BY JONATHAN CROUCH IntroductionMazda spent most of the Eighties creating a range of adventurously styled cars that failed to sell well enough. The company went into the last recession in very poor health and had to be rescued by a Ford takeover. Some say its range of late-Eighties cars were too striking for the market, but the handsome 323Fs certainly deserved far more than the limited success they have enjoyed.The 1989 323F is a classic example of a great car that never realised its potential. Only ever available in the UK with two engines and one body style, it was bought mainly as a second car. The importers tried to turn it into a GTi competitor with the introduction of the 1.8-litre GT in 1991, but buyers shunned this version in favour of the more sedately-performing 1.6-litre models.
The replacement model was again a good-looker but seemed to have been unfairly overlooked by new car buyers. The latest, more conservatively styled models launched late in 1998 are also quite rare.ModelsModels Covered: 323F - 1989-1994 (1.6 Hatchback SE, Executive SE, GLX/ 1.8 Hatchback GT) 323F - 1994-Oct 1998: (1.5 Hatchback GL,GLX, LXi, GXi/ 1.8 Hatchback GLX, Exec/ 2.0 Hatchback GLX, ZXi) HistoryBrief, in a word. The 323 has been with us since the late Seventies, but until the late Eighties, it was always as a rather dull Japanese econo-box.
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In 1989, all that changed with the launch of a curvy new 323, completed with pop-up headlamps.This version was to last on the UK market for five years. Trim levels were standard or SE and both used a 1.6-litre engine. ABS and auto transmission were extras. All cars have the same five-door hatchback body with its distinctive pop-up headlights. The SE has power steering and a sportier interior, while the SE Executive boasts a sunroof.Its 1994 replacement, of the same name, is also a five-door hatchback, though less desirable and harder to find; three and four-door cars also existed between 1997 and 1998.
Models vary from the base GL, through GLX, LXi, Executive and ZXi. Engines are a choice of 1.5, 1.8 or 2.0-litre capacity.
This last engine is unusual for being a V6 and delivers strong performance with a particularly smooth delivery.The new 323 range, introduced in October 1998, included only the five-door variant, in 1.3, 1.5 and 1.8-litre petrol forms, plus a 2.0-litre turbo diesel.
Kia Brisa B-1000 pickupFrom October 1974 until 1981, manufactured a variant of the second generation Familia as the 'Kia Brisa' at their first integrated automobile manufacturing facility, the in, South Korea. Production originally commenced in 1973 in the form of the Brisa B-1000 pickup truck, but passenger car production (originally as the 'Brisa S-1000') only commenced later. Brisa comes from the Spanish/Portuguese word for 'breeze'. The Brisa was equipped with a 62 PS (46 kW) 1.0-liter Mazda engine. Production came to an end after the new military dictator enforced industry consolidation, meaning had to give up passenger cars and focus entirely on light trucks.The original version of the Brisa received a slightly different front end from the original Familia, featuring twin headlights. Later, single headlights were used. In total, 31,017 Brisa passenger cars were built.
Including the pickups increases the totals to 75,987, of which a total of 1,526 were exported. Exports, Kia's first, began with a shipment of 31 Brisa B-1000 pickups to Qatar in 1975. The Brisa (along with the pickup model, called 'Master') was also exported to Colombia.
The larger was also built by Kia with the 1272 cc engine from October 1975, originally as the Brisa II and later as the K303. 1984 Mazda 323 1.5 3-door van (FA4, Australia)The Familia AP (323 in most of the world, GLC for 'Great Little Car' in North America) debuted in January 1977 as a subcompact, replacing both the (818) and the preceding Familia (1000/1300). There was a choice of hatchbacks and station wagon bodies, both available with a three- or five-door bodystyle. The station wagon version was a bit later, first being introduced in June 1978, which also meant that the commercial versions based on the 1970 Familia could finally be retired. Three were available, the 985 cc, 1,272 cc, and the 1415 cc (introduced in March 1978). The 1.0-liter unit was only made for export markets.
