Nathan's Mazda 323 Deluxe
It was in early 2016 when my dad's boss asked him if he thought anyone in his car club would be interested in a Mazda 323 that he'd had sitting in his shed for a number of years. A front wheel drive 323? My dad replied "Nah, doubt it - are you crazy". But then they got talking. Turns out it was a one owner, 1985 5 speed manual Mazda BF Deluxe. But further investigation found it was way more special than that.....
Apparently, in 1985 Mazda Japan produced 500 examples for the world market (unsure if that included LHD versions as well). Unique. BUT this little beast was even more special than that. Mazda Australia initially imported just 3 examples of this car which were used for launching the brand new front wheel drive platform in Australia. They were displayed at the Melbourne International Motor Show, the Sydney International Motor Show with the 3rd vehicle being kept as a spare. These examples came loaded with absolutely every option available to Mazda at the time, almost like a prototype. After the launch at the motor shows through late 1984 and 1985, Mazda released the new BF model to the Australian public. Mazda continued to clear the old rear wheel drive model as they gradually switched to the new. Discussions with the original owner of this car indicated this was one of the first 3 imported. Further examples were imported - with varying degrees of options and distributed to the best dealers around the country showing what this new model was going to look like and what luxury Mazda offered.
Factory options included:
- 1.6ltr fuel injected engine (Australia was almost entirely still carburettors).
- 5 speed manual
- Electronic adjustable suspension - Cruise, Normal and Sport (available in later years on the Telstar TX5)
- Alloy 14 "wheels (the 626 model had 14" but other 323's had 13")
- 4 wheel disc brakes
- Electric sunroof
- Air conditioning
- Power windows
- Central locking
- Electronic digital dash
- Cruise control
- AM/FM, cassette & 9 channel graphic equalizer
- Auto dimming interior lighting
- Luxury trim cloth/carpet interior
- Headlight washers
- Rear window wiper (on a sedan)
- Illuminated door locks
- Unique body decals
So my dad and I got thinking we could overlook the Mazda 323 front wheel drive bit, and maybe it wasn't a bad buy. Considering his boss didn't want any dollars for the car, it was a very good buy indeed. And it was old enough to Club register. And in Japan they came fitted with a turbo. The Japanese version got the 1.6ltr DOHC 16V turbo intercooled motor that we saw in the TX3 Turbo Laser hatches a couple of years later. How hard could it be to transplant a turbo motor.....
We picked it up, then stored it for nearly a year so my mum wouldn't find out and kill dad because he'd "bought" another car. Eventually we broke the news to mum and we got a roadworthy and had it scrutineered for club rego - just needed tyres and a split drive boot replaced.
It's actually a pretty good little car - for 32 years old - paint is faded a little, but no dents, no rust and the interior is in really good condition. Three weeks after being registered, we packed it up and headed to Melbourne for the Classic Japan Car Show at Como Park. It drives like an eighties small car - could probably do with at least another 100kw.
Mmmmm, twin cam 16v turbo swap coming soon......
Apparently, in 1985 Mazda Japan produced 500 examples for the world market (unsure if that included LHD versions as well). Unique. BUT this little beast was even more special than that. Mazda Australia initially imported just 3 examples of this car which were used for launching the brand new front wheel drive platform in Australia. They were displayed at the Melbourne International Motor Show, the Sydney International Motor Show with the 3rd vehicle being kept as a spare. These examples came loaded with absolutely every option available to Mazda at the time, almost like a prototype. After the launch at the motor shows through late 1984 and 1985, Mazda released the new BF model to the Australian public. Mazda continued to clear the old rear wheel drive model as they gradually switched to the new. Discussions with the original owner of this car indicated this was one of the first 3 imported. Further examples were imported - with varying degrees of options and distributed to the best dealers around the country showing what this new model was going to look like and what luxury Mazda offered.
Factory options included:
- 1.6ltr fuel injected engine (Australia was almost entirely still carburettors).
- 5 speed manual
- Electronic adjustable suspension - Cruise, Normal and Sport (available in later years on the Telstar TX5)
- Alloy 14 "wheels (the 626 model had 14" but other 323's had 13")
- 4 wheel disc brakes
- Electric sunroof
- Air conditioning
- Power windows
- Central locking
- Electronic digital dash
- Cruise control
- AM/FM, cassette & 9 channel graphic equalizer
- Auto dimming interior lighting
- Luxury trim cloth/carpet interior
- Headlight washers
- Rear window wiper (on a sedan)
- Illuminated door locks
- Unique body decals
So my dad and I got thinking we could overlook the Mazda 323 front wheel drive bit, and maybe it wasn't a bad buy. Considering his boss didn't want any dollars for the car, it was a very good buy indeed. And it was old enough to Club register. And in Japan they came fitted with a turbo. The Japanese version got the 1.6ltr DOHC 16V turbo intercooled motor that we saw in the TX3 Turbo Laser hatches a couple of years later. How hard could it be to transplant a turbo motor.....
We picked it up, then stored it for nearly a year so my mum wouldn't find out and kill dad because he'd "bought" another car. Eventually we broke the news to mum and we got a roadworthy and had it scrutineered for club rego - just needed tyres and a split drive boot replaced.
It's actually a pretty good little car - for 32 years old - paint is faded a little, but no dents, no rust and the interior is in really good condition. Three weeks after being registered, we packed it up and headed to Melbourne for the Classic Japan Car Show at Como Park. It drives like an eighties small car - could probably do with at least another 100kw.
Mmmmm, twin cam 16v turbo swap coming soon......
