Familia Fortunes: Mazda 1000 and 323 (BF) - A Real Road Test

In this video, I drive two generations of Mazda Familia, on some of the most congested roads I've ever seen. Contains hot wiper action! Because HubNut.
Both cars were on the Retro Japanese stand at Japfest 2019 and are owned by www.dftrautomotive.co.uk
This video is sponsored by Lancaster Insurance: www.lancasteri... or call 01480 587035 for a quote. Use promo code DISC15 for £15 off!
Visit hubnut.org for lovely merchandise! We now have a Patreon account too - take a look: / hubnut

[@club1fan552]

We have a Mazda 1000 like this, but with the posh 1300cc engine. We have had it since new (44 years). It also has luxuries like 4 doors, full interior carpeting and a radio. The glove box is also huge. What more is there? You didn't try the lever on either side of the dash that operates a truly cyclonic ventilation system. Yes, we had fuses in the ash tray for years. First major repair was when she was 40 years old with 380,000 kms when she lost compression. The performance with the 1272 cc engine is brilliant. Heaps of torque. But as you found out, you need to warm her up but you can drive her in 35 degrees no sweat. That engine performs much better in hot weather. Top speed 145 km/hr. All of those models had an OHC engine and a rotary was never offered in this body shape. The closest was the R100 based on the 1200 coupe from the late 60's or a Mazda RX3.

[@O1Richard]

That Mazda 1000 is for sale on eBay for £5,000 or best offer and that advert did mention your channel.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

I just love old japanese cars they are so well engineered (close to perfection) and last 4 ever if you take care against rust. Japanese cars are better than german cars.

[@stevenjoy3537]

I don't see the appeal of German cars, except bottom end ones like the old 1980s Polo. If you want long term reliability get Japanese, however I get shit cause I say for flair and style, French or Italian are better

[@utubeleplague]

@@stevenjoy3537 I love the French cars as well. And they can take a lot as well as Japanese cars...

[@Teribus13]

@@stevenjoy3537 I agree with your comment about German cars. My uncle had an old A-reg Polo breadvan that simply wouldn't die. It just wanted to last forever. However my wife has a modern SEAT using all VW mechanicals, and it's been a constant headache throughout ownership. Can't wait to get rid of the PoS!

[@rich_edwards79]

At this point I very much think the Germans are trading on their past reputation for reliability and engineering. Audis and BMWs in particular seem to have become stupidly complex and fragile as a result. Japanese cars on the other hand seem to go on forever (especially Toyotas) - it's just a pity that they're generally not very interesting (although they did make some very pretty cars in the Seventies, the Mazda definitely being one).

[@Schlipperschlopper]

@@rich_edwards79 Today most german cars are made from Chinese components its a sad story, but even the Japanese buy lots of components from China....

[@Teribus13]

In regards using the handbrake at traffic lights, the advice is right there in the highway code. Rule 114 for example contains the statement: "In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again." which relates exactly to what you, and many others are saying: it reduces glare, it stops the person behind being dazzled by your brake lights. Especially important with modern LED lighting systems! Some VW owners have claimed to me in the past that their brake lights stay on with the handbrake on, but footbrake released (technically going against Construction & Use regs). If that's the case, it's not just emissions that are dodgy about VWs...

[@alfonsodriver1324]

Yes agree, read the Highway Code, it answers most questions. Not all! It is clear on this question. However the VW question is interesting: could it be - VW's using the MQB platform, when using 'Auto Hold' to keep you stationary (either an automatic/DSG to stop creep, or with a manual trans), seem to apply the brake lights for some reason, even though your foot is off the brake pedal. I don't think the earlier Golf Mk VI or Tiguan Mk1 applied the brake lights when sitting on 'Auto Hold'. Strange.

