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Here we pay homage to the reason we're all here. Mazdas. Take a brief tour throughout the decades with this (mostly complete) list of Mazdas. There are a few examples not present here, because pictures for many of the older, less popular, and obscure models are difficult to find. We hope you enjoy this piece of Mazda history.

 

 

Choose a decade:

Up to 1970

1970 to 1979

1980 to 1989

 

Up to 1970

1931 - 1960

Mazda 'Mazdago' Three-Wheeled Truck.

This is where it all began. For almost 30 years Mazda produced what many referred to as a "autorickshaw" because it shared many similarities with the human-powered cart.

1960-1966

Mazda R360

This car was available in both coupe and truck (B360) styles, and later as a 2+2 configuration, and in 1964 a convertible version. Featured a smooth driving 16hp 356cc engine, which was rear-mounted and air-cooled. An interesting feature was it used rubber "springs" and torsion bars for suspension.

1961 - 1966

Mazda B360 Pickup

The truck version of the popular R360 "kei" car, utilized the same 356cc engine but instead was front mounted with rear wheel drive. In export markets the B360 was equipped with a larger 577cc engine and branded the B600.

1964-1971

Mazda B1500/Proceed Pickup Truck

The beginning of the actual B-Series trucks. Still sold the world over, except for in Japan. After 1994 it was a rebranded Ford Ranger in North America, but continued to be sold as a Mazda in other markets.

1964 - 1966

Mazda Familia

The original Mazda Familia debuts, setting the stage for 4 decades of quality family cars. Since the start of the line, the Famila family of cars has sold over 10,000,000 around the world.

1966 - 1973

Mazda Luce/1500/1800/R130

Mazda's first "luxury sedan." Debuting to very favorable reviews, the Luce enjoyed great commercial success, and the line continued all the way until the late 90s, where it was called the 929 in North American markets.

1966 - 1977

Mazda Bongo

The first van that Mazda produced, came equipped with a powerful (for the time) 782cc water-cooled engine. The body styling proved so popular that the original Bongo retained the same shape and design throughout it's 10 year production run.

1967 - 1972

Mazda R100

The original Mazda Rotary Powered coupe. Using the same small displacement rotary engine found in the Cosmo Sport, Mazda campaigned the R100 on race circuits and it won on its first outing, taking first place at the Grand Prix of Singapore in April of 1969.

1961-1962

Mazda P360 Carol

This car is the "2+2" version of the popular R360. Adding more cabin space for passengers and luggage than the smaller R360, the Carol line has sold over a million cars over the life of the line.

1967 - 1972

Mazda Cosmo Sport 110s

This is where all of Mazda's Rotary Powered sports cars started. Debuting at the same time as the R100 coupe, the Cosmo sport set the stage for decades of sleek, sporty, rotary powered sports cars from Mazda.

As you can see, Mazda had come a long way from it's three-wheeled delivery truck roots, and were well on their way to becoming the company they are today. While still maily focusing on the family car, and doing quite well in that arena, cars such as the R100 and the Cosmo Sport signified a shift in strategy toward making cars that were not only economical, reliable, and attractive, but also enjoyable to drive.

 

1970 to 1979

1970 - 1976

Mazda RX-2 / Capella Coupe

The first in the RX series shared the chassis with the Mazda Capella but recieved several small cosmetic changes. The RX-2 came with the new and more powerful 12A engine which made 130hp and 115ft/lb. Consumers flocked to this new sports car, which was reminiscent of the R100 but was a more dedicated sports car than its predecessor.

1971 - 1976

Mazda 618 / Capella Sedan

Sharing a chassis with the RX-2, the Capella was the family oriented comfort car set to contrast the performance based rotary coupe of the RX-2. Selling very well around the world, the Capella line would eventually become the 626 in North America.

1971 - 1978

Mazda RX-3

In Japan the RX-3 received the smaller 10A engine, but in North America the car was equipped with the same powerful 12A engine found in the RX-2. This car performed amazingly, besting even the Nissan GT-R at the 1972 Japanese Grand Prix.

1972 - 1977

Mazda Luce / RX-4

Essentially the rotary engine version of the popular Luce/Capella, the car would prove very popular with people seeking a sporty family sendan. The RX-4 also won the distinction of "Best Sports Sedan" for its price class from Road & Track magazine in 1975.

