While the second-generation Mazda Familia (also known as the Mazda 1200 and 1300) was a common sight on the roads in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the 1965 Mazda 1000 Coupe, from the first-generation of the Familia series, remains relatively unknown to all but the most devoted of Mazda enthusiasts.
Powered by a newly designed longitudinally mounted overhead camshaft 1,000 cc four-cylinder engine, the compact 1000 Coupe weighed just 1,742 lbs and put out 68 hp at 6,500 rpm and had a top speed of 90 mph.
And the sporting theme didn’t stop there. Available in either Tropical Red or Pyrenean White, this sleek coupe boasted a four-speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive, wishbone ball joint suspension, and front disc brakes. The sporty theme continued with the exterior design—note the chrome trim, the exposed trunk-lid hinges, and the gas cap—and into the cabin, which featured a wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel, and beautifully styled instrument binnacle with central tachometer.
One of the world’s rarest Mazdas—just 8,931 were built from 1965 to 1968—it nevertheless paved the way for a series of high-performance models, including the Luce and Luce SS, from 1966 and 1967 respectively, and the era-defining 1967 Cosmo Sport.
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
- Passport Mazda’s Guide to Keeping Your Vehicle in Prime Condition
- Embrace the Convenience: A Guide to Utilizing Remote Start in Your Mazda
- Mastering Voice Commands in Your Mazda – Embrace the Power of Hands-Free Control!
- Why Choose Mazda Certified Pre-Owned from Passport Mazda
- Routine Maintenance from Passport Mazda Keeps Your Vehicle Performing at Its Best