[@kimkiriniki9433]

That Mazda 1000 is an absolute gem. We ran a pickup version (F1000) for years in Zimbabwe, just seeing the dashboard brought back many good memories. My Dad and I fitted a Datsun 1400 engine, gearbox and rear axle into it after the original engine died...it ran on for at least a decade afterwards..great fun, and a bit of a 'sleeper '

[@williamgreer4087]

That 323 estate is so cool, late 80s/early 90s is my favourite era of cars, they remind me of all the stuff that was around when I was little 👍 Plus you get retro coolness but with fuel injection, electric windows and good reliability.

[@owensteele1274]

I researched the paint code AM. It is Phoenix Blue, 1969 to 1975. Very nice colour.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

Very similar to the Wheeler Dealers MX-5 but I thinnk it suited the 1000 much better.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

.. and me thinking it would be Aqua Marine :lol:

[@2Worlds_and_InBetween]

it is nice

[@kodessa]

i need the chill driving nature that hubnut has.

[@elbecko7969]

Yeah, I can't help pretending to be Keke Rosberg behind the wheel

[@tony68080]

What I always liked about 1970's Japanese cars was the amount of standard equipment on them where as almost everything in our home ( uk ) built car was an optional extra.

[@stepheng8779]

Well said about the handbrake, as a migraine sufferer nothing literally does my head in more!

[@Shane-zx4ps]

Great in-car camera work very visual and clear. I love the old cars they had so much more glass

[@nogginozzy6710]

My great uncle had a 1971 1300 four door. A white one and he would bring it around to our place when it needed maintenance as my dad was a motor mechanic. I remember riding in it when dad would take it for a test drive. I would be bouncing around in the back seat without seat belts, as cars back in the early 70’s ( and earlier) weren’t legally required to have rear belts installed. Great listening to this little survivor as it brought back great memories of riding in uncle Bill’s Mazda 1300! Thanks Hubnut!!! 👍

[@nogginozzy6710]

Another thing to add... my dad had a 1969 Mazda 1200 four door sedan which he bought brand new. I never saw it though. He said it was a fun little car to drive.

[@grayfool]

The thing with Japanese cars is that they continue to be nice for a very long time. Our old Carina completed over 180,000 miles with zero issues. An amazing machine for going places. Just wasn't very exciting, didn't care about that 'cause we always knew we would arrive and get back. Perfect.

[@Ravensclawed]

My Dad had an 87' 323 4 door saloon 1.3 5 speed in gold metallic. Had it for 15 years and never missed a beat. It's biggest claim to fame was despite being a saloon it had a rear wiper Previously he also had an 81' 323 BD version which was mechanically bulletproof but had rust issues

[@vikingraiders4138]

That Mazda 323 wagon was a neat and tidy design.

[@kevinwhelan8126]

That little Mazda 1000 is simply delightful.

[@bernddoerper5667]

Thank's a lot for this video. A Mazda 323 BD 1,3 from 1983 was my sisters first car. She got it in 1989. During that time I drove my Opel Kadett C 1,2 sedan (Chevette ). To my Opel the Mazda was a really luxury car. And with only 60 HP it could go somewhat quickly. It had very comfortable seats compaering to other cars in this compact class like Opel Kadett D (Astra) , Ford Escort or Golf Mark I. That car was the reason for me to change to Mazda. In 1993 I got 1990 Mazda 323 F with those nice popub lights. Only driven 24.000 km by the first owner . The 323 F was sold very succsesful in that time. My wife got my Kadett. I loved that Mazda so much, but in 2000 I gave it to my wife, when I got my 626 GF sedan 2l 16V with full options from 1998. That one was better to tow my caravan. The 323 my wife drove until 2009 and gave it away for a new Mazda 5 2,0 16V. The 323 had a 1,6 8V engine and had, when we gave it away 385.000 km!!! We hadn't any trouble at all, only ordinary repairs and services. But at the end it was very difficult to get new TÜV (MOT) because of rust and steering problems. It was one of the best cars I ever had. Sometimes I like to have again one. At the moment I love and enjoy my third 626 from 1999, also full options. When I got it in 2018 the first owner drove only 83.000 km. My second 626 from 2000, which I got in 2011, after the first one was crashed by my wife, was untypical rusty. So I changed this to the actuell one. Compaering to the reliability to the Mazdas of the 80's and 90's our Mazda 5 is a real troubleshooter. So thank you again for this nice roadtest.

