FOUR Wheel Steering! JDM 1989 Ford Telstar TX5 GT - One Owner

[@xkimopye]

Similar story. My grandma still has her AS tx5 turbo she bought brand new in 1985, only 125,000 kms today and still in excellent condition. I’m the main driver of it now, but it’s still her car, and still at her house, and she is very fond of it.

[@wasabicars]

Ah, very nice. It's always good to hear stories like that

[@jessek2946]

This video bloody slaps, Daniel. So few people would even give a Ford Telstar a second look - so good to see one that’s been treasured 👏🏻

[@wasabicars]

Thank you! For sure, the subject matter won't set the world alight, but it was a fun video to make. Thanks for watching

[@cliffordcoolman4362]

Thanks for the video. Those Telstars were available in Trinidad. I believe they shared some parts with the Mazda 626. Glad to hear the project is coming along. Cheers!

[@wasabicars]

Yeah, so many Japanese Fords (and Aussie Fords) rolled out of the Mazda factory in Japan

[@grahamcastanelli6777]

Factory FE3 Telstar!! Love the GC & GD platforms. Currently restoring an original AS TX5 Turbo. Thanks for the Video Dan🤙

[@wasabicars]

That's awesome, Graham. Actually, I think I prefer the earlier one myself. Nice one!

[@banpeinet]

Thanks for sharing that video! If course Ford kept the good stuff far far away from Europe, so we never got the Telstar. I guess they were too afraid it would lower sales of the Sierra... I must say if I squint my eyes I can see a cappella/626 in it!

[@drake5557]

Man that's an oddball ford! Digging the 1st gen probe as well. Loved the styling on the sister MX6 car of those years. Don't see much of the 1st gen probes in the states, rare cars.

[@darkcorsair247]

my electronics teacher once told me that they used to rewirw the solenoids of the engine to drag race them back in the day...

[@danteeightsix]

My second car was a Probe LX imported from Canada, so the speedometer read in km.

[@tomonorifuruya967]

This car is mazda626fastback japanese neme for mazdacapella citygear(CG) 2.0cereble 4ws.

[@nevillepretorius8948]

We got the newer that that Ford Telstar TX5 and similar Mazda MX6 in South Africa. They had butter smooth 2.5 V6 engines!

[@gophrx4]

In the late 90s I was an apprentice. My boss would travel to Japan and export these AT Telstar and GD 626 and other Mazda’s back to Australia. 4 wheel steer was more common to be found in the Mazda’s. The 2 litre twin cam was a FE series engine and the Ford badge was screwed on because it could be changed to a Mazda. Also fitted the engine to the early GC 626 changing out the FE single cam carbureted for the twin cam EFI. grate conversion and that engine could rev. Those were the days playing with import cars. Love your work Daniel 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@wasabicars]

Thank for that insight. Yeah, I boo-booed about the engine in this one. I really am clueless about the technical stuff. I need to up my game

[@gophrx4]

@@wasabicars your game is good buddy. It’s awesome the cars you find 👍🏻👍🏻

[@mazdamedia5995]

I’ve actually been looking for one of these in 626 form as a daily so I can rest my Rx8. They’ve aged well.

[@wasabicars]

Fore sure. And personally, I find the two door versions (like the GC 626 in the opening montage) pretty compelling

[@southerndiy1]

So cool. I was obsessed with the Mx6/626/Tx5s when I was younger (first car was an 89 Mx6 turbo 4ws), but never knew this unicorn existed. Thanks Daniel!

[@wasabicars]

Thank you for watching :)

[@kmfw72]

I remember seeing one of these 4WS TX5s in NZ back in 1996 - used Japanese import. NZ was the only place in the world outside Japan to get the Telstar wagon, which was assembled locally alongside its Mazda 626 twin at the VANZ assembly plant until 1997.

