Comments: 1-15, 16-23
During 31 years virtually everything was replaced, including the engine (after around 300,000Km without rebuilding). The remarkably reliable though worn original engine was replaced by a 'VC' engine from a Mazda 929 in 1996, which boosted performance almost to new car level.
Valve spring snapped on the VC motor in 1999.
Head gasket leaked and was replaced in 1999.
Absolutely gorgeous Bertone designed classic, rewarding to drive yet practical, extremely reliable and sturdy.
My family owned the 1500 for 23 years before I sold the car in 2000, which never let us down. I still miss this car!
Even at 31 the 1500 was still quick, and the original automatic gearbox was still working well.
Handling was equivalent to or better than some cars from the 1990s that I've driven, with a pleasant hint of over-steer when driven aggressively.
Extremely well made. After 31 years the interior was almost as new.
Hello.
I have had 2 Mazda 1500, 1971 and 72 mod.
My first one went down at 427 000 km.
My second one went down at over 1 million km!!!
My dad bought the 71 mod in 1973 or 1974.
I still remember he bought the car. I was 5 or 6 years old. My dad gave the car to me when I was 20 and something. There were no problem with the car, except rust.
I owned the car for 3 or 4 years. Then it had to be wrecked. I miss the car a lot. I grow up together with the car.
My second one the 72 mod, was bought in 2000!! and had then allready turned 1 million. I had to buy it, my feelings for the car were to strong. I had this one for 6 months, then some problems with the propeller shaft and transmisson shaft, made it impossible to drive. I had no places to repair it, so it got wrecked in 2001. WITH HARD, HARD FEELINGS.
Anyway these car has been very, very reliable. Just start and drive. The first owner of the 72 mod, had only changed oil and so on on the car.
If I find any Mazda 1500, I will certainly buy it.
Mazda 1500 is one of the finest cars Mazda ever has built.
The front looks like Alfa "Bertone coupe" Guilia gt from 65 to approx. 75. Maybe the nicest car Alfa ever has built.
I live in Norway, and english is my second language. I still hope this was understandable.
Ketil.
I found a '70 1500 wagon in a field. a bit of gas and off it went. great car. unique and really gets looks. I'm debating about whether or not to sell because its starting to need work. a motor transplant would be likely because I CANNOT find parts. i'd hate to take it from original though. character vehicle that's for sure. any comments or suggestions please drop me a line! smitchell@sd35.bc.ca!
My first car was a beautiful 1970 mazda 1500, deep red in colour, and in excellent condition!.I purchased it when I first got my drivers licence over 14 years ago. I bought it of an old friend of mine who was in his eighties at the time, and who owned it from new! So I was the second owner!!It only had about 50,000mls on it I think.
If only I knew what I had...
It ran very well for the years that I had it. The clutch was beginning to wear out, but it was over 28 years old at the time. Not too bad really.
Later, I also bought another 1500 as a wreck, which I intended to strip parts from to use on mine. Again, I didn't know what I had! This other vehicle was a complete 1500 ss. It had everything still on it, including factory fog lamps, badging, wooden steering wheel etc.
I ended up selling both for some stupid low price...and I REGRET this so much today!
So I guess mine is a sob story of sorts. I would love to find another 1500, preferably an ss, which I would now do up and restore back to original condition. These cars had real character and style, which remains good looking to this day.
If anyone is out there and thinking of just getting rid of what may seem to be a tired old car,. think twice. I loved my old 1500!
Hello All.
I just got my hands on a Mazda Bertone 1500, my brothers friend ended spotting it out, let him know and passed on the word to me and for a long time I've had a vision for this baby!!
There is one Gun Metal grey one in Japan and that is what started my love for the Bertone 1500. Can anyone find this site? I've deleted it accidently off my favarites list.
My brother has got a vision of slapping a 302 V8 Windsor in it, as he rebuilds cars and is currently doing 4 seperate projects. (Were all Ford as you can see below)
One being 1979 XJS Jaguar
2nd Ford Landau Coupe.
3rd 1979 LTD (four door)
and nearly finished the XP Fairmont sedan.
So we've alway been all ford, but I think it might be hell trying to get a 302 in there as I've heard Bessim's BUZZZN 1500, went through a bit before they go it right and that was a 13B rotary.
What other engines have you guys heard of going in a bertone?
Please advise.
I have a Mazda 1500 model 1969. I am 31 yrs old and well since my eyes opened in this world I have seen this car. My dad bought it in 1969 and its been with us since 1969. I love this car and its always a reliable one. Has never let me down in my 31 yrs and so I never wanna get rid of it. Lately its catching a lil rust so I plan to rebuild it. Would love to soop it up like BUZZIN. rotary engine and stuff. Any comments or help regarding this please email me.
Fqadri@hotmail.com.
Thanks
FAisal.
I bought a '70 1500 here in Australia in March '05. Previous owner had done a v nice new red paint job on it - it is a real head turner now! other than that it is orig condition and goes really nicely. It's a manual and since buying it I have only spent AUS$100 on it getting some electrics rewired and a v minor engine oil leak fixed.
I don't know much about them and am trying to find a workshop manual for one. Does anyone have one they'd be willing to part with?
Louise.
Hello 1500 fans!
