New wheels

[Electric Leyland]

New toy –back to the true essence of Autoshite with a 1979 Mazda 323 1.4L Auto!

 

Purchased yesterday after nearly careering off the road in excitement on spotting it and with a for sale card in the window. Purchased it on the spot - one careful elderly owner from new, 53k fully documented with all MOTs, ziebart underneath from new, MOT til March 2016. What more could you wish for? Everything works even the clock. And she drives just great!

 

DEAD HAPPY.

 

 

[BorniteIdentity]

Cap doffed. Well played that man.

[Lord Sterling]

Sweet man! Looks like a sort of Japanese attempt at making a Volvo 340 though.

[Electric Leyland]

Sweet man! Looks like a sort of Japanese attempt at making a Volvo 340 though.

 

Hey you're right, I hadn't noticed that before. Front end of a Mazda back end of Volvo 343. It's roomy inside for a small car too. Mate at work suggests giving it the General Lee look with Confederate Flag but that's a hot political topic at the moment.

[jonny69]

Welcome back fella, don't recall seeing you for a while!

[twosmoke300]

I used to have one of those ! Ran it for 3 months and bridged it as it was terminally rotten and engine was smoky. Nice steer tho

[fordperv]

That looks lovely, well done

[UltraWomble]

Ah, now that brings back fond memories of Miss Williams and junior school.

[hairnet]

we be down wid da petrol and lighters if you 01 it

 

looks ok

 

def been tangoed

[Skizzer]

Oh wow, that's gorgeous.  Great purchase story too - definitely one for grabbing it on the spot and working out the rest later.  

 

These were about the most European of the Japanese and a decent contender against mk1 Golfs, Renault 14s and the new Horizon.  (Back in 1979, Ford and Vauxhall still didn't have a 5-door hatchback anywhere in the range.)  As far as I remember they were just known as Mazda Hatchbacks - the 'official' 323 name didn't come into general use until the next generation.

 

MORE PICS please.

 

Meanwhile, here's an ad from the internet.

 

[Electric Leyland]

Yes I think the 01 treatment is long in the tooth nowadays. Plus could attract burning-cross types.

 

Nope, she's staying 'as is'. Few more pics.....

 

 

 

 

[stillOrange]

Beauty!

 

Interior please

[Jon]

Fantastic! My Mum's first car was an orange estate, though I'm too early to remember it but still have soft spot for them. I reckon this would have been a firm piece of Autoshite when the site was created almost 10(!) years ago, so it's great that you managed to find it for sale at the side of the road. They're becoming rare in NZ in standard form due to RWD lickers, especially with the desirable early 'bugeye' fronts and smaller tail lights, as well as Mazda's rotary history. There are a few wagons knocking about locally still plying a trade for old fellas who mow lawns.

 

Here's the last one I spotted in everyday unpretentious use, on holiday in the south island last year:

 

[UltraWomble]

 

 

 

"We even have a man who strokes the whole car  with his hands"

 

 

Yes, we have them on Autoshite too....

[worldofceri]

THE MANAGEMENT...

 

 

IS BACK!

[HH-R]

Winner!

I bet the claim in that advert is somewhat dubious.

[Charlie Croker]

My first car was a silver 3 door HFV 594S. I paid a hundred quid of a pal of mine in 1986. I got wrote off a few months later after a argument with a brand new Sierra. I remember it being so much nicer to drive than my pals MK2 Escort. Shame they could rot like mad though.

[Alan_Green]

How on earth did it survive?  Is there a tale to tell?  I have an '82 Mazda 626 Montrose that only survived because it was trapped in a heated garage for 23 years until the elderly owner (Wilfred) eventually died.   

 

PS. That ad is decidely dubious. 

 

PPS. Australia has a thriving retro Mazda scene. There are a couple of Facebook groups - Mazda collectors and restorers and Mazda classics. 

[Cavcraft]

Jesus, that's a rare (and fabulous) sight. Well purchased!

[AlabamaShrimp]

What can I say that the others already haven't other than how much was it?

[DVee8]

Just look at that

 

Now that needs to be a July calendar shot

[eddyramrod]

Lovely!  And even the right gearbox, very well done indeed!  I approve.

[vulgalour]

I thought these were extinct in the UK.

[danthecapriman]

Wow! Not seen one of those for ages. They are nice looking little things too.

 

Great buy!

[Guest Breadvan72]

I hereby declare this thread to be WORLD O' WINNAH.   

[Pillock]

Now that is what we call a comeback. Love it, top purchasing skills there.

[Electric Leyland]

Loving the Mazda love fellas!

 

It's so orange, even the seats are joining in.

[Electric Leyland]

And a quick fleet shot for good measure.

 

 

[trigger]

Jesus wept, if that isn't winning then I don't know what is! What a absolute hunny, and that interior is the icing on the cake.

 

Very well played there Richard!

[DVee8]

I think this wins the. Whole July calendar