Kidney, Anyone? 1982 Mazda 626 Capella


In the United States, the Mazda 626 was mostly known as an honorable mention in the Accord-Camry wars of the 1990s. Competent if unmemorable, the front-wheel-drive sedan was Hiroshima’s answer to the family car question few had asked. Europeans love the “second-gen” 626, which prompts the question, “There was a first?” Yes, there was a predecessor sold from 1979 to 1982, and guess what, old schoolers? It was rear wheel drive!

In Japan, it was called the Mazda Capella, a name Mazdafarians will recognize as nihongo for Mazda RX-2, 616 or 618. This means that the “first-gen” 626 was actually the third generation of this particular family, chassis code CB, which sold in very few numbers in the US as a handsome RWD coupe.

Today’s kidney bait is a beautiful mint-green metallic CB 626 located in Burlington, Vermont. The fact that it hasn’t metamorphosed into a pile of iron oxide means that it was likely garaged most winters β€” and summers too, according to the 39,500-mile reading. The best part about this one is its 5-speed manual, which gives you ultimate control as the speedometer climbs ominously towards the 55mph mark, a reminder of the days when our national speed limit was capped at the double nickel. If you’re interested, it can be yours for the asking price of $5900. See the ad on craigslist.

Hat tip to spanky.

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11 Responses to Kidney, Anyone? 1982 Mazda 626 Capella

  1. Tyler says:

    Very nice. If I were evil I’d say this would look sweet with a shark nose, oversized fender flares and 14″ wide wheels. But I’m not evil. πŸ˜‰

  2. cesariojpn says:

    Crackpipe.

  3. banpei says:

    Currently in the Netherlands there is an even more unique 626 for sale:
    http://link.marktplaats.nl/415334970
    Made headless by some aftermarket roof-choppers in 1983! And the great thing: you don’t have to wear seatbelts anymore, legally! πŸ™‚

    The seller also has a sense of humor:

    For the people who have time to place bids and never response afterwards: rather use that time to help elderly with their groceries, then you will at least do something useful with your time… thanks for the cooperation, also on behalf of the elderly…..

    πŸ˜€

  4. Nigel says:

    The missing link, I always knew there was a rear wheel drive one !

  5. 80celica says:

    LOL….Kidney bait.

  6. matt says:

    seems to me this car belongs to a part-time jnc’r who bought it a few years ago and shared on the forum saying he’d been chasing for the right car for years. i guess the thrill of the chase wore off …

  7. seventhskyline says:

    Automotive beige. Probably only done those miles because it bored the pants off the owner.

  8. Jimbo says:

    Nice car! Love the 85 mph max speedometer. Had an 81 RX-7 with the same. The government must have thought if the speedo stopped at 85, no one would drive any faster. Right…

  9. chris says:

    Looks ugly, to be honest. Still, it’s always nice to see a mint condition, un molested rare car like this. Whoever gets it should preserve the way it is and respect the way it was built.

  10. Z-Car-Lover says:

    Hey guys ! I went to see and test drove the 1982 Mazda 626 for sale in Burlington. It is in very good shape, original paint, no rust so far, obviously very very solid car, dents on the hood and right back wing, tiny rust spot on the left door, interior in very good shape, added radio under the original radio (really ??!!), fabrics and vinyls in very good shape, broken left window crank, broken right door lock pull. The engine seems to need a good tune up, valves clappind and/or manifold leaking. Needs a complete exhaust system. It is a car really worth saving… but not for $5 900 !!!! ( I have the strong feeling that this kid lucked up on this car and wants to make substantial bucks on it) If it would need no repairs and if it would be a Luxury edition with all the electric stuff (windows, sunroof, etc.. maybe then, maybe, but this is the base version listed for $3 875 on NADA.com. Again a very very solid original car but needs work, not a whole lot but enough. So for a Mazda fan, it is a great opportunity. I was able to get his price down to $3 500 but the hassle to move it to Quebec is too much. So anyone out there who is wiling to offer a nice and caring home for a completely original 1982 626 coupe… GO !

  11. Rick says:

    I just bought one for $3000, 77kms, 5spd, blue interior and exterior are excellent, it’s the luxury edition, speedo goes to 180, did 140k bringing it home, very solid on the highway, all power options, this one is a little overpriced in my opinion.

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