1973 - 1976

Mazda Familia/Mizer/808

During the fuel crunch of the 1970's the 1.3L Familia was sold as the "Mizer" in many markets, touting improved fuel efficiency. The Mazda 808 was essentially the same car, but equipped with a larger 1.6L engine.

1974 - 1977

Mazda REPU

REPU stands for "Rotary Engine Pick-Up." Has "Rotary Powered" on the tailgate. The REPU also came with the larger and more powerful 13B engine equipped with 4-barrel carb. It is estimated that only just over 15,000 REPUs were ever made, and they are very sought after by enthusiasts.

1975 - 1978

Mazda Roadpacer

This was Mazda's first "full sized" car. Actually based on the Australian "Holden Premier." The experiment proved to be a failure, as the cars were equipped with the 13B rotary engine and weighed over 3500lbs. It has been reported that the fuel economy due to the weight/engine configuration was as low as 9mpg. Only 800 Roadpacers were ever sold.

1975 - 1980

Mazda Cosmo / RX-5

Sold in Japan as the Cosmo AP, and world-wide as the RX-5. Billed as a "large compact" the car was based on the RX-4 floorpan. The RX-5 enjoyed relative commercial success at home in Japan, but didn't prove to be very successful internationally and exports were ceased in 1978.

1977 - 1981

Mazda Luce Legato

The beginning of the Luce "Large" car line. This platform would set the stage for later large sedans such as the 929 and the Eunos 500. The Legato was available with standard 4-cylinder engines as well as diesel and rotary variants.

1977 - 1982

Mazda Capella/Montrose/626

Compared by both Consumer Guide and Road & Track to pricer and more upscale BMWs the 626 was a big hit with the automotive press. The original 626 was a huge hit, doubling Mazda's US sales.

1977 - 1983

Mazda Familia/GLC

Fun fact: GLC stands for "Great Little Car." This small car shared many parts with the earlier RX-3, and came with a variety of engine options. This was also the first car to receive the "323" title for foreign/export markets.

 

1979 - 1985

Mazda Savannah RX-7

Here's where it all began. The first generation of Mazda's legendary Rotary Powered sports car, the RX-7! In 1983, the RX-7 first appeared on Car & Driver's "Ten Best" list. This would not be the last award given to the RX-7, as motoring publications the world over sang praises for the great handling and responsive engine, whether equipped with the 12A or larger 13B.

The end of the 1970s saw Mazda truly embracing their products, and diversifying their product line immensely. There were several failed attempts at different classes of cars not tried before, but the staple, core Mazda products maintained strong sales and positive reviews. The end of the decade also saw the birth of the Mazda RX-7, which would end up enjoying near-legendary status over its 24 year lifespan.

 

1980 to 1989

1984 - 1989

Mazda GLC / 323

The first major facelift for the 323, which would carry it with only minor headlight modification until the next chassis in 1990. This is also the platform in which the legendary 323 GTX was based. The 323 GTX featured 4-wheel drive and a 1.6L turbocharged engine. In addition to the drivetrain changes the car also received dual rear hatch spoilers, and an upgraded interior.

1981 - 1989

Mazda 929 / Luce / Cosmo

The luce had now fully become the luxury sedan line from Mazda, and featured a plush interior, and several variations of the same 2.0L engine. Production of the Luce ceased in 1986 when the Cosmo returned. The 929 was available with piston engines, but the Cosmo had the option of coming equipped with the 13B rotary engine.

1983 - 1987

Mazda Capella / 626

Filling in the "medium" size segment between the compact 323 and the larger, more luxurious 929 the 626 was meant to be a solid and affordable family car. Named "Import Car of the Year" by Motor Trend magazine and "Car of the Year" by Wheels magazine in 1983, the 626 was a commercial and media success for Mazda. In 1986 there was even a 626 GT, which featured a 120hp turbocharged FET engine.

1986 - 1991

Mazda RX-7

Continuing the tradition of Rotary Powered performance, the FC chassis RX-7 would come in both Turbo and Non-Turbo variants. The FC RX-7 is still very popular today and is the racer of choice for many people across the country. When it debuted the motoring press often compared it to more expensive cars from Porsche, and it received favorable reviews because of its aggressive styling and smooth, powerful engine.

This is as far as we go on our trip down Mazda Memory Lane. We here at CorkSport hope that seeing this gives you a better understanding of where the company came from, and the amount of vision and innovation that Mazda has implemented in their development and production over the years. From mild to wild, Mazda has something for everyone. Zoom Zoom!