Mazda 1500
| Mazda | |
|---|---|
 Mazda 1500 sedan (1966–1972)
|
|
| 1500/1800 | |
| Sales designation: | 1500/1800 |
| Production period: | 1966-1973 |
| Class : | Middle class |
| Body versions : | Limousine , station wagon |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 1.5–1.8 liters (57–76 kW) |
| Length: | 4370 mm |
| Width: | 1630 mm |
| Height: | 1410-1430 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2500 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1030 kg |
| successor | 929 |
The Mazda 1500 was a mid- size car that Mazda manufactured in Japan from 1966 to 1972. In 1968 he was given the Mazda 1800 with a larger engine, which was built until 1973. Both vehicles were also called Mazda Luce . There were also versions with a rotary engine under the name Mazda R130 . None of these models were offered in Germany.
Mazda has worked with Bertone since 1962 . At the end of 1965, this collaboration resulted in a car that looked more like a BMW of the new class than the previous Mazda models. The Luce 1500 , as it was called in Japan, went into production with a slightly higher roof line than the concept vehicle . The car had a four-cylinder OHC -Reihenmotor with 1490 cc capacity and a power of 78 hp (57 kW) at 5500 min -1 installed forward. The rear wheels were driven via a manual four-speed gearbox. The four-door sedan was only offered in Japan and sold slowly.
With a wheelbase of 2500 mm, the vehicles were 4370 mm long, 1630 mm and 1410 mm (sedan) and 1430 mm (station wagon) high. The curb weight was given as 1030 kg.
In 1968 the Luce 1800 was added to the 1500. Its engine had a displacement of 1796 cc and made 104 bhp (76 kW). In addition to the 4-door sedan, which was identical in construction to the 1500, a 5-door station wagon was also offered from 1970. From 1970 these cars were also offered in Europe (but not in Germany) and the USA. The engine for the USA had only 98 bhp (73 kW) and was only available with a three-stage automatic. The driving performance was so modest that the car was voted the “most boring car of the year” by Road & Track magazine. Sales were correspondingly sluggish. From 1970 until the end of imports in 1972 only 2178 sedans and 2576 station wagons were sold. Sales were better in Europe and Japan, and a total of 39,401 were made by the time the model was discontinued in 1973.
In autumn 1973 the new 929 - still called Luce in Japan and the USA - replaced the 1800.
