In a quiet corner of Retro Havoc 2024, amidst a gathering of 950 modified cars, sat an unassuming Mazda, seemingly separated from the rest of the show.
Whether due to a late arrival by its owner, Tiup, or the discerning eye of Retro Havoc organisers Alie Kuoppa and Farah Darlings, the little Mazda Familia had found itself in its own display area. But what makes this ’90s hatchback so special that it merits a spotlight? Honestly, not much at first glance. The Familia is unremarkable in most trim levels, but it does share its family tree with some notable relatives.
The Familia name has been around since 1963, debuting in Japan as a two-door van – then other body styles – after being penned by 25-year-old Giorgetto Giugiaro. It was known as the Mazda 800 in overseas markets. The second generation Familia (Mazda 1000) arrived in 1967, again in a variety of body forms, and with four-cylinder engines underpinning the model. There was an exception, though – the Familia Rotary (aka R100) which featured Mazda’s first production rotary engine, the 10A. The high-performance Familia’s motorsport success – including a notable performance at the 1969 Spa 24 Hours – marked Mazda’s early triumphs and laid the groundwork for future legends like the 787B. In the early 1970s, Mazda’s rotary engine was also fitted to the Grand Familia, better known as the Savanna or RX-3.
But we’re not here to talk rotaries.
Eventually, the Familia line was exclusively powered by four-cylinder engines. The rotary, however, continued, most notable in the Mazda RX-7. That leads us, in a roundabout way, to the world of rally.
For a brief time, Mazda Rally Team Europe used an RX-7 in Group B. Despite being underpowered and rear-wheel drive, the Mazda did podium on the Acropolis Rally. Unfortunately, that was the end of the line; Mazda didn’t want to back the development of an all-wheel drive RX-7, by which time Group B’s curtains were closing. Enter Group A and the Mazda Familia in BF-series form.
At its peak in the early 1990s, the BG series Familia – or 323 in export markets – featured an all-wheel drive, turbocharged 1.8L four-cylinder powertrain in its highest-performance JDM production models. For homologation purposes, 2,200 Familia GT-Rs and 300 Familia GT-Ae (a motorsport base with lighter weight and featuring a close-ratio gearbox among other changes) variants were produced exclusively for the Japanese domestic market. While the Familia couldn’t match the likes of Lancia, Ford, Toyota and Subaru on the World Rally Championship stage, the 300hp Group A car was far from a failure.
While the sixth-generation Familia I spotted at Retro Havoc looks like a GT-R/GT-Ae with the distinctive rally-style front bumper, grille, vented bonnet, and five-stud hubs, it is not. It’s not even a GT-X – the entry all-wheel drive turbo BG-series Familia. It started life as a lowly front-wheel drive, naturally aspirated variant sold new in Malaysia.
As per Malaysian car laws, it’s still front-wheel drive, but that’s where most similarities between how it left the factory and how it presents now begin and end. On the quest to build the best BG Familia hatchback with the resources available to him, Tiup turned to Japan-based wreckers and auction sites to source all of the OEM and aftermarket parts.
Inside, the car features GT-R leather seats front and rear – the driver’s seat having since been swapped out for a rare Mazdaspeed recliner – plus a Mazdaspeed steering wheel, 240km/h speedometer, and various Defi gauges.
Under the hood, the original 1.5L mill has given way to a BP 1.8L turbo powerplant from a GT-R. With locally-fabricated intake and exhaust manifolds and other power-making modifications in the mix, the engine is making much more than its original 210hp. That would be a problem for the driveline if the car was all-wheel drive – the factory AWD gearboxes were a weak link – but not so with all that power being sent to the front wheels. Although, traction is an issue.
Despite not being the Familia model it visually emulates, Tiup’s build represents everything great about Malaysian car culture at an enthusiast level. Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.
Toby Thyer
Instagram _tobinsta_
tobythyer.co.uk
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Thanks Toby, this is cool, something I wish I could own, drive.
"As per Malaysian car laws" ... Does that mean how it was manufactured re: drive train format is how it must remain? Cant convert to a AWD?
yes, drivetrain conversion from FWD to AWD are not legal in Malaysia. but I have heard that if the car available in both FWD and AWD, and the conversion is just plug and play without having to modify the chassis, frame & fuel tank, it can be allowed as long as you can get it endorsed by the government.
I have a friend that have converted his FWD Proton Inspira (a rebadged Lancer) to AWD using Lancer Ralliart parts and it's just plug and play to his car. tho Evo parts can't be used because it can't fit directly to the car.
tho all mods actually can be endorsed if you can get the approval from the engineering department of the local DOT but that is easier said than done.
There are are loads of 4wd Evo conversions of their Protons (which are basically Mitsubishi toolings) into Evo 4wd powertrains.
I doubt these conversions can be legally endorsed by their DOT equivalent (its JPJ to the malaysian guys) but they only have MOTs if the car is changing hands. Other than that you are basically under the radar almost all the time. So as it is, anything goes. Powertrain swaps... 4wd conversions etc.
You could get the Satria GTI registered with a 4G63 Turbo in Western Australia (Can't vouch for a 4x4 conversion as I had not applied for that) as I had applied to have it done to my Satria GTI. Just needed to make sure all the modifications were engineered and exhaust noise levels and clearances were ok.
In Australia I don't think they sold the 4x4 Mazda 323. Ford did release a 4x4 turbo Lazer based on the Mazda though.
well lucky you Aussies! ya got an insta page or something that i can follow? An Aussie Satria GTi is interesting.
No social media for me.
The GTI was sold to the mechanic doing the work on the car unfortunately as I had to stop work due to needing spinal surgery. No social media for me.
The GTI was sold to the mechanic doing the work on the car unfortunately as I had to stop work due to needing spinal surgery. I had another stock 1.8 GTI that was rear ended.
The 4g63 turbo was already in the car when I bought it, it just needed some clearances with the intercooler and a few relatively minor issues to be fixed so it could be registered (legally).
Letting go of the GTI was a huge regret.
I have a lot of respect for the Malaysian car scene, amazing builds and it looks like they enjoy what they are doing.
Another reader mentioned something about their roll cages in a previous post. Sounds like they have some really strict laws regarding what can be done to your vehicle. It was something about the factory roll cage iirc. I wouldn't doubt there is a law there about converting drive train. Sounds like a hard place to be into modifying cars.
This looks like it came straight out of Tokyo Extreme Racer Zero. He is a wanderer for sure.
My old neighbor had a 323 GT-R, super cool car but it spent 90% of it's time being fixed.
Thank for the review toby....
Awesome car Tiup, I especially love the colour and the wheels suit it perfectly.
Can see more picture from my instagram or facebook..just search my name
Now there's a platform doesn't get much a love.
Thanks for this feature. Great car - this is what it's all about (at least to me)!