Brochure of the week #3 - Mazda 323 (BD)

[spottedlaurel]

At the request of RetroMat, here’s this week’s offering. I decided to go for the saloon as it’s even more rarely seen nowadays and – as Hirst pointed out – like many similar hatch-based offerings it is slightly oddly-proportioned.









Note the option of stowing the spare wheel upright to increase the boot depth. Don’t know about pre-facelift models but certainly the facelift saloon was offered as a GT.

More to come later tonight including hatchbacks from UK and Holland, Ford Lasers and JDM versions.

Let’s talk about it!

[Ratdat]

What's the difference between pre-facelift and facelift models then? Our GT is an '84 so is one of the last. It looks exactly the same as the ones in the introduction booklet I have from 1980.

[spottedlaurel]

So, a few more:













Above all from a Dutch pre-facelift brochure.









And these extracts from a 1984 UK brochure.

Differences fairly minor - grille, indicator position and sidelights, rear lights, bumpers, electronic ignition, 5-speed on all except 1.1 and some interior bits were the main things I believe.

JDM and Australian to follow.

[spottedlaurel]

Few others that have been through the scanner:





Had this one in the collection for years. I wanted a GT when I was 19, they were scarce even then.



Facelift Australian Ford Laser. Not beautiful...



Posted this JDM one before, great picture.



Also previously seen. I reckon the saloons look nicer with this front end. Hang around if you wonder what a hatch would like with this nose...



In what became a Japanese tradition, the estate version lagged a generation behind so the previous RWD model got facelifted to kind of make it look similar.

[datsuncherry]

That XE sedan version is gorgeous. Never knew such a thing existed. Glad I joined up now.

[Ratdat]

Ah, thanks for posting those, that's cleared up something that's been puzzling me for some time! I've never been sure of the difference between early and late ones until now. I wasn't sure if the clear indicators and lights was just a regional market variation until now.

[Hirst]

Dear me! I forgot about that 4 door XE version, nice awkward proportions. I bet there are nearly zero left in Japan.

[RetroMat]

thank for those!, that XG saloon is rather special, i think i prefer the normal saloon over the hatch

here the only image i have that a GT saloon ever existed:



and the earlier preface lift ford laser:

[spottedlaurel]

That's a good pic of the Laser! Neatly shows the extra window in the C-pillar which JDM Familias and the Laser got, yet European models get a solid pillar. Why?!

From a Laser brochure:







Different rear lights too.

Edit: Recessed rectangular front lights too, not flush like on the JDM Familia saloon above.

[spottedlaurel]

OK, this is it now I promise.





"Looks that thrill" indeed. XR3 style wheels on this facelift Laser! What I wonder then is what PCD these have, or were the wheels different to Ford fitment?



Not one of my brochures, my budget had already been reached but I had to save the picture. Think they got a turbo Familia in Japan too.

[davehoos]

aust 323 has a solid pillar.if i remember i get a photo of the car at the farm.
these are full imports as is the laser station wagon.and parts are not always standard.
ford laser was also sold in japan.
the ford aust engine was from tiawan and has a better crank shaft than the mazda-and pourus pistons.the sedan is a ford meteor.twin carb wasnt popular after efi was offered.
i havnt see one recently.

[most aust car use 2 letter model codes]

KA- is straight locally built mazda with tighter suspension-KB has local imput parts and design.called the disposable car-there are many still on the road in good condition-my friend was advised not to store parts as these would be scrap metal after 10 years.he still sells new crash parts for these.lots of ghia models on the road.

KC/KE same deal-this is refered to as bubble back laser.lots of fashion specials.

KF/KH last of australian laser-factory shipped to americas.many base models around.
at work we see a few a week in for checkups.

laser is now full import replaced recently with the crappy south african focus

the ford was built in homebush[sydney]. driving west down parramatta road you could look in a see the cars being built though the glass windows.when i worked for landrover the other production line workers did job interviews and tours-one experienced mechanic was ofered a job as a toe-in adjuster.when the factory was running lots of press stories ran in news papers of how the workers redesigned the car to improve quality.silly ideas that are common use now,used by 1960,s workers forgoten by the 80's computor generation.like removing adjusted swinging pannels using quick release hinge pins after painting.

[davehoos]

owned by a little old lady that side swiped a row of parked cars.
the sisters boy learned to drive on it around the farm but the gear box died,due to damage.

[spottedlaurel]

Full size:





See the tailgate has suffered like they often do here.

[Mash]

Just found these JDM ones on eBay:

[RetroMat]

scan from motorsport magazine, the new mazda 323!