Introducing the “elder” Mazda R100 Coupe

Apart from the costly and lavish brand-new car models, numerous car aficionados are gravitating towards the excitement of discovering classic automobiles, like this authentic Mazda R100 Coupe.

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When feeling tired of the shiny new cars running on the streets, sometimes the sight of a cute little box-shaped old car with its distinctive engine sound catches the attention of many people. Therefore, in the car enthusiast community in Hanoi, a small group of car enthusiasts is revisiting the hobby of collecting old, original, and beautiful cars to use according to their own preferences.

One such car is the nearly 50-year-old Mazda R100 Coupe, a 2-door sports model owned by Mr. Phan Thanh Tung, a car enthusiast in Hanoi.

The Mazda R100 Coupe was produced between 1967 and 1973 as part of the second generation of the Mazda Familia family. The Mazda Familia is a compact family car that was produced by the Japanese car manufacturer from 1964 to 2003, with a total of 10,589,052 units sold worldwide. It had various names in different markets, including 1000, 1200, 1300, 800, 808, and 818. It was eventually replaced by the Mazda3 in 2004.

 

The Mazda R100 Coupe, nearly 50 years old, is owned by a car enthusiast in Hanoi. Although he currently uses a Honda CR-V for daily commuting, he enjoys taking his “old lady” out for a spin every weekend. He takes great care of it by washing it and cruising to coffee shops with his friends.

Despite “battling” through many years on different roads and weather conditions, the car still maintains its original paint with two colors: yellow and black. The paint looks remarkably new.
According to Mr. Tung, he found this car while traveling in Dak Lak. It was “born” in 1969 and registered in 1973. It took him some time to get used to its old gearbox and steering wheel after acquiring the car. However, Mr. Tung did not disclose the purchase price, as he believes that vintage cars should not be measured in terms of numbers but rather by personal preference and attachment.
The R100 is equipped with 12-inch wheels, two disc brakes for the front wheels, and drum brakes for the rear wheels.

Details on the front such as headlights, signal lights, and windshield wipers are still in their original condition. Only the rearview mirror has been replaced.

As a car born in the 60s and 70s of the last century, the R100 still retains traditional manual window handles.
The simplicity of the R100’s cabin immediately catches the eye. The steering wheel, although not original, is from a Lada (Russia). The absence of power steering gives a heavy feeling at low speeds when turning. The center instrument cluster only consists of a tachometer and an odometer. Next to it, there are the electric clock, coolant temperature gauge, and fuel gauge. The audio and air conditioning systems in the car are new.

The interior has been covered with brown-red leather by the owner, which provides great comfort and harmony with the exterior.

As a 2-door coupe, the front seats need to be folded down for people to access the second-row seats.

The rear windows in the passenger compartment can only be opened slightly.
The rear of the car has undergone several modifications, with only the signal lights being replaced by lights from a 5-ton truck. The R100 is a rear-wheel drive sports car, making it suitable for “drifting” with this “old lady”.
During transportation, the Mazda logo was lost, so the owner replaced it with “Sport”. This not only stays true to the original design but also adds a youthful and dynamic feel.

Sharing more about his “old lady”, Mr. Tung said, “The challenge with vintage cars is that the closer they are to their original condition, the better. Modifying them would be too simple. Fortunately, spare parts for this car are easy to find, making repairs hassle-free. The vintage car scene is livelier in the South than in Hanoi. I hope that more people will develop a passion for and appreciate classic cars in the future.”

By Manh Quan

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