1965
| Also called | Luce 1500/1800/R130 Mazda 1500 Mazda 1800 |
|---|---|
| Production | 1966–1972 (1500) 1968–1973 (1800) 1969–1972 (R130) R130: <1,000 built |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | 1.5 L UB I4 (1500) 1.8 L VB I4 (1800) 1.3 L 13A (R130) Wankel engine |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98 in) sedan |
| Length | 4,370 mm (172 in) sedan |
| Width | 1,630 mm (64 in) sedan |
| Height | 1,430 mm (56 in) sedan |
| Curb weight | 1,070 kg (2,359 lb) sedan |
Following an agreement signed with Bertone in April 1962, the 1965 Luce 1500 show car was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italy. It was low and sharp, looking more like a contemporary BMW Bavaria than any of its smaller Mazda brothers.
The production version, launched in August 1966, had a higher roofline but retained the BMW look. It was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive 4-door sedan, and featured a square 1.5 L (1490 cc) 1500 SOHC engine, producing 78 hp (58,1 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 84.5 lb·ft (114.6 N·m). It sold poorly at ¥ 695,000 (US$1,930). The 1500ss version with twin carburettors was later introduced, producing 86 hp (64,1 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 86.9 lb·ft (117.8 N·m) at 5,500 rpm. A stroked 1.8 L (1,796 cc) 1800 engine was added for 1968. This new model, the Luce 1800, produced 104 hp (74,5 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 112 lb ft at 2,500 rpm. An estate (station wagon) was also added. It was introduced two years before the Toyota Corona Mark II and the Nissan Laurel in Japan.
The Luce Mark I was sold in Australia under the names "Mazda 1500" and "Mazda 1800".
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