[@TIMMEH19991]

I can just remember those Mazda 1000s from when I first started work back in 83. Ususally it was ringing up the scrap man to take them away after they had failed the MOT. Early Japanese cars were often quite interesting and sometimes downright exotic (Mazda RX3, Nissan Cedric etc) for example, but they all suffered from terminal body corrosion. I miss those days when cars were so diverse.

[@marklittler784]

My friends mum had a Datsun 120Y the heater burnt your shoes, the seats supported Japanese people well but nobody else, when they came to sell it every buyer enquired about how much rust it had, not whether it had any.

[@marklittler784]

I particularly remember the adverts on tv by A&B Datsuns Newton le willows in fact you couldn't get away from them or BOC or the adverts for PIPS disco behind the cathedral Manchester

[@brucescott2263]

My mother purchased a brand new Australian Mazda 1300 (your Mazda 1000), in 1975, I learned to drive on it, a four speed manual, a lively high revving 1300 cc motor coupled to a very smooth transmission. Mazda excellence starting to manifest itself.

[@club1fan552]

Exact same story as us Bruce...except I still have ours.

[@riccardoscavo8485]

19:48 I knew what you were gonna say ''previous owner was a smoker, I suspect'' well you suspected right! All my cars had a cigarette burns between my legs except I am a pipe and a cigar smoker, I get my stash from Holland regularly as my brother and his family who have settled in Hilversum 25 km from Amsterdam visit us here in the UK. I've learnt my lesson and have bought me seat covers to protect my leather interior on my Volvo V70 D5 SE. But, frequently cinders so to speak fly off my pipe and burn my shirts and trousers. Always a pleasure watching you

[@markfinnigan4994]

Hey Ian, in Australia in the 80's, you early 90's in this model, we had both the Mazda, and in a flash of badge engineering, the Ford Laser/Meteor! My God! Where will it end?

[@rydermike33]

Both nice cars but the '1000' just does it for me. It doesn't make the tea or talk to you, it just does what a car should do really. Simply charming. Thanks for the road test Ian.

[@wollaminfaetter]

I just love original and untouched corrosion.

[@mickles1975]

That glorious glorious transmission whine. I do appreciate a good transmission whine.

[@TrickysFlyingBurrito]

When life serves up an MOT failure, just enjoy a soothing Hubnut video to try and forget all about it.

[@danielpothier9990]

The elegant simplicity, love cars of that era. I miss my 1980 corrola-tercel in bright yellow, 1 litre engine. Thanks HubNut!

[@trigsretromotors]

I actually know this little Mazda, i was offered it last year for a few hundred pounds by a friend of the family as the owners widow wanted it gone of the drive, it literally lived behind my house in Ipswich. Before I had chance to view it the lady's son in law had put it on eBay. The right thing to do for the lady but I missed out on a very cheap new project car! Good to see it again and back on the road!

[@SAM-zt2uy]

The other thing with applying the handbrake when at traffic lights is if you are rear ended your less likely to cause a pile up if the handbrake is on.

[@SPTSuperSprinter156]

handbrake on and rest your foot over the brake pedal. no brake light dazzle but if you are hit you will instinctively (or just because of the physical movement) push the pedal which will help keep the car rooted. Handbrakes aren't that strong (consider that people occasionally erroneously drive away with them on).

[@DecalCentralUK]

bloody hell you go past the bottom of our road in Lye! :)

[@PaulinesPastimes]

I had a 1971 Mazda 1300 Coupe. It had all the fruit and was lovely in Swan White with white wall tyres. I was young and inexperienced and crashed it, 3 times :-( I have always missed my Mazda and there are none left today. Thanks for the test.

[@Bevoin1970]

So Im sitting here thinking that road looks familiar, then you go point out Merry Hill and the penny drops...lol - Fancy you coming all that way to use a Black Country garage. Love the car!! Thumbs up from me.