[@johneddy908]

Before the Probe (built in Flat Rock, Michigan) came along there was another Japanese Ford, sold by the Lincoln-Mercury Division - the Mercury Tracer (known in Japan and Australia as the Ford Laser). For the U.S. market, two-door Tracers were built in Japan while four-door models were built in Mexico.

[@landark1967]

I got a couple issues of Car Graphic a few months back just on a whim. One from 1983 and the other from 1968. They are incredible. I thought they were going to be normal magazine size and I was shocked when they arrived and the box weighed a ton. The 1968 issue had a ton of Hakosuka coverage and it's hard to believe that at one time they were just cars you could go to the dealer and buy like it wasn't a big deal.

[@wasabicars]

Haha! I hear you. I have all the 68's. So many cool adverts, etc... Love them

[@harrisonhunter7512]

These are hard to find now here too in Australia and New Zealand.I had a NZ new one in 94 as a work car not 4ws thou as they came optional only on Japanese imported models.Great video Danny something different 👍.

[@wasabicars]

Thank you. Yes, something different. And to my surprise, it's performing quite well.

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Hey Dan hope your doing ok over there, wow never seen 1 this old with 4 wheel steer, Holden Gemini in that workshop, nice video as always great job cheers KC Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺🤝🇦🇺😎👍

[@365tips]

Mazda 626 GD was sold in Finland with 1,6; 1,8; 2,0 carburetor engines. 1,6i; 2,0i and 2,2i fuel injection engines and 2,0 diesel version. Most cars were sold here as front wheel drive, but 4wd was option and also 4ws version (sadly not available in the same car). 1,6i was made only to Finnish market due to company car rules back in the day. It gave 15hp more than carburetor version. Conversion was made here in Finland. 626 GD was very popular car here in its time. I had one ten years ago, a 2,0i. A lovely car and regret selling it.

[@wasabicars]

Wow. Thank you so much for all that information. Appreciated

[@hqwoody327]

I can’t remember the last time I saw a Telstar in Aus. Crazy to think how many we used to see!

[@wasabicars]

Not even the last time?! Damn. In other news. Thanks for the HQ pics. Also, I'm looking on FB at "John Statesman's" pics from today's event. The bronze one with the white roof looks outstanding

[@67tomcat]

What a beauty! Love seeing the late 1980's cars in decent shape.

[@wasabicars]

I have some terrible, terrible news. I posted the video to a Facebook group, and someone there posted a link to all of its stripped parts. Yep, THIS car is getting dismantled. I'm gutted

[@67tomcat]

@@wasabicars Why the hell would someone strip this car? They must be so rare in Japan, and even in Australia/NZ. What a shame.

[@ghostofhobs]

The only modern version of 4WS that I can think of is on a GMC pickup. But the older version were the Hikas "probably spelled that wrong" in the Skyline and 180/240sx and the 4WS Prelude witch was said to out corner the top Ferrari's of the time

[@Baker_7498]

4ws is still around, mostly on high end cars like Porsche 911

[@reddermot]

HICAS High Capacity Actively controlled Steering.

[@davidbarnsley8486]

That’s a great video and much a shame the garage has gone At least you have put it on the web so it can be seen for eternity They were an amazing car back in the day the last model tx5 😍😍👍👍

[@wasabicars]

Thanks, David.Exactly. The video will preserve its memory.

[@PhilipShand]

The turbo version of these cars were absolute belters !

[@IrishWannabe]

0:29 we have the same generation Mazda 626 but as a Sedan!

[@wasabicars]

Ah, nice :)

[@gred_cz]

cool :). few years back i was interested in buying a mazda 626 GC, 5door variant that popped up for sale. on the pictures it looked really nice, all original with rare otional spoiler, but one of the original hubcaps was missing. i sort of collect hubcaps for over 20 years now (i wasnt even 10yo when i started lmao), and years years ago i had found one of these hubcaps that was missing, it still hangs on the garage wall to this day haha. the car was rather far away from me, so i sent a friend over there who lived closer to inspect it, but while the exterior looked really nice, the underbody was quite rusty, so i didnt go for it. too bad, even then ive joked that im interested in it only to complete the package with that single hubcap i have hahaha

[@Tiger351]

Wow definite blast from the past there! They getting hard to find in the wild even in Australia now, never knew they were sold in Japan as Fords rather than only as Mazdas. Cost, complexity and question marks over how fail safe the system was if components failed at speed were ultimate what killed the 4ws systems, too advanced and expensive to catch on even with the few manufacturers who built cars with it back then.

