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Home > Mazda > 808 > 1975 > Leigh's Mazda 808

Vehicle Owner

Member ID: 13B808Wagon

Location: Ipswich, AU

Last updated: Sep 06, 2008

Leigh’s Mazda 808:
“Poo Brown Wagon of Doom”

  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
18 guestbook comments

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Added 05 September 2008

Well, Ive recently uncovered some old build pictures of my Wagon. They were all taken well before we got a digital camera so the quality is not the best but it will give you an idea of what happened in the early days.

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 207

Here it is, and the project begins. It started with a 1975 Mazda 808 Wagon. Purchased in October 1998. The previous owner had done a few rust repairs and fixed it up for his other half to dive to work. But a split up left him with too many toys so the wagon had to go. $900 changed hands and I was driving home in the beast. My mind working overtime with all the ideas I had for it. Top of the list was open heart surgery, Rotary power was top of the list.

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 211 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 210  

Photo Shop-Old Skool Style

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 209 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 208

As you can see, cut the pictures with a pair of scissors gives you an idea of how it looks lowered.

Next on the list was all the bits I neede to covert my 1300 piston engined wagon to rotary power. After making heaps of calls trying to sorce them, the easiest and cheapest way was to get a donour vehicle.

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 212 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 213

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 217 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 214

I settled on this. Its a 1973 10a RX3 Coupe. It had already been modified so I didnt feel too bad taking bits out of it.

The Worshop

As you can see, not a lot of room to move. Looking backat it now, I cant beleive I got it done !

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 218

I soon had the interior out of the wagon. I wanted to change over the Dash out of the RX3. The tacho and the extra gauges that come in this car are a nice upgrade over the standard 808 equipment.

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 215 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 216

Below: new dash is in

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 219 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 220

Interior almost complete

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 221 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 222

Suspension Time ,

Koni Shocks-Whiteline Sway Bars-King lowered springs up front and reset rear leaf springs drop the ride hight by about 25mm (1 inch)

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 224 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 223

WE HAVE ROTARY

RX-4 13B extend port, Nikki 4 Barrel Carb. modified internals. Just the wiring to sort out now.

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 232

Ready for rego.

July 1999 The purple RX-3 10A nose cone realy stood out. The guys in our car club used to joke about it being special "colour change paint "Look at it from one angle its brown and then it changes to purple" . This was the original vision I had for the car, to make it a look alike RX-3 Wagon (not to have two different paints). As you can see by other pictures on this site I changed my mind a bit.

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 225 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 226

Eng ine Dramas

A crack in the housing in one of the spark plug threads lead to coolant leaking into the combustion chamber. Lots and lots of steam out the exhaust. Rebuild Time new housings and seals and lots of running in time. I didnt rev it over 7000 RPM for 2 years. I think this is why it has lasted all these years.

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 228 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 227

Racing Harnesses anyone?? And some new wheels, Simmons F-15

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 230 13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 229

48 ida Weber Time

13B808Wagon's 1975 Mazda 808 Ipswich, AU Customized with MOMO Shift Knob, Custom Pedals, VDO Gauges, Custom Seats, MOMO Steering Wheel, KONI Shocks, Alpine Speakers, Alpine Tweeters, Alpine Head Unit, Custom Exhaust, Racing Beat Intake, Custom Transmission, Custom Springs, Custom Engine Electronics, Weber Engine Comps., Custom Header, Custom Brakes, Custom Ignition, Custom Perf. Chip, Custom Wheels, Falken Tires, Viper Security - 234

Now you can go back to Page 1 to see the rest of the story

 

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: 13B808Wagon

Location: Ipswich, AU