[@behzadutube]

Two of my uncles had the pickup version of this "Mazda 1000" in the early 80s in Iran... have childhood memories with them! This example you have here is simply fantastic!!

[@anderschristensen106]

My first car was a 1974 "kermit" green Mazda 1300 (they was called "313" in Denmark) like the one you tested but with DeLuxe interiour and 1 (ONE) speaker under the dash and mono radio, asfalt sound insulation, umbrella holder on the parcel shelf, extra coathooks on the "B" pillar and other extravagant luxurious stuff. Those were the days when "top trim" ment bling on the gear knob, heated rear window and remote opening of the boot by cable was really luxurious HA HA

[@bellandhowell2899]

Thank you for mentioning about using the handbrake when stopping. I also get annoyed by people who don't use it, as i hate having my retinas burnt out by brake lights, especially by the LED lighting at night! Excellent video by they way.

[@joaosabino2909]

This Mazda elegant style lines caught my eye in the '70's.

[@jonathandugan7418]

Love the Japanese cars like the way there's a blank space in the 1000 reminding someone they should of spent more

[@kimkiriniki9433]

All of the little RWD Japanese cars of that time were delightful..beautifully simple, well made, reliable. Good brakes, easy to drive, light steering, precise gearchanges..quite a revelation at the time. The Mazda 1000 was in good company with the Daihatsu Compagno (particularly delicious in Estate form), Datsun 1200 etc....but by far the best was the Isuzu Bellet..okay, 1500cc OHC, but what a terrific car to drive..made my Dad's Jaguar 3.4 Mk 2 feel prehistoric..

[@nickwills6042]

I passed my driving test 3.5 years ago (I am 20) and I was also told to wait with the handbrake on - drives me mad when people don't do it, they just roll backwards!

[@conradmeinecke5861]

I passed in 2017 an was also taught this

[@gmodderr]

I literally just realized I'm a brake pedal holder.. Luckily I only drive 30 plus year old cars and they don't tend to have as bright brake lights

[@MyFabian94]

You can launch uphill without the Handbrake if you have a stable Idle and a Non-Binary Left Foot. With a Diesel it's especially simple.

[@TheFakeRussian]

When I was taught to drive, (over 30 years ago now), my instructor *MADE* me use the clutch on hills and I still use it these days. Hand brakes are for when you're stuck on a hill and it's going to be a while before you move off.

[@mehrzahl2219]

@@TheFakeRussian using the clutch to keep the car from rolling backwards is not a good practice! Not sure if that's what you mean, but doing so will wear out your clutch plates really fast.

[@schlookie]

My mum had a 4 door Mazda RX2 super delux in this colour as her daily driver back in the 80s here in New Zealand. I remember it had to be warmed up for about 20 minutes on the driveway with the choke out in the winter, before it would run properly. A neighbour down the street had the same car (in British Racing Green) except it was badged as a Capella, which was the piston engined version. A lot of the controls and instruments in the Mazda 1000 appear to be identical to the RX2/Capella. The BF model 323 was hugely popular here in NZ and there are still heaps still driving around. A rebadged version was also sold as the Ford Laser which was a replacement for the Escort in NZ and Australia. I'm pretty sure the Laser BF wagon lasted in production pretty late in Australia until about 1999/2000 even though the hatch and sedan had been replaced by newer generations.

[@janhanchenmichelsen2627]

So cute. A car you can dismantle in an afternoon with a Leatherman. And turquoise is such an underrated colour!

[@RayEttler]

i think the word underrated is underrated

[@ruglund]

had a mazda 1300 to drive on the fields. was good fun... my mate did his apprenticeship at the local mazda dealer. he got a 323 bf back then, and modded it with gtx parts, orange DIGITAL dash, still has it as far as i know 20 years on... good cars that drove allright

[@robhosking9399]

Another Hugely Enjoyable Road Test Ian! For Me The Real Gem Of The Test Was That Beautifully Preserved 1974 M Reg Mazda 1000. How Beautifully Built, And Such Charm! I Owned A 1979 T Reg, First Generation 5 Door Mazda 323 Automatic Hatchback, In Metallica Gold, With Lovely Golden Velour Interior! What A Luxury Car From 1979!!! Precious Japanese Engineering! As You Know, The First Generation Rear Wheel Drive 323 Came Out In 1977, On An R Reg Plate, Available As A 2 Door, And 5 Door Hatch, With Either Manuel Or Automatic Option. Your Road Test Of That Gorgeous Mazda 1000, Was Fascinating! As I've Never Been In One Of Those! And It Was Very Refined For 1974! Well Done On A Super Road Test Again Ian!!!!