The new Familia shared many parts with the older Mazda Grand Familia. This was the first appearance of the 323 name, for export markets only.In June 1979 the 323/Familia underwent a facelift, replacing the previous round headlights with rectangular units which were designed as a single unit along with the grille. The new style was in line with that of the recently released. Other minor differences occurred along with the facelift.The range was replaced in 1980, however the station wagon models continued in production until 1986. Mazda VantrendIn Indonesia the third generation Familia was marketed by twice, the first time as the 323 hatchback from 1977 to 1980, and the second time around as the low-cost, low-price 'Mazda MR90' (hatchback) between December 1990 and 1993, 'Mazda Baby Boomers' (hatchback) between 1993 and 1995, and as the 'Mazda Vantrend' (station wagon) between 1993 and 1997.
The name MR90 stands for 'Mobil Rakyat 90' (people's car for the 1990s) as it was intended to become a national car project. This was scuppered by the appearance of the project.
The MR90 and its successors did see limited exports to small markets such as Fiji. There was also a better equipped GLX version available. The Baby Boomers was a lightly facelifted variant with new bumpers and a rear spoiler, for a more sporty appearance overall.The 1990s versions built by have modernized headlights (same as on the North American market GC 626) and bumpers. These alterations mean that the overall length increased, up to 3,970 mm (156 in) for the MR90 hatchback. Only the 70 PS (51 kW) 1.4-liter engine was offered, in combination with a five-speed transmission. The project was suggested to and given the green light by Mazda's Senior Managing Director Keiji Asano while he was on a trip to Indonesia in 1986. Sold alongside the, an MR90 cost less than half the price of the newer model.
Sedan (facelift)The BD Familia, first shown on 2 June 1980, was entirely new – it was Mazda's first, and was available as a hatchback and sedan. It was developed with input from, which in 1979 had acquired a stake in the Japanese manufacturer, and had a twin called the (and Ford Meteor, for its four-door sedan model in Australia).At its introduction in 1980, it won the first Award.The new -series, loosely based on the preceding series, was developed expressly for the BD and was offered in three different displacements. The smallest 1.1-liter E1 unit was reserved for certain export markets where the tax structures suited it. Chassis codes were BD1011/BD1031/BD1051 depending on the engine installed.Engines:. 1.1 L (1071 cc), 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) / 79 N⋅m (58 lb⋅ft).
1.3 L (1296 cc), 2 barrel, 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) / 95 N⋅m (70 lb⋅ft). 1.5 L (1490 cc), 2 barrel, 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) / 115 N⋅m (85 lb⋅ft). 1.5 L (1490 cc), 2x2 barrel, 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) / 120 N⋅m (89 lb⋅ft)The most powerful version was marketed as the '323 GT' in European markets.
The Familia/323 underwent a facelift in January 1983.For the Japanese market other top end models were offered, originally the three-door Familia XGI with a 1,500 cc single cam, multi-point fuel-injected engine. In June 1983 the turbocharged XGI Turbo was added, Mazda's first turbocharged piston engine. It had a particularly small turbocharger, for better low-end response. Period commentators complimented its linear and smooth power delivery. The XG Turbo also received a suitably updated chassis and wheels to handle the 115 PS (85 kW).
The Familia sedan and their twin, the Ford Laser S, was also offered with the same specifications but in limited numbers. Claimed outputs in the Japanese market were considerably higher than in export countries, due to the differing standard rather than. Period sources suggest subtracting ten percent from the JIS numbers.This particular Familia was a strong comeback for Mazda in the Japanese market, even outselling the Toyota Corolla on several occasions.
The four-door sedan was equipped with a reverse-rake front grille and lights in the Japanese market, to make it appear more 'senior'. The same front design was used for the.The 1980 Familia/323 was the first front-engine, front-wheel-drive vehicle from Mazda since the. This generation of 323 was for 1980. The existing station wagon version, simply a facelifted version of the previous rear-drive model (fitted with the square headlights and grille from the new model), was sold in parallel with the BD.
The wagon was available with either three or five doors and was equipped either with the old 1,272 cc or the 1,415 cc UC. The 1.4 was replaced from 1983 with the newly developed 1,490 cc engine. The TC 1.3 produces 60 PS (44 kW) while the larger versions offer 70 PS (51 kW). By 1985, the old 1.3 was replaced by the 1,296 cc E3 engine with 68 PS (50 kW); it was only available with the three-door estate body. 1981–1982 Mazda GLC (North American version of the 323) GLC (1981–1985) The equivalent American Mazda GLC (Great Little Car) appeared in the 1981 model year, although the rear-wheel drive wagon also continued to be offered.