I am the beaming proud owner of a 1698 Mazda 1500 SS and 1968 1500 Deluxe. I am over the moon with the styling, reliability, build quality and refinement of these cars and will continue to drive my SS for many years to come!
In noticing some of your comments above, the best place to find parts nowdays is on ebay - it sounds nuts, but everything from taillight lenses to owners manuals and engine parts can be found from time to time. The best sources of parts are in Australia, because a fair few 1500s were sent here and actually last longer because of our climate.
I am also regrettably selling my 1968 Red 1500 Deluxe sedan due to space constraints - it has been converted to floorshift and had a reconditioned NA series motor fitted.
If anyone is interested or would like some more info on 1500s or if you are in South Australia and would like to catch up, my email is davodoug@hotmail.com.
Hi. Just bought a 68 Mazda 1500 sua for Aus $300 :) I really only bought it because they are fairly "rare". I needed to replace nearly all the light bulbs cause they where blown. It has shorts on the spark plug leads sometimes, so I am in the process of buying a new distributor cap. But hope to get it registered soon. The steering is a little loose so I need to get the ball joints replaced.
The motor has been rebuilt, new clutch and paint. Everything else is original and works perfect. What a bargain!
PS. I am waiting for my workshop manual to turn up. I bought it on EBay.. There is more there if others need them.
Hi Everyone,
I bought a Mazda 1500SS in good condition in 1996 For Aus $1,800. It had 101,975 miles. I sold it in 2003 for Aus $7,500. It was a torrid love affair which in the end became too much. I do miss her and know where she resides. Who knows, I could buy her back some day!
Dislikes - Was a manual and all ratios were short. Combined with a narrow torque band (max torque at 3,000rpm), there was no use reving beyond 3,500rpm. Like driving a diesel. Cruising speed was thus limited to < 90 kilometres. Stunk of petrol after filling the tank. This was also an issue with the 1800 model. The fuel pump went (leaking) on a stinking hot day and had to get a tow. The brakes failed with no prior warning. Had to do a $3,000 engine rebuild which markedly increased the torque in 4th gear, but only marginally in the first 3 ratios. Something also wrong with the ignition after the rebuild. At times nothing would happen on turning the key.
Likes - Nothing looked like this car. Gorgeous appearance. Low waist line and wraparound front and rear screens combined with slim pillars all round created 1st class visibility, particularly rearward. Good ride. Lovely interior. Very loud horn. Cross over wipers. High levels of equipment (wood rim steering wheel, bucket seats which reclined, electric aeriel, glove box light and was lockable, twin interior courtesy lights, rear seat armrest). I do miss her.
I have a 1800 red one. It is now at the paint shop getting painted as it's faded. Absolutely original with only 60,000 miles, and still has the plastic on the doors. No rust and is still like new. All the chrome is like new. No dents. Even has a new smell on the inside.
This is a family car with me being the 4th owner. Started as my uncles, grandmas, dads then mine. Any one interested as this is the only one I've ever seen. I would like to here from someone out there. It is still on its second set of tyres
My name is David Clearwater. Email aa-roof@xtra.co.nz
I have owned a Mazda 1500 since 1970.My first car was a white 68 1500 deluxe column shift with burgundy interior. I bought it with 44thousand miles on the clock and did 100,000 miles in it without a problem. since then I have had at least nine other cars and as they wore out I put them in the shed. I have since wrecked all except four. A 69 1500ss a 69 1500 deluxe column manual, a 69 1500 deluxe automatic and a 70 1800 deluxe floor shift manual. I still drive them all some on full registration and others on concessional club rego. They get close to 40 m.p.g. run on unleaded and I can still get most mechanical parts, but luckily I have a shed full of body parts. Geoff Perth Australia.
Hi to all of you mazda 1500 fans!
I am from greece, 36 years old
my dad owned a blue mazda 1500 from 1970 till 1993. the whole family mom sister and I learned driving in this great car! actually I was born raised and grew up in this car and I really miss it so much
i wish we 'd never gave away this car. when my father gave away the mazda he bought a new nissan sunny.
At that time I was 23 and quite happy because we had a new car and never thought I would miss our mazda that much. but as years passed I realized that the mazda 1500 was a unique car with its own special personality.
Of course no need to mention anything about its excellent reliability!
My great experience and memories with this car made me love mazda and now I am a happy owner of a mazda 6!!
My father owns a 1500SS from 1970. It was the car I grew up with and subsequently learned to drive in. It had an engine replaced after the original gave out after the odometer went a full round and some more. Sadly it is sitting in a mechanics yard awaiting funds to be restored and is probably rusting its sides out. We're still planning to someday have her fully restored and retake her rightful place at home. Does anyone know if Mazda would be up to doing a sponsor on the restoration. I have no qualms of having her painted in Mazda livery for advertisement purposes and even letting her go on tour for such purposes.
From Cyprus
I am the owner of 1969 Mazda 1500 deluxe. It still runs like a new car after 38 years. I had to change the engine a few years back, but the car looks like new inside and out. I still see a few examples of this car on the streets of my island, and there are a couple of specialist mechanics in Nicosia (Cyprus) which fix them and also have quite a few spare parts.
I own a mazda 1500 ss I'm wanting to find out the true value today and what the value would be in 10years in 2017. kind regards mazaholic...