[@johnnorth9355]

Give me an Hillman Imp any day - Japanese cars were far too reliable and not adventurous to drive because of it ! You could rely on the Imp to break down in the most awkward places - such excitement on every journey :-) .

[@imnotamechanic3491]

This is so true - where's the fun on knowing your car is going to start and complete the journey without issue? My best car stories are of when the cars aren't working properly!

[@JS-1983]

My dad drove rally with couple Mazda 1200 or 1300 models on 70's and 80's. Those were older model with smaller taillights. That model which you filmed called Marella in here and dad told me that you can't drive rally with those Marellas, because that didn't had some classification. He liked them very much, because sharp engine, great transmission, nimble handling on narrow roads, because it was so small and narrow and it was pretty reliable too, but rust... I think there isn't many of those left anymore, but have seen few on classic car meets and shows. Very nice looking tiny car 😎 Dad had also 1500 wagon.

[@martinjones7631]

man what a couple of retro rides what a find and drive

[@jdmguy44]

What a neat little car that Mazda 1000 is. Cars from this era normally don't interest me that much but Japanese cars are an exception. They were ahead of their time.

[@paolotarantino-televainio6706]

I always had a soft spot for Familias and for this reason I’ve just bought a 1980 orange first series 323/3rd generation Familia in 3-door 1.4 Automatic form, is the last model year of the FA4 323 with square headlights in place of the round “bugeye” ones. I’ve had to go to the Netherlands for finding it because here in Italy were very rare when new and extinct today.... Lovely these examples of 1000 and 323 estate of your video, shame in my opinion that the other two 1000/1300s are going to have a rotary engine transplant....

[@stephenhillard7912]

In Australia we had 1300 cc 2,4 door and estate versions. Your review brought back fond memories. 323 Mazda and Ford Lazer shared development in Australasia right up to your generation 323 which we new as the Astina. I currently drive a 2.5 litre Mazda 3 Astina. 2019 and we have lost the door illumination and the lumbar adjustment. We had the Mazda Capella and the 808 all available as RX rotary .

[@woooster17]

“Makes you wonder why people buy cars and then not use” True... but I’m glad a few chose this to do this as it allows us to see time warp non restored cars today..

[@mfbfreak]

That downshift gear whine is delightful.

[@TheFakeRussian]

After the Jag video it's great to see HubNut get back to traditional old cars with basic engineering and no centre console so we can see his feet working those pedals. I really miss the old days of no engine management, no electrics pack and no all singing and dancing electronics. Good solid basic engineering is a day gone by. Now it's all ECU's, computers to control the brakes, steering, timing, ect and you need a laptop to "fix" your car instead of a spanner.

[@gryfandjane]

Very enjoyable! That little 1000 is a gem to be sure... a real time capsule. I don’t recall seeing them here in the USA.

[@wanderinggentile]

The American accent was fine. You nailed it.

[@thepologuy8751]

Sitting on the handbrake is totally the correct way to do things. Not just for courtesy towards other drivers retinas, but also because if your brakes are warm and you sit stationary on the footbrake, you can leave scars on the discs. This can lead to pitting and warping of the discs further down the line.

[@orange_light_pictures]

Your vids are never boring, if only for the love of orange and grey, nice.

[@stevedable]

The 323 was a great little thing. Great for teaching the kids to drive (bullet proof) yet good enough to take on a 200 mile trip at decent speeds without having to thrash them. Definitely function over form and I like that!

