The Mazda 800 is the export name of the first-generation Familia, Mazda’s first proper small family car. Introduced in Japan in October 1963, it was sold in other markets as the 800 and made until 1968, when the larger Mazda 1000 took over.
Mazda 800 at a glance
| Built | 1963–1968 |
|---|---|
| Names | Familia in Japan, Mazda 800 for export |
| Styling | Giorgetto Giugiaro at Carrozzeria Bertone |
| Engine | 782 cc SA four-cylinder, all-aluminium |
| Power | 42 bhp (31 kW) at 6,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 115 km/h |
| Bodies | two- and four-door saloon, three-door estate, van, pickup |
| Drivetrain | front engine, rear-wheel drive, four-speed manual |
| Built | around 400,000 first-generation Familias, 130,473 of them saloons and coupés |
| Exported | around 10,000, mainly to Australia and Oceania |
The 800 is the export name of the first Familia; the later 1000/1200/1300 generation has its own page.
History of the Mazda 800
Mazda’s plan in the early 1960s was to grow with the Japanese economy, starting with the R360 kei car in 1960 and then moving into larger cars. A larger Mazda 700 prototype was shown at the 1961 Tokyo Motor Show and formed the basis of the Familia. The first production Familia appeared in October 1963, styled by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro while at Carrozzeria Bertone, and was at first only a commercial two-door van; a plusher wagon followed in April 1964, a four-door saloon in October and a two-door saloon in November. The flat-deck shape of the saloons was reportedly inspired by the Chevrolet Corvair, and private cars got foglights in the grille and more chrome.
The engine was a 782 cc all-aluminium four, known as the white engine, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox. The 800 was sold as a two- and four-door saloon and a three-door estate, and it reached 115 km/h. In November 1964 a pickup joined the range and a box van followed in 1965. A Familia 1000 coupé with a 985 cc overhead-cam engine arrived in November 1965, and in 1967 a 1.0-litre overhead-valve version of the two-door saloon with 58 bhp was added.
The 800 was introduced to Japan in time for the 1964 Summer Olympics, and the first-generation Familia was sold in other markets as the 800. Around 400,000 of the first Familias were built, 130,473 of them saloons and coupés, while about 10,000 were exported, mainly to Australia and Oceania. The larger, restyled Mazda 1000 replaced it in 1967.
Design and features
- Giugiaro styling: one of the first Japanese cars designed by the young Giorgetto Giugiaro.
- All-aluminium engine: the 782 cc SA unit was marketed as the white engine.
- Many bodies: saloon, estate, coupé, van and pickup from one small platform.
- Export name: sold abroad as the Mazda 800 while Japan knew it as the Familia.
Mazda 800 versions
- Familia van (1963): the first body, a commercial two-door.
- Familia 800 saloon (1964): four- and two-door versions.
- Familia 1000 coupé (1965): 985 cc overhead-cam engine, 68 bhp, 145 km/h.
- Mazda 800 export: the same car sold outside Japan.
The 800 was replaced by the Mazda 1000, and the Familia line later became the Mazda 323. More Mazdas are in the Mazda collection.
Sources
- Mazda Familia, English Wikipedia: first generation, bodies, production totals
- Mazda 800, German Wikipedia: engine output, top speed, coupé and 1.0-litre versions
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