If you mention Mazda GLC to the average auto enthusiast, and they will likely think of the rear wheel drive GLC of the late 1970s. Mention GLC to the average Joe on the street, and you are likely to get a blank stare back, but both generations of the “Great Little Car” are massively important to Mazda. While the earlier car certainly helped save Mazda in the late 70′s with their rotary-heavy range, it wasn’t really a car that could continue into the 1980s. What they needed was a modern car in the Volkswagen Rabbit vein. The second generation GLC was that car.
The rear drive GLC (323, Familia in other markets) was introduced in 1977, but was far from a clean sheet design. While Europe was leading the way with front wheel drive two box design cars, the Japanese, with the exception mainly of Honda, were much more conservative. Almost all the important mechanical bits were carried over from the earlier 808/818/Grand Familia/Mizer. The general concept was small, OHC four cylinder engines, old-school steering boxes and live rear axles, but the rear suspension was updated from leaf springs to a four link setup very similar to the Rx-7. So while it got excellent mileage, think of it as a well-built Chevette. This blue one above is the only one I’ve seen for years.
Paul has covered the GLC once before, but I think it’s worth taking a second look at this mostly forgotten but important car. Mazda moved up into the 1980s with the second generation GLC (again other markets got the 323, Familia names). Well, mostly so, as the wagon version stayed with the older rwd-generation body, but the hatch and sedan was a new design. What Mazda cooked up with the new GLC was a front wheel drive car with MacPherson struts up front, but now with rack and pinion steering. Finally some sporty feeling steering to go with Mazda’s trademark sporty handling. Anyone who has driven a first generation Rx-7 knows it’s a fine car despite the rather industrial steering box.
The new GLC’s rear suspension was the usual for the class; irs with struts. Ford provided input into the design and it is hard to imagine they didn’t borrow an idea of two from the Fiesta introduced a few years earlier or the Escort’s move to front wheel drive at the same time. Ford marketed their own version of the car as the Laser/Meteor in other markets as well, which often outsold the GLC donor.
Interestingly the GLC/323/Familia was not Mazda’s first front drive car, but definitely the first volume front drive car. The Luce R130 of 1969 to 1972 takes the honors as the first front drive Mazda, but thanks to the compact rotary engine, it has a longitudinal engine layout. The transverse engine 323 really set the mold for most of the volume Mazdas to follow.
This GLC was fantastically successful, even outselling the Corolla in its home market for a time. The sedans were never as popular as they had a hefty price premium compared to the hatchbacks which were a very common sight. The North American engine was a 1.5L four with a 2-barrel carburetor that put out all of 68hp; sounds pathetic today but was pretty much the average for the class and time. These days they are a rare sight. Most are likely scrapped when a minor issue or rust arises. I’d say they are a victim of pleasant but unremarkable styling as well as being overshadowed by the more well-known Civic and Corolla.
Our example today is in Sport trim which I’m going to guess consists of the alloy wheels and some upgraded seat fabric. There certainly wasn’t any extra performance offered in North America. The front plate on it indicates long term ownership as they were phased out here in the late 80s.
It looked pretty solid with no rust apparent but perhaps a bit of faded paint. Pretty good for a relatively inexpensive when new sub-compact. Hopefully it can survive many more years.
One last shot of the GLC next to its spiritual decedent the Mazda 2.