Many Mazda 1500s were junked

0 0 April 23, 2026 Edit this post

by David Burrell

It’s another classic car that is often overlooked, the 1966 Mazda Luce, aka 1500 in Australia.

As I write, it was released 60 years ago in Japan and reached our shores in early 1967.

Wheels magazine gave it front cover treatment with the (then) obligatory “jump” image on its February edition.

For a first-time effort with a large car, Mazda did exceptionally well.

With styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was at Bertone, it looked very European.

And there’s a reason for that, if the legend is true.

Supposedly the shape was a rejected by Alfa Romeo for a proposed large sedan.

Well, more fool them.

Mazda was the better for it, that’s for sure.

Its shape is crisp, timeless almost.

The massive glass area is supported by ultra slim pillars.

The flat roof almost looks as if it is floating above the car.

Automotive journalist Bill Tuckey enthused about it in the December, 1966 edition of Wheels, saying “a short acquaintance with the Mazda 1500 told me that Toyo Kogyo is building just about the best cars in Japan at the moment.”

And value for money the Mazda was.

For almost the same price as a HR Holden Standard (the poverty pack model) the Deluxe 1500 gave you dual headlights, radio, carpet, heater, power aerial, clock, white wall tyres, plush seating and vanity mirrors.

It came standard with a front bench seat, so Mazda could claim it was a six-seater.

After an extensive road test, the May, 1967 issue of Wheels reported that: “without getting into too much detailed description, you can merely say that the entire appointments of the 1500 could be transferred to a car costing two or even three times its price and still take top honours."

They concluded that “this all adds up to probably the best finished, best equipped most habitable four cylinder car ever to hit a showroom floor . . . Toyo Kogyo has built one of the best cars.”

High praise indeed.

The downside for Aussie family car buyers was that the 1500 was a four cylinder and not all that powerful, hence Holden/Ford/Valiant still sold in the 100,000s each year.

But for a discerning cadre, the luxury/price ratio was compelling, and that’s why people bought it instead of its main rival, the Austin 1800.

There was a wagon model, too, but most 1500 sales were sedans.

Mazda also offered an sporty version, badged SS.

This featured the deluxe trim plus bucket seats, floor shift, sports steering wheel and some extra dials and a rev counter.

The engine was upgraded to 1.8 litres in 1969.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Mazda 1500/1800.

They fell from favour as Mazda moved on to newer designs.

Back in 1980s you could not give one way.

Many were junked, which is why they are so rare now.

David Burrell is the editor of retroautos