This one would have been a good entry for “Bread Box” week - the fourth generation Mazda Familia - or “323" to you and me. The BD Familia, first shown on 2 June 1980, was entirely new – it was Mazda’s first front-engine, front-wheel drive subcompact car, and was available as a hatchback and sedan. It was developed with input from Ford, which in 1979 had acquired a stake in the Japanese manufacturer, and had a twin called the Ford Laser (and Ford Meteor, for its four-door sedan model in Australia).
It was most commonly equipped with 1.3l and 1.5l four-cylinder engines, with power ranging from 68hp to 88hp. The most powerful version was marketed in Europe as the “323GT” - though there was something more powerful available to shoppers in some countries later on.
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 metric horsepower. Tomica made a 1/64 of that one.
But this model here is a 1/43 by Diapet, contemporary with the actual car. Interestingly, Diapet also made a version of the Ford Laser (essentially the same car with reverse rake front):
It probably wasn’t just made for the Australian market, as the Laser was sold in many markets in Africa, Asia and even in the Caribbean. And Diapet was also exporting widely at this stage, so it made commercial sense for them to make both versions of the car as well.
I couldn’t find any particular production figures, but this particular Familia was a strong comeback for Mazda in the Japanese market, even outselling the Toyota Corolla on several occasions. And both of this generation 323 and Laser can still be found as daily drivers around here, where the rust is not much of an issue.