[@BelfastMurf]

Fully agree on the parking brake at lights thing. That’s how I was taught too. Blinding drivers behind you with your brake lights is just rude!

[@nigelh4617]

I learned to drive in a Mazda 1000. My instructor had fitted "huggy bear" furry seat covers to it. I used to get out of it, drenched in sweat. Happy days...

[@jack7431]

I thought I recognised that BF before! I was following you when you were driving down the Birmingham New Road, I know it was you because I saw the HubNut sticker on the back!

[@dlittlester]

I bought a brand new 323 in 1991, but it here in Canada, the four door sedan (saloon) one I bought was called the Protege. It had a 1.8 litre engine, and was I'm sure one of the best cars I've ever owned. I worked for several Mazda dealers in parts. The first was in '72 if I remember correctly. Back then, there were a few 1000s about but they had stopped importing them. There was a rotary version in coupe form called the R100. We still serviced them and replaced engines as required. The other cars available back then were the 616, 618, RX2, all on the Capella body style, and the 808 coupe, sedan, and wagon, and RX3 rotary. The little B1800 pickup truck was also available. I worked at the same dealership a couple years later, and the lineup had changed quite a bit, then moved to the west coast, and ended up at a Mazda dealer here between '91 and '94. If I remember correctly, the GLC, at least the first ones, were front engine, north and south, driving the rear wheels, and they saved Mazda's bacon. They were in dire straits because of the money they had to put out fixing rotary engines before they became reliable. Then when they went front wheel drive, the name changed to 323. One more thing... We were told that we had to remove the plastic from the door panels, seats and sunvisors because in the heat and sunlight, the plastic broke down and emitted a toxic gas. Cheers, and thanks for another interesting video, Ian!

[@maxgreece1]

That Mazda 1000 kinda reminds my of the Toyota 1000 (pre-dating the Starlet) my mother used to have in the same period. That was was quite well equipped - having a radio and carpets and everything....

[@mikecawood]

Love both the Familia and the 323 Estate.

[@robenglish416]

Lovely! My uncle had a 1000, in the reddish colour on the 1300. It was very nice but he switched it for a Fiat Ritmo later. My dad had a 323 sedan from 1992 that gave him a lot of cheap milage, a very reliable and economic car, but with squeky seats. Sat very low in it as I remember. And floor controls for fuel lid and boot!

[@loganlovescarsandmotorcycles]

I have never seen a 323 estate. My first car was a gold 323 5 speed 3 door hatchback. It was a low power but fun car. Built like a tank with those huge safety bumpers and a great car to learn to drive stick. Mine had hand crank windows and moon roof. My car also had 50,000km when I bought it and no rust. It's a car with some rallying history so there is a all wheel drive turbo version.

[@samkaur4098]

Here in Australia that body shape was sold as the Mazda 1300 from 1973 to 1977.My aunt bought a new one in 1975 in automatic form.Same colour as the car in the video.

[@terryatkinson3182]

That Mazda is lovely. They would want to tackle the few little rust spots to preserve it. It's a time warp car.

[@northstar1950]

Yup, traffic light after traffic light just about sums the area up! I thought it looked familiar.

[@daviddenham2971]

I picked up a 2000 Mazda 323 Astina on Wednesday night. Fun car to drive.

[@timelwell7002]

A previous girlfriend of mine had a metallic brown 5-door Mazda 323 hatchback (manual) Mark 1. It was a very nice, strangely endearing little car.

[@LJG0305]

Wow, Ipswich! I live 10 minutes from Ipswich and I often visit to see my Dad who lives there. I adore that little Mazda 1000 (Familia); lovely little car! Great video as always, HubNut!

[@A-Smith]

In the late 70's/early 80's, a darker blue, 1300 version of this Mazda would have been seen pootling around the environs of Aberystwyth with me & my brother in the back as my Gran ferried us around. Great memories & thanks for a great channel. p.s. I'm still local & have passed you a few times!

[@philiplindley7384]

Yes, Phoenix Blue. AND Harbour Blue Metallic on the BF.