Mazda 323/323p/323f 1989 1998 For Sale
It was only offered with a single engine - the twin-barrel 1.5-liter with 68 hp (51 kW)—and lasted through 1985, after which it was replaced by the next-generation Mazda 323. With this, the GLC nameplate was retired. The BD was the only Mazda vehicle using the GLC name.
Originally it was offered with three- or five-door bodywork, in standard, Custom, Custom L, or Sport equipment levels. The five-door only came as a Custom and were sold only in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. All cars received exposed rectangular sealed-beam units.The Sport received a steering wheel borrowed from the, full instrumentation, and a special rear interior which closely integrates the side trim with the rear seat design - an early iteration of a design philosophy taken to its extreme with the 1988 and the 1990. Unlike the sporting 323s in other markets, the Sport only received special hubcaps, rather than alloy wheels. For 1982, the Sport was made to live up to its name a little bit more, with the installation of a front and cast aluminum wheels. The five-door GLC gained a fully carpeted trunk for 1982.
Mazda 323 hatchback (US)Sao Penza The South African-made model was exported to the United Kingdom between 1991 and 1993 as the 'Sao Penza' and fitted with a 1.3-liter fuel-injected engine. The importer was Automotive Holdings, a subsidiary of Mazda Cars Ltd, the official Mazda UK importer. It was a version of the Mazda 323, imported from South Africa, where the 1985 model was still assembled by (now of South Africa), although it had ceased to be imported to the UK in 1989. Both four-door saloon and five-door hatchback versions were available, with fairly basic specifications.It went on sale in the United Kingdom in July 1991, with 1200 vehicles expected to be sold that year.
Marketed as 'Japanese technology you can afford', it was sold at £7,500 - around £2,000 cheaper than the equivalent version of the new Mazda 323. However, its low prices were not enough to attract strong sales and it was withdrawn from sale in 1993. Just over 1,000 were sold and as of 2019 there is just one MOT'd car left on the road (a blue 1.3L 5-door)The car uses the 1.3 L (1,324 cc) four-cylinder engine. Maximum power is 65 hp (48 kW) at 5500 rpm, providing a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph). 3-speed. 4-speed F4A-EL automatic.
5-speedDimensionsHatchback: 2,450 mm (96.5 in)Sedan/F: 2,500 mm (98.4 in)LengthHatchback: 3,995–4,035 mm (157.3–158.9 in)Sedan: 4,215–4,355 mm (165.9–171.5 in)Width1,670–1,690 mm (65.7–66.5 in)Height1,340–1,405 mm (52.8–55.3 in)910–1,210 kg (2,006–2,668 lb)The sixth generation Familia (BG) included three-door hatchback, five-door fastback, and a four-door sedan variants, none of which share any body panels. The new five-door fastback version was called the Familia Astina in Japan and was sold as the 323F or 323 Astina elsewhere. The BF wagon (originally introduced in 1985) was carried over in facelifted form, although Ford marketed a wagon on the new platform as part of the North American Escort line.The BG Familia was available with front- or and a 1.3 L, 1.5 L, 1.6 L, or 1.8 L gas or 1.7 L.
Mazda 323/323p/323f 1989 1998 Ford
Later, a turbocharged engine was added, especially developed for homologation purposes for the, Group A category. The four-wheel drive models (including the turbocharged GT-X) were introduced in August 1989. In Japan, the SOHC 1.6 was only available coupled to four-wheel drive.
With a carburettor, it offered 91 PS (67 kW), the same as the lower-spec 1.5, but with a somewhat larger torque curve. In Europe, only the 1.8 (in naturally aspirated, 106 PS form or either of the turbocharged variants) was offered with four-wheel-drive. 1994–1998 Mazda Lantis (Japan)A five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, both featuring pillarless doors and distinct sheetmetal from other 323s, was sold in Japan as the, in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as the Mazda 323 Astina, in Colombia as the Mazda Allegro and in Europe as the Mazda 323F.They were built on platforms distinct from the other 323s and actually appeared nearly a year before the new Familia, in September 1993.
The bodyshape was designed by former designers. The Lantis was on the, a minor update of the that underpinned the. The European 323F was designated, but was actually almost identical to the, and had little to do with other. These models were sold with the 1.5 L 1.6L and 1.8 L engines seen in the rest of the 323 range, as well as a 2.0 L shared with the Eunos 500.