Throwback Thursday: Mazda 323 GTX

Welcome to throwback Thursday, where we look back at classic cars from days gone by and their impact on automotive history. This week’s throwback: Mazda’s marvelous 323 GTX.

The 1980s and 90s were halcyon days for Japanese automakers. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Subaru were all developing sports coupes and hot compacts with new and flashy tech like active aero, four-wheel steering, and twin turbo engines.

Mazda was no exception, and though most would argue their greatest hit of the era is either the MX-5 Miata or third-generation RX-7, there was a little gem Mazda built that still has a cult following today: the 323 GTX.

First appearing in Japan for 1985, the GTX was a rally-ready version of Mazda’s compact 323. Mazda blessed the GTX with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four rated at 138 hp and 137 lb-ft. Those numbers may not sound impressive today, but the diminutive 323 was a featherweight at a little over 2500 lbs. The GTX was also bestowed with a full-time four-wheel drive system featuring a locking center differential and a five-speed manual gearbox.

The GTX enjoyed success in FIA’s Group A category during the 80s. The rally-prepared versions were significantly more powerful than the road-going GTXs with roughly 250 horsepower. The GTX’s success on the rally stage led to the launch of a special homologation version, the GT-Ae. Available only in Japan, the GT-Ae appeared in 1988 and featured a 10 hp boost in power and a viscous limited-slip rear differential.

1988 was also the year that the GTX appeared stateside as Mazda’s first North American offering of a four-wheel drive car. The U.S. and Canadian versions of the GTX featured the same turbocharged 1.6-liter I4 and four-wheel drive system. Just over 1300 GTXs were imported to North America from 1988 to 1989, making them a very rare find today.

Though sales of Mazda’s pocket rally-rocket ceased in North America after 1989, the model was carried over to the next generation of the 323 in Japan. The new car received the more powerful 1.8-liter turbo engine rated at 185 hp and came standard with a pair of viscous limited-slip differentials.

Like the previous generation, a homologation version was added later in production. Dubbed the GTR, it received unique front and rear bumpers, hood vents, fender flares, and an upgraded suspension. Additionally, the front and rear subframes were reinforced and the GTR featured five-lug hubs with larger brakes.

The GTR’s engine was also upgraded with a stronger crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons. Other improvements included upsized piston oil squirters, an oil cooler, sodium filled valves, a baffled intake manifold, larger injectors, a front-mounted intercooler, and a larger turbo. These changes boosted the GTR’s power output over the GTX by 25 hp for a total of 207.

Mazda also produced a special GT-Ae version of this generation. The GT-Ae’s engine was unchanged but was mated to a close ratio gearbox. The GT-Ae was also lighter by 66 lbs. thanks to the deletion of the antilock brakes, air conditioning, power mirrors, windows, and locks, and the GTX’s sunroof. Only 300 examples of the GT-Ae were produced.

Though the car was only sold for a few years in the U.S., the GTX remains a cult favorite among rally fans and has continued to be a popular rally platform 30 years after it went out of production. With the later GTX and GTR versions now legal for U.S. import, its likely that another wave of these cars will soon be popping in North America.