[@barryphillips7327]

I own a 1997 Ford Laser GL 1.5 SW, ( basically the same car as the 323 Mazda tested here ) same colour as this Mazda SW, nice car very reliable very economical on fuel, i enjoy driving it.The Japanese cars generally were well built well engineered Rust was a problem on some, by 90s it was sorted, the British BMCs Fords etc were ok but their engineering was out of date, OHV engines until at least the 80s or later!!

[@flipflopthong2]

The Mazda 1200 was sold as a sedan and wagon in Australia. It was identical but for a garnish panel between the tail lights. We recognise the 323 estate as a Ford Laser Ghia.

[@gosportjamie]

The one thing that largely stands out to me about the Mazda 1000 range, having grown up and started paying attention to cars in the second half of the '70s was how rusty most of them were by that time. Corrosion resistance and rust protection were not wonderful on them...

[@HubNut]

No, but then everything rotted badly at the time. Japanese metal did seem bad though.

[@andylamb3788]

The noise it makes reminds me of the datsun cherry my dad owned in the 70s

[@moochincrawdad]

I've been sitting here watching this review wondering why these cars seemed so "familiar" to me (😀) and I realised that there's an old couple that lived at the top of my street - the wife owned a Mazda 1000 and the husband owned a Mazda 323 - to see them both in one video brought back so many memories! 😀

[@CodgerBiker]

Great video. My memory, as a kid in early 70s, is people caring far more about starting than handling. Every street seemingly had gangs of blokes pushing rusting Hillmans and Austins up and down side streets trying to get each other to work. Often I would join in on my way to school and remember more than once pushing my hand into and through rusty filler bodged rear wings. Then came Datsun and everyone got fat! Stop/start ‘technology’ on my Subaru dazzles everyone behind. Apologises...

[@shed6557]

Great vid, my dad bought a brand new Mazda 818 estate in 1975 and I ended up with it 18 years later. It had an electrical quirk in that if you held that small hazard warning light stall half way between on and off you could turn the ignition off and take the key out and the engine carried on running. Unfortunately if you did try this when driving along the steering lock did it’s thing, not advisable. Keep them coming sir.

[@MrGazzw]

Your right, not enough use of the handbrake these days. Not sure why, but I like the orange layout, I find It oddly pleasing, and a lot easier to see.

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

I passed my test in 1975, and I'm all to familiar with numpties sitting at the lights in neutral, and hearing the Familia (did you see what I did there?) 'P-chwangg!' as the clutch is dipped and first selected! I too, sit at the lights with the handbrake on, in first, with a dipped clutch! One of the 'junior reps' that worked for the same company as me (I was a mechanic) was told he could have a 1000cc company car, so he chose the Mazda 1000, but was told he couldn't have one as it wasn't British. So, he asked about an Austin 1100. His boss said he couldn't have one, as it was 1100cc. Hecould have a Mini 1000, or a Morris Minor 1000! Boss would NOT be told that all 3 cars use the same engine! :-/

[@12uniflew]

The hot window wiper action always get me in stitches! love it and i love how you try it on most all cars you get or get a loan off hehe

[@lauriehasnip55]

Ha! Remember many a shopping trip to Merry Hell back in the 90s.

[@msignal2000]

I worked for a Mazda dealer in the 1980's here in NZ. They sold the RWD 323 station wagons along side the FWD hatch and saloon for At least five years. I think Nissan was the first of the Japanese companies to produce a FWD station wagon.

[@niklasgroning5792]

Between the rear lights there should be a grey/black plastic panel, with that it looks like a Plymouth Barracuda 1967 from behind! Here in Finland they had 1300 engine and was named Mazda Marella.

[@HubNut]

Yes, I think only the 1300 had the black panel.

[@niklasgroning5792]

@@HubNut Yes i did see there was a red 1300, sorry i commented before i had seen the entire video, you can rev those engines really high.

[@dazt103]

Well said Ian. One thing I hate is being sat behind some b*llend with their foot constantly on the brake pedal. The newish cars with particularly intense bright LED lights that blind everyone...really annoy.