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Project coming along nicely

[@wasabicars]

Slowly but surely :)

[@teamempressive7730]

Man you so lucky man to get to enjoy filming All this nice and rare cars 👍

[@wasabicars]

Yeah, it is pretty awesome. Um, lots of hard work an sacrifice behind the camera though. Not much time spent with my sons over the last 10 years is a regret. It is what it is though.

[@teamempressive7730]

@@wasabicars I feel you man I know what is not being close to my kids and is also my biggest regret. Time will pass just hope they understand and some way we can make it up to them. Is also being 10 year that I part ways and still hurts the same since the day I left.

[@WILLSWHEELHAUS70]

Just a heads up on the "FORD" badge on the valve cover being screwed on. The same engine (or valve cover), at least in the USA, was used in Mazda vehicles. Small badges were cheaper to produce vs. valve covers with Ford or Mazda name molded on them. I have seen brand new vehicles, when that vehicle has a clone, (Chevrolet Silverado/ GMC Sierra) have different badges on the opposite doors. I Presume they just go down the production line and someone slaps badges on them.

[@wasabicars]

Yeah, literally "badge engineering". I get it. It makes economical sense

[@NathanElcoate]

That's amazing mate. I always like those out here. Smooth as V6 and adjustable suspension!

[@wasabicars]

Hi Nathan. Sorry, what's got a V6? Your car? I'm lost. Lol

[@NathanElcoate]

@@wasabicars Oh I meant the Australian version, didn't they come out with a V6? The Telstar TX5?

[@wasabicars]

@@NathanElcoate Sorry, zero clue. I do as minimal research as possible, and only on the car in front of me. The joy is in car spotting and making the videos (screw googling)

[@NathanElcoate]

@@wasabicars Yes haha. Love the Twin Cam in that spot of yours. Beautiful find.

[@EVOETR1]

4ws I know it well lol, skylines has their system and so did preludes. I once owned a 1987 Si prelude 4ws, and it acted totally different whereas as you start turning the steering wheel the rears would follow as you said and around 1/4 turn the rears would start turning in the opposite direction, definitely a freaky feeling at first and with time you knew its capabilities and adjusted.

[@wasabicars]

Damn. That does sound like it would take some getting used to.

[@EVOETR1]

Lol Your not wrong, roundabouts turning in as you do then the car, like you said kinda sidesteps right woo! Then you feel the rear pull away and around we go, gave me the shits at first lol. Enjoy your channel 👍🏼 and bringing a different aspect to Japan’s car scene thanks man and keep up the good work 😎

[@Pelleministeri]

Wow!!! I miss my GC Coupe GT soooo much! Nice one Daniel, wasn't expecting that one. Newer ones are cool as well, especially the coupes.

[@ilgwent8061]

Man I've always loved australian Ford e Holden

[@wasabicars]

Well, me too :)

[@jordydereus]

Honda prelude also had 4 ws wheel steering as an option.

[@wasabicars]

Yes! I've seen some parked examples. I'd love to see some manoeuvring

[@ShaiyanHossain]

they're actually bringing back 4ws in modern cars (because they're so large) like the new W223 S class or the 992 911 GT3 pretty impressive until you realize Honda and Mazda pioneered it in cheap cars 30 years back

[@wasabicars]

I didn't realise of course. A few people mentioned in the comments some modern (and high end) cars with it.

