A nicely preserved example of this rarely seen Mazda saloon car
Imported by the current owner from Sweden in 2016
Presenting in a highly original and well-maintained condition
The Appeal
The Mazda 929 was a model name used only in export markets for a large, by Japanese standards, saloon which was called the Mazda Luce in domestic markets. The car was produced in Coupe, Station Wagon and Sedan, as seen here, variants. For the period between 1973 and 1991, the 929 represented Mazda’s largest saloon offering.
This example was personally imported by the current owner in 2016 and has been owned, used and enjoyed by him ever-since. It is presented it a highly original, left-hand drive configuration having been imported from Sweden. Thanks to diligent ownership and maintenance, this 929 is ready to use and enjoy by its next owner.
The History and Paperwork
This unusual Mazda was manufactured in 1978 in Hiroshima in Japan
The car is understood to have been exported to the Swedish market
Little more is known of its early life
In 2016 the current owner personally imported the 929 to the UK
Since then, the owner has been its only keeper
The car has been serviced annually in its current ownership
Other key maintenance tasks have also been undertaken
The car comes with its current V5 in the name of the owner
The car is registered as a Historic Vehicle
As such it is MOT and VED exempt in the UK
An original 929 owner’s manual is included
A couple of invoices are on hand detailing maintenance work undertaken
The Interior
This 929 features a highly original interior in a good overall condition
It is finished in various hues of blue with some black accents
The front seats are covered in a blue velour fabric
Vinyl covered headrests are fitted for comfort and safety
The seats appear well padded, commodious and in a good original condition
The rear cabin is fitted with a bench sculpted into two separate seats
The carpets front and back are finished in a darker blue hue
These appear original and in good condition but may further benefit from a deep clean
The carpets extend into the door cards with the remainder of them being vinyl covered
The front door cards exhibit the odd minor split and tear to the vinyl
The dashboard is trimmed in blue vinyl, predominantly
The instrument cluster consists of a large white on black speedometer and clock
There are three other supplemental gauges monitoring other key metrics
Ahead of the gauges sits the original, four-spoke steering wheel
A period correct push button radio is fitted
The boot is generously sized and sensibly shaped
It is devoid of a mat currently which allows full sight of the boot floor
This underlines how, apparently, rust free the underside of this car seems
No spare wheel is pictured but a jack and warning triangle are noted
The Exterior
The exterior presentation of the car appears very good for its age
The silver paintwork is thought to be mostly original
It looks to be deep and evenly applied and exudes a good shine
Bodywork appears equally solid and free from obvious dents and dings
The panel gaps appear admirably tight and symmetrical
It is worth noting that the front bumper has been removed to promote a sporty look
This has necessitated the side lights / indicators being mounted on temporary fixings
These have been roughly painted and reveal a body gap which is normally hidden
The front bumper has been mislaid and, hence, is not included in the sale
The 929 design features some endearing and unusual details
This includes a pronounced waistline that terminates on the rear doors
This is then almost met by a separate one emanating from the rear
The rear light treatment is also quite distinctive making this an interesting car to study
The car sits on 13-inch painted steel wheels
These are almost completely covered by extruded chrome wheel covers
It is noted that one cover is in a different design from the other three
The Mechanics
This 929 is fitted with a 1,769cc in-line four-cylinder petrol engine
This originally produced around 93 bhp and 101 Ib-ft of torque
Power is fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox
Paperwork suggests a new clutch and battery have been recently fitted
There is also record of a head skim and tensioner replacement from 2017
The under-bonnet presentation remains generally good
The underside of the car appears very clean and straight for its age
The rear axle, shock absorbers and leaf springs look very well preserved
Sections of the exhaust, also, appear quite new
Some improvisation has been applied to the mounting of the back box it seems
Overall, the under-body condition looks very sound for a car of this age
The current owner attests to the car running very well indeed
He feels it to be reliable and reports no known mechanical faults
Summary
Japanese saloon cars of this era attract a knowledgeable and enthusiastic following. A Mazda 929 of this period is a very rare sight in the UK and is likely to be very well received in various JDM clubs and meets across the country. Its rarity is bound to attract glances and initiate conversations wherever it goes.
This appears to be a very well-preserved example of an already rare car. The bodily condition seems to be very sound which, likely, bodes well for the future longevity of the car. It is in a highly original condition and is reported to run well and be eminently useable. There are just a handful of small jobs that could be attended to at the new owner’s leisure to improve this example further still. This presents the opportunity to put your own stamp on the car and go on to enjoy the rarity value of this Mazda saloon for many years to come.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1978 Mazda 929 1.8L LHD (LA2 Series II)
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