1975 Mazda 1300 808 – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 27.04.2020

Rare survivor: Australian-delivered, conventional inline-four, manual

Known in Australia as the 808; and in Europe as the 818, and the Grand Familia in its native homeland of Japan, Mazda’s 70s line of compact sedans, coupes and wagons were intended to rival other Japanese compacts such as Toyota’s Corolla, Nissan’s Cherry and Mitsubishi’s Lancer.

The body styles actually birthed two different models, with the Grand Familia adopting conventionally powered four-cylinders while the similar looking Savanna took on the cult rotary engine, and later landed here as the RX-3.

Early Mazda rotaries have well and truly reached cult status, trading for huge sums of money after decades of being modified or simply rusting away.

This 808 comes not with the much-loved wankel engine, but instead a conventionally-powered 1.3lt inline-four backed by a four-speed manual transmission.

Arguably, this is even rarer than an equivalent rotary RX-3 – and about half the market value.

It’s an Australian-delivered example that is described as being totally original, and preserved exactly as it came off the ship.

It’s finished in Marg White over Brown trim and is supported by its original log books, sales brochure, paperwork and day-one keys.

The car is near faultless in photos, said to be rust free and turn-key ready.

It’s based in New South Wales, and is listed for $45,000.

Check out the full listing here!

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