[@anthonyfrench3169]

This was a pretty cool video!! 🇺🇸 yanks never got this cool stuff. First time ever seeing this. Thanks bud for showing cool and random cars. I'm learning something new watching the vids. Great work bud

[@oldskool1979]

Only a real man can rock doily seat covers !

[@wasabicars]

Pretty much Chuck Norris and... just Chuck Norris

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

Bit of a odd car to find in Japan, on a side note 4WS has come back in new high end exotics. McLaren love it.

[@wasabicars]

But, it's a Japanese car. :O Yeah, a few people have listed of some modern and expensive cars with it. I'm not on top of those.

[@thecarwreckhunter]

I never realized Telstars were sold outside Australia/New Zealand, I think some were Australian made too

[@wasabicars]

I googled, and it seems the earlier generation was built in Adelaide, but not even from the start of the run. And, the generation of the feature car was fully imported. Well, now I know.

[@thecarwreckhunter]

​@@wasabicars ok that's good to know, I guess it makes more sense to see one in Japan if they were made there

[@f31roger]

Mazda Familia Neo... I love those small hatches!!!!

[@wasabicars]

Do you still see any around?? I can only recall seeing a handful of them when new. Saw none on visits to family in Australia over the last decade.

[@f31roger]

@@wasabicars they were limited in Canada, but Europe has them. That and the Lantis Hatchback are kinda dream Mazdas for me.

[@f31roger]

@@wasabicars we never got these in America.

[@kyteler]

I experienced 4WS in an MX6 and also I think it was a Prelude. Disconcerting is the correct term.

[@wasabicars]

Yeah?? Well, the MX6 would have shared a platform with the Telstar (well, assuming a similar year). Disconcerting! I see. I appreciate the feedback :)

[@adriangoede7433]

Excellent video. Definitely gonna check out your project. I’ve had so many cool older Japanese rides back in the day. My favorite was my 1980 Nissan 200SX... is that a Sylvia? Wish I still had it.

[@wasabicars]

Hi Adrian. Thank you. 200SX... This generation? kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3azpKmwlrJknLc

[@adriangoede7433]

@@wasabicars That’s it! However mine was the fastback in a baby blue color. I actually owned a black one too. The other one I miss was a 1979 Plymouth Arrow, a.k.a. a Mitsubishi Celeste & if you’ve got a link to share for that one... send it on along! I love your channel & thanks for all the hard work giving us these great vids!

[@wasabicars]

@@adriangoede7433 Ahh, Celeste is a unicorn.

[@Bull3tBikes]

Wow I thought I knew about ford , I’m aware of the Mazda collaboration but here’s one I never heard of

[@wasabicars]

Yeah, the Mazda GLC for a couple of generations, and the Capella/626, were super popular as Fords in Australia back in the day

[@muyox8228]

Being a JDM FE3 model I'd say that'd be closer to 145/150hp. They have a higher compression ratio and better cam set. There's even an extremely scarce 160hp variant in the top trim level of the final Capella Cargo. "FX Cruising" might be the the name of it from memory. The quoted power level is from the Kia license manufactured lower compression version found in the first generation Sportage. The Mazda wierdness knows no bounds

[@wasabicars]

Oh, oops. Yeah, I really suck at research. The joy is in the spotting of the cars. I really do appreciate the info though. Thank you so much.

[@01FozzyS]

Still no videos on Super Duck. :( We had the Telstar in the Philippines too when I lived there but there was no 4WS option nor do I remember it coming with a twincam.

[@wasabicars]

Lol. No, not yet. But, we are launching soon. Two videos have already been finished (not uploaded), and I'm halfway through the third one. We can't launch yet because we want to avoid long waits between videos in the future.

[@YoutubeAreJewz]

Wow 2 number as well!

[@wasabicars]

Yes, one owner. Just 28,000 kms

[@darkcorsair247]

nice video thank you as usual!!

