Reply With Quote
160439927408
Mazda 121 shades, 1988 model manual, opposite of MX5
Don't forget to check my other auctions, I have something for everybody!
A very successful real estate agent once told me that lowering the reserve price of something will encourage bidding. Fortunately I didn't listen to him.
Anyway, let me get this clear: The car is actually good despite its colour. It doesn't blow smoke, everything works and it runs very well. What more could you ask for at that price? An iPhone I guess. Despite not taking the real estate agent's advice, I have lowered the starting price of this car by a full one hundred dollars and one cent. Even thrown in a full tank of fuel which should last you about nine years if you never drive the car.
If you thought muscle cars were a thing of the past, think again. This Mazda is probably one of Japan's most formidable street machines. In fact, Subaru were lucky that these little boxes were produced before the first WRX, because it gave Subaru something to strive for.
On first glance you may just think that this is just another Japanese girly car, aimed at practicality and economy. You're right. But what Mazda put into these was a level of technology matched only by Casio calculators from the 1970s.
Not only does this car look sporty and powerful, it also has aerodynamics equivalent to a garden shed, enabling it to reach speeds well beyond 100,000 metres per hour. In fact, with a tail wind these things can go even faster, but a cross wind presents problems, especially after the car ends up on its roof.
Aside from the factory styled aerodynamics, this car is fitted with aftermarket speed dimples, known as 'dents'. Like a golf ball's dimples, the dents allow the 121 to travel even further when hit by a 9 iron.
One of the major problems you will have owning this car is that everyone wants to race you from the traffic lights. Even trucks. I know this because everyone takes off really quickly and when I catch up to them at the next set of lights, they pretend they weren't trying. In this 121, you have to be really careful with the throttle control as too much acceleration is likely to cause wheelspin, whereas anything below 3,000 RPM is likely to cause stalling. Driving in the wet is a real problem as far as traction goes, especially on wet grass or oiled steel plates. This truly is a driver's car (because no passengers are likely to get in it).
Although it appears massive, the exhaust is the original 3cm job. Mazda had to go up a size from the drinking straw used on the Mazda 1000s because of the radical cam timing used in the 121. When they put together the first B13 motor it was a twin cam job, but it was so powerful that the exhaust cam ended up getting blown out the exhaust and the inlet cam often ran away in fear of the pistons. So they stayed with a single cam version and threw out 8 valves in order to lighten the car up even further. The motor produces almost as much power as four high quality split system air conditioners, which when coupled to the advanced five speed transmission and front wheel drive provides enough power to charge a mobile phone.
Mazda tried desperately to dress down the 121, including the fitment of 13” wheels just to take away that guard filling look of the bigger 14” rims. They didn't compromise on width though, this car has tyres as wide as a shopping trolley with a rubber compound to match. Without such huge road hugging bags, this car would not be able to handle the race tuned suspension that it is fitted with, in fact it may even have a small sway bar somewhere. Mazda also kept the bumper bars a different colour to the car, because with such curvy styling some may not have been able to tell where the car started and ended. Ford's Australian Taurus from the mid 90's is a classic example of a car which has no front and no back. The seats in that car can swivel 360° so that it can be driven in either direction. Mazda didn't want the same problem with the 121, so they put a slight angle in the roof of the car where it meets the front windscreen.
To give you some idea of the way this car performs, let me relate a recent road incident I was involved in:
I was traveling along the freeway minding my own business, when suddenly a Mercedes ML63 AMG came up beside me and the middle aged driver nodded at me with his leather jacket and Armani sunnies on. It was on. I was in third gear getting ready for a steep climb up the hill so I thought I'd give the big AMG a head start. Off we went. I planted my foot to the floor and the scenery started to blast past me (admittedly it was painted on the side of a garden supplies pantech). I think I saw the same AMG about an hour later, pulled over outside a cafe with the driver reading the Financial Review and sipping on a soy latte. I blew the horn and accelerated in a cloud of tyre smoke, which may have been attributed to the container of baby powder I had run over.
That was the closest race I've had in the 121, in fact for a few seconds, I could almost read the rear number plate of the AMG. I learned from that incident that losers should never give winners a head start, so now I just drive off before lights even turn green. Sure, I've caused a few taxis to peel their retreads off trying to avoid me, but the satisfaction of winning the race to the other side of the intersection is worth it.
This 121 isn't just built for speed. It is also built for practicality. The rear seats fold down providing enough room for a stampede of rats to be carried in comfort. You could even fit a fridge in if you could buy one small enough. I've even picked up a few models in the 121, including a ship in a bottle. It doesn't have a towbar purely because scientists haven't come up with a material strong enough to withstand the forces encountered when the clutch is dropped. The car is so powerful that they even had to leave out back doors because they were afraid the car would pull apart at the seams like my last pair of trackie dacks.
