| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1977 |
| Production Years: | 1977 - 1984 discontinued in 1984 |
The Mazda E 1600 is a compact pickup truck produced by Mazda between 1977 and 1984. Designed to cater to light commercial and utility transport needs, the E 1600 combined practicality with reliability during its production run. It belonged to Mazda's E series lineup, known for its small-to-mid size pickups suited for urban and rural usage alike.
This generation of the Mazda E 1600 pickup featured a sturdy chassis and a utilitarian cargo bed that made it popular among businesses and private users requiring a reliable compact truck. While specific dimensions for length, width, height, and weight vary slightly depending on exact model variants, the E 1600 was generally compact enough for easy maneuverability but spacious enough to carry a reasonable load. Metrics were in line with other small pickups of the era, boasting typical lengths around 4 to 4.2 meters (approx. 157-165 inches), widths near 1.6 to 1.7 meters (63-67 inches), and heights around 1.5 meters (59 inches). Weight was kept relatively light for enhanced efficiency and handling.
Under the hood, the E 1600 name reflects the approximate engine displacement—1.6 liters—balancing fuel economy with sufficient power output for everyday hauling and deliveries. This made the truck a practical choice for small business owners and tradespeople during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Due to its production span from 1977 to 1984, the Mazda E 1600 pickup truck holds a place in the history of Japanese compact pickups, offering classic styling alongside dependable engineering. Today, it appeals to vintage pickup enthusiasts and collectors focusing on 1970s Japanese utility vehicles. It remains a representative example of Mazda’s practical truck solutions before more modern designs emerged in subsequent decades.
Overall, the Mazda E 1600 pickup is recognized for its compact size, durable build, and economic engine, making it a noteworthy entry in Mazda’s history of light commercial vehicles.
Discover the standout features that make the 1977 Mazda E 1600 a leader in its class
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The Mazda E 1600 pickup truck, produced between 1977 and 1984, features compact yet practical dimensions for its class. Its overall length is approximately 4,150 mm (163.4 inches), making it manageable in urban and rural environments. The width is about 1,620 mm (63.8 inches), allowing for good maneuverability on narrow roads, while the height stands at around 1,540 mm (60.6 inches). These dimensions contribute to the E 1600's reputation as a reliable, easy-to-handle pickup, suitable for small loads and everyday work tasks.
The Mazda E 1600 pickup's cargo bed is designed to balance utility and compact size. The bed measures roughly 2,200 mm (86.6 inches) in length and 1,350 mm (53.1 inches) in width, providing a practical loading area for various types of cargo. Its load capacity is rated around 600 kilograms (approximately 1,322 pounds), which allows for transporting moderate loads suitable for small business operations or personal use. This makes the E 1600 a versatile vehicle for light to medium hauling tasks during its production years.
The curb weight of the 1977 Mazda E 1600 pickup truck is approximately 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds), making it relatively lightweight for a pickup truck. This lighter weight