[@wasabicars]

Thank you for watching :)

[@AndresSalazarAutos]

Basically a Mazda 626/Capella with Ford Badges

[@wasabicars]

Well, yeah. Australia got a bunch of Mazda/Ford shared-platform cars

[@KenanTurkiye]

2:56 thats so ugly cool lol Here in Turkey ('turkey'' because you english speakin people could not pronounce Turkiye lol ), we had similar handicraft thingies adorning headrests of cars some 50 years ago and inside the homes; line phones, below vases, over paintings on the wall, ouıt primary school uniforms even had things like that around the collar and wrists, well basically on everything, thank God that died out! lol

[@wasabicars]

2:56 The floor mats are ugly? Ahh! The seat covers. ;-)

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@wasabicars ;)

[@JDMism]

Pretty much every new Porsche and Ferrari has 4WS as an option. It’s definitely good

[@wasabicars]

Ah, there you go. Thank you.

[@JDMism]

@@wasabicars Lambos too

[@wasabicars]

Well, the three you mention are no-doubt awesomely engineered auto mobiles, but... I truly do love old Australian and Japanese sh*t boxes.

[@JDMism]

@@wasabicars Me too! That's why it's so awesome that those fancy pants car manufacturers took so long to copy them! I also think an RB26 at low revs sounds like a Holden 186

[@MohdAzylee]

Its amazing

[@wasabicars]

Thanks for watching :)

[@brokensmilephoto]

Always interested in the obscure! Although I gotta say, you sound worn out in this video! Get ya some rest.

[@wasabicars]

Thank you! Am tired, but I can rest... one day.

[@harryx6968]

Theres not that many telstars even in Australia now.

[@wasabicars]

Seriously?! My Lord, it seemed every second car was a Telstar in the late 80s/early 90s

[@oldskool1979]

Do cars rust in Australia ? Near the shorelines I reckon ?

[@dirtjumper512]

Agreed uncommon at wreckers & almost never seen on South Australian roads.. great vid 🤘

[@Gacha_mell703]

Ford telstar ❤

[@wasabicars]

Certainly is

[@cherryturbojames]

Ok. Feeling a bit thick . This is the 2nd time I can't find the link to the super duck channel

[@peteanderson2533]

kzbin.info/door/7f_hB0Y5BGGNZrBippTY5w There you go!

[@cherryturbojames]

@@peteanderson2533 nice one was it there somewhere?

[@peteanderson2533]

@@cherryturbojames yes, from a few episodes ago when he first showed the car.

[@44ham9]

Shes a real looker 😍

[@wasabicars]

She was. Status update: kzbin.infoUgw5jm1wueCGmLjpRMd4AaABCQ

[@nzrlmbn5952]

How can i buy spare part this car model

[@nzrlmbn5952]

I from malaysia

[@wasabicars]

Sorry, in this video I'm sure I said these are rare. This one is the only one I've ever seen in Japan in 20 years. The place to buy parts is... NOT JAPAN. They just don't exist. And, more bad news. After I uploaded this video, someone said the car was being sold for parts on Yahoo Auction Japan. I check, and it was. Again, THIS ONE is the ONLY ONE I've ever seen in Japan

[@bretth3224]

That has a much better engine compared to the Aussie ones and the Aussie ones didn’t get the 4 wheel steering

[@wasabicars]

Aussies got the 2.2? Some old photos show the badge, but I don't know the technical info on the two engines.

[@bretth3224]

Yeah it was a 2.2 single over head cam engine and was only fuel injected in the high end model and they were still pretty lazy, we did get a turbocharged version in Australia but even they didn’t make much power

[@jafmelara5297]

Such a clean car shame it got parted out

[@wasabicars]

Definitely. And likely not many parts will get sold due to very low domestic demand.

[@yeheehehe5209]

مازدا929 فورد 🖐

[@wasabicars]

مازد626 فورد :)

[@ktcworks]

Poor Familia GT-R…

[@wasabicars]

Sadly, a fate that's... familiar to many special cars here in Japan