[@AaronSmart.online]

@@system11yt People who are flashing their reverse lights are putting it into park, not neutral!

[@rich_edwards79]

@@system11yt Agreed. The fad for ridiculously bright lights on cars is a threat to safety, not an improvement. If you can't see the perfectly adequate lights from a car made before the current era of 'my lights are brighter than yours' you probably shouldn't be driving a car.

[@Wreck-Gar]

E-brakes and stop start systems (both totally pointless and a pain in the arse) are another reason people sit on their brakes in queues too :(

[@HappyDaysNI]

We used to have one of these. Same brown colour as the 1300. I had completely forgotten that we had it! It was replaced by a 323 hatchback in blue, in which I learned to drive. Just on the handbrake thing, both of my cars now have electronic brakes. When using the ‘hold’ function (exactly the same as putting on the handbrake) the lights are lit up. The only way to stop this happening is to apply the e-brake which involves reaching way under the dash to locate a button. It’s easier just to shove the brake pedal to engage hold. That’s why so many drivers appear to have their foot on the brakes, I think. They might not have. Plus in these nanny state, health and safety conscious times, the do-gooders would prefer brake lights on to minimise the chances of Kyle and Aaron running into the back of you as they didn’t see you stationary because they were too busy sending a Snapchat.

[@willdatsun]

This lives down the other end of my road. If the owner is watching, come and say hi.

[@mpkcleaningservices-cardet2835]

In Australia we got theMazda 323 wagon for a few years sold alongside ford version which was sold as the Ford Meteor wagon initially then became the Ford Laser wagon later and was assembled in Australia up to about 1994 long after the imported Mazda version had disappeared from our market they were a popular little wagon now haven’t seen one in years a little wagon is really something that you can’t really get new anymore,

[@adrianmclean9195]

Until the next generation of 323, our wagons - 323 and Laser, were still rwd with longitudinal engines, in the same body. They were regarded as stronger and more long lived than the sedans and hatches and very desirable.

[@dmodeboy]

What a cracking little car! love that...and nice to see the Suffolk dealer sticker in the rear window. Still flying the flag for my home county!

[@andrewhaines8603]

My brother brought his Mazda 1000 back from Malta after his posting to the RAF out there ended. I couldn't tell you much about it other than it was yellow and he was always tinkering with it! I also use handbrake when stopped at lights and I gear down when approaching junctions, lights and roundabouts. Apparently they don't teach that anymore, but it's a useful "habit" to have especially when driving with a heavily laden vehicle.

[@HubNut]

Yes, gears to go, brakes to slow is the mantra these days. I agree with it not at all.

[@Mark_T]

I completely agree with your comment about using the parking brake at traffic lights. I was taught to use it and I always do. I dislike staring at glaring brake lights. It's just laziness on the part of the driver.

[@paulillingworth1242]

It sounds lovely and very period sounding Japanese motor and transmission.

[@MalcOfLincoln]

Well done on using the handbrake. I don't know if you've ever mentioned it, but watched all your videos since you got TWK....However when Japanese cars were first imported, they had no rust protection. I saw a 3 year old car being welded up, even had holes in the roof. Now that beats BMC hands down, even the 1100 with the water trap on the rear subframe mounts.

[@BelfastMurf]

Can’t believe how long it’s been since I saw one of those... they were quite common once.

[@georgiamcdermott5140]

If you don't use your handbrake at traffic lights - you will fail your driving test. That still rings true today. I did my test in summer 2017 and still do use the handbrake. It's better for the car as well.

[@Qwerty1235945]

I learned to drive in a C Reg Mazda 323 which was bloody lovely to drive. At the time, my Dad has an S Reg Chrysler Avenger which wasn’t.

[@gikku3]

I had a 1200 in my little 'Familia' from about 1969. Terrific little car. It topped out at not much more than 70mph (110km/h)

[@1066gaz]

Funny you mention about 1977. That's when my parents bought some regency repro furniture that still has the thick plastic wrappings on the seats after 42 years haha. That mazda 1000 is a real looker though.