Parking is simple in this car. In fact, it is so light that it can be parked on top of a Subaru Liberty if the Subaru is fitted with Rhino racks. Some people even take their 121 into the shopping centre with them and save on putting $2 into an Aldi trolley. Once when I went to Newtown for dinner, there were so few parking spots that I put the 121 on a Marickville bus for only $1.20 and picked it up later.
It has a turbo button which can be handy sometimes, especially when the guy next to you on the Yamaha R1 wants to drag you. It has to be used with caution because depending on your body weight, you could brake the backrest of the seat under acceleration. I liken it to nitrous oxide, but without the reality. It works by having the air conditioning on most of the time, but when you need an added burst of power, just turn it off and away you go. I reckon you pull an extra half a kilowatt out of the beast with the turbo boost feature.
You may also notice that this model is the 'Shades' series. The Shades was Mazda's codename for the Small Hatch And Definitely Enough Speed project, where they attempted to set a world record by mass producing the worlds best selling flat pack car. Ikea would have taken on the Shades project, but the engineers could not make fasteners strong enough to keep all the panels together, so they abandoned that aspect of the project and Mazda produced the 121 from recycled CRT computer monitors instead, maintaining the classic lines.
If you're after that discreet look where nobody notices you, this isn't the car for you. It's like riding a Ducati 998 up to a motocross track when you park this thing somewhere. People will stare, some will even want to touch it, some may be jealous. But like fame, after a while you get used to it (apparently). The best thing I've found for avoiding attention when driving this beast around, is to park next to a car with similar formidable characteristics, like a Daihatsu Charade.
For those interested in the minor details, the car is registered in NSW until next March, almost a year away. For a cat, that would be like having almost seven years worth of rego.
It doesn't have power steering because as you can see from the colour, it was built for only the toughest of drivers.
It is not fuel injected, but still manages to run on the smell of an oily rag; provided the oily rag is left in the fuel tank and covered in 20L of unleaded petrol.
Everything works as it should, even the brakes slow you down.
Mechanically it is fine, there is no rust and the tyres are near new.
With GT Falcons and HK Monaros going for many of thousands of dollars, this may just be your chance to buy on of Japan's true muscle cars before there are less than 4.3 million of them left.Item number: 160439927408
Questions from other members : Mazda 121 shades, 1988 model manual, opposite of MX5.
Question & Answer
Q: Dear Sir I'm a recent arrival to this beautiful country of yours. I came over in a watercraft of less luxury and speed of your 121, bout the same size though. Will you be paying capital gains tax on the profit you are making on this car?, it will pay for my hotel bill. Its actually not a hotel, its a government funded country club, you might have heard of it 'le clube villawooda'. I actually need it to outrun the meathead gorilla personal assistants assigned to me by the club. They are killing me with there love and affection. Will you be able to personally deliver the car and instruct me how to use it, as i think being jap the controls are different to my Jerusalem Donkey named 'Fatima' i had back home. Infact if you are able to prove it can outrun those meatheads with me as a passenger i will give you a bonus 10K. If I am not the winning bidder, may the winners mother be infested by the fleas of a thousand camels. Alla Akbar! Love Moustafa 03-Jun-10
A: I have to warn you that I know a lot about camel toes and trust me, they are better on the sand than a Mazda 121, that's why there are so many of them at the beaches. I can't assist you by driving you away from you 'accommodation', but I do know of a man who races helicopters for a living and he may be able to help for the price of a yellow pencil case. I hope you are the winning bidder so that I can share with you some of your fine food. Thanks you.
Q: I've heard from a trusted source that it's not uncommon for women to throw their panties at these vehicles when stopped at traffic lights. Can you confirm this as fact? 03-Jun-10
A: I can confirm that, but panties aren't the only things that have been thrown at it. I was once at a set of lights and someone threw a giraffe at it. I threw a wobbly at them.
Q: I love it. Description, colour and humour to go with it. I'm 6'8" like High Tower in Police Academy but I'm not black. Can you take out the front seat so I can test drive your precious retro Japanese beast? 02-Jun-10
A: No need to take out the front seat, I'll remove the windscreen so that you can stand up and drive like Gilligan did before the Minnow got lost!
Q: Does it float? 02-Jun-10
A: Yes, but you have to put it in a condom first.
Q: Did you ever let this butch brute of a car get lucky with another one? That other one being on vacation from England. I think you must have - you naughty person! Because I have just seen its offspring right here in Halifax UK! Do you know if fly spray will kill it so this one cant breed anymore ? You help would be greatly appreciated as we are in mortal danger of being infected with CCD. (crap car disease) Great ad mate if it were here I'd buy it lol! Giles. 02-Jun-10
A: Thanks Giles. Just try to lure the car close to a venus fly trap if you have one nearby to save on fly spray (wait, they need sunlight to grow, so probably not likely in Halifax). Alternatively you could have it desexed if you take it to a vet and tell them that it's a pink boxer, as long as you pay the bill they won't care. Stay warm and enjoy your two weeks of summer!
