkbosstrand etc.  

You catch the drift, it went on for pages.

They said they didn’t have money for TV. Okay, so how about just billboards with the car and a headline? No, no billboards. How about print ads? Nope. How about posters? Nope. Postcards? No to absolutely every idea put forward to honour the 1400 - they did not want any marketing attention going toward the fact that South Africa’s favourite bakkie was being discontinued.

It was heart-breaking..

Anyhoo, it’s almost twenty years later, so what, whatever, never mind. Right?

Not quite.

One thing time can’t do is kill or change a great idea. Great ideas will always find a way to be seen and experienced.

I believe that this idea is a gift to all those who love the Nissan 1400. Die Kanniedood Kruiwa. The Champion of Africa, aka…

The Champ!

Here’s to you, Champ. Thank you for the roads we travelled together and the memories we will share forever, no matter what.

*Disclaimer: The images in this fictitious campaign are ‘scamps’. They were created by me (a Writer) using my lefthand, Keynote, Google Streetview, reference pics and ChatGPT, or Chad, as I call him. Hope you enjoy the ‘Champ Scamps’ as much as I enjoyed releasing them from my mind.