There are cars in this world that need no introduction. They are icons in their own right and symbolise all things glorious about the motor car: performance, style and sex appeal. These are the cars you stuck on your wall as a child and dreamed of owning someday.
This is not one of those cars.
Back in 1977 the Mazda GLC (or 323 as it was known in Australia) was released as an economical family runabout. It was the sort of car you bought for MPG not HP; practicality not performance. Sure, if you were the indulgent type you could have opted for the range topping 1.4L model with a full 70hp. But, as exciting as that may sound, I assure you, it was never mistaken for a sports car in its day.
Skip a decade or three and not much has changed. When a Mazda GLC pulls up next to you at the lights you won’t flinch and if you happen see one at the drag strip you’ll be sure to do a double take. These reactions, or lack thereof, are all too familiar to Jago when he takes his 1978 Mazda 323 out for a drive. That’s not to say he cares; he certainly didn’t buy a 30 year old hatch to impress the ladies or make a fashion statement. He bought it for one reason only: raw performance.
Confused? Well, I did neglect to mention a few important details about the 323: it’s affordable, it’s rear wheel drive and it only weighs 850kg (1880 pounds) in standard trim. In Jago’s case it also has an SR20DET with 240whp. That sort of power to weight ratio is enough to make your average Supra, EVO or Skyline blush and Jago assured me that it makes for a lot of fun. Funnily enough, Jago used to own a Skyline R32 GTST when he was interested in track racing. However, as his focus shifted to drag racing the decision to change cars was made simple for one reason: he wanted get the most acceleration out of every dollar that he spent. He told me, “pumping $10 000 into the Skyline still only saw a high 11/low 12 second time. $10 000 into a little pocket rocket and you’ll do low 10’s”. He’s not quite there yet but the car has already clocked a 12.6 quarter mile at 111mph. Mind you, that was in full street trim on a set of cheap street tires! With a few changes, Jago assures me 11’s are just around the corner. I have no reason to doubt him either; he’s already lined up a set of: 740cc Nismo injectors, HKS Step 2 Camshafts, Toyo RA-1 Semi-slicks and a Garret GT3071R turbocharger. So what’s a car like this feel like to drive? Jago described it as “raw power. There’s no luxury about it, it’s not quiet, there’s no sound deadening, it’s just a hunk of metal with a bigger engine”. That raw appeal is what made him fall in love with the car in the first place, he’s addicted to acceleration and speed not fake wood trim and leather.
If there’s a down side to owning a car like this it’s that some people just don’t get it and probably never will. Jago said, “most people think it’s front wheel drive, non-turbo – a Ford Laser or something similar”. But he also explained that it’s all part of the charm. The “nearly 80’s” styling, single side mirror and sparsely appointed interior ensure the cars performance remains hidden; you certainly wouldn’t expect to find an SR20DET under the hood. Of course, hiding a cars performance credentials doesn’t happen by accident. If you look closely you’ll notice there’s an intercooler mounted behind the front grill that’s been painted black and a 3″ exhaust system that’s been cleverly designed to have a stock-like appearance. Jago even replaces a set of bucket seats he has with factory items when he’s driving the car on the street so as not to give too much away.
At this stage you’ve probably gone ahead and labelled the car a sleeper but that would be an injustice. Any fast car that looks stock can be called a sleeper but only a select few can claim the status of “Nana Ninja”. These are cars you’re grandmother would drive if she had, in one miraculous feat, gone senile and become a Japanese ninja. Nana Ninjas are old but they’re in good shape, they’re unassuming to look at but they’re bat-shit insane. Yep, Jago’s 323 is definitely a Nana Ninja, the “baby on board” sign, straw hat, Pokemon toy and 240whp SR20DET are all tell tale signs.
Still don’t get it? That’s the idea.
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