Q: You have made my day... I have the exact same car - not in as perfect condition, but still just as incredibly awesome. 02-Jun-10
A: And I thought mine was one of a kind. Oh well, we'll have to share the fame then!
Q: If I fold up my 185cm tall brother, will he fit in this car? Or should he remove the front seat and drive from the back seat instead? 02-Jun-10
A: The better option would be to get a tow bar fitted and put your brother in a trailer and leave the hatch open on the Mazda. He could drive it from the trailer in comfort then.
Q: As a serious collector can you tell me if it has matching numbers? My big concern is any after market intercoolers or suspension modifications. 02-Jun-10
A: Yes, as rare as it may seem it does have matching numbers: The front number plate has the same numbers as the rear number plate. I can't see any intercooler or suspension mods, but there is steering wheel.
Q: I've been reading the item description and Q&A's for such a long time, I have forgotten what colour it is ? If I paid your asking price, would you repaint it purple for me prior to pick up ?? p.s. MUST be metallic paint. p.p.s. I am REALLY excited about this car. Cheers, I look forward to your reply . 01-Jun-10
A: No, I won't paint it purple, but I will let you pick it up in the dark and I should get away with it if you don't read this reply and are therefore none the wiser to my plot. As for the metalic, I'll sprinkle a bit of grinding dust on it and hope for no rain.
Q: Can this car be flat packed and sent to Perth.If so how much for postage and does it come with allen keys and assembly instructions. cheers Phil. 01-Jun-10
A: Actually Perth would be a good spot for this car, it could be used in the mines to cart one piece of coal at a time. If I take it to the post office with a balaclava on, I should get a discount.
Q: You absolutely rock. I want to buy this car just based on the description alone. Sounds like an absolute beast. However, I live in Hong Kong, and I am wondering what the postage will be after you pack it flat in the box. Can you please provide me an estimate, and I will 01-Jun-10
A: I took the car to Ikea today and told them that my pink bookshelf was a disaster and that I wanted it sent to Hong Kong for repair. The kicked me out.
Q: are you able to post this beauty?? 01-Jun-10
A: Only locally, if I send it overseas customs will find all the bugs in it.
Q: I have a modern "bubble" type 121 that I was thinking of selling, so I could go retro in one of these original beauties. Would you recommend the step back in time? 01-Jun-10
A: For certain. Your modern space-age bubble car is probably fitted with a 1.5L engine, which is just asking for trouble. You really need to feel the effects of a headwind so buy my car!
Q: You're great! Shame I don't need a Mazda bomb. 01-Jun-10
A: Yes you do. I was in the shower the other night and thought the same about the soap until I got out and still had a texta beard.
Q: Are you David Thorne? PS Very funny. Good luck. 01-Jun-10
A: No, I've been asked that before and had to google him. He's the one that sends himself emails isn't he? Thanks for the support. Cheers.
Q: Do you realise that you really ARE very funny? I hope so. Because you are. Get a gig doing standup. More chance of making a quid than selling this sorry little vehicle. Good luck! 01-Jun-10
A: Sorry little vehicle, now that's not very nice. Just think that you could take the bonnet off, fill the engine bay with potting mix and grow strawberries in it. Lovely. Thanks for your support and let me know if you want to be my manager.
Q: Have you considered a career in stand up comedy? Clearly that tosser who said you are not funny, has an issue...Nice car BTW. I would buy it just because of the smile you put on my dial. 01-Jun-10
A: Thanks Shoonsta. He or she must be a real fun person to be around, unlike us!
Q: Hi, would you be interested in swapping this sports car for a drawing of a spider I have done (valued at $1500)? Thanks 01-Jun-10
A: How many legs does it have?
Q: do you realise you aren't as funny as you like to think you are? 01-Jun-10
A: It's good that you have an opinion, just a shame that it differs from 98% of the other 15,430 people that enjoyed it. But thanks, I didn't realise so I'll keep it in mind. Thankfully the world keeps turning because of poeple like you!
Q: If you want you can race me for slips in my Subaru Sherpa 750cc. 31-May-10
A: I've seen what thoss Subarus are capable of. One actually managed to get out of second gear on a flat road once. But nonetheless, I will race you for slips as my peticoat is worn out.
Q: hey, is it possible to come have a look?
31-May-10
A: Yes, of course. Let me know when you would like to. I'll even let you open the doors and take it for a drive.
Q: Hi there, I am trying to decide whether to buy your car or an ornamental lamp at the same price. Can you guarantee the chick magnet status of this car? 31-May-10
A: I'm absolutely certain that if you put this thing beside your bed rather than a silly ornamental lamp, you will have much more success with the ladies. You don't even have to plug the Mazda in.
Q:Hi there, What is the 1/4 mile time for this beast? 31-May-10
A: About an hour, plus adding a bit here and there for some stop, revive and survive.
Q: So, what you are saying is this car has less capacity than a large carton of milk ? 31-May-10
A:Yes, especially those 800 litre cartons.
27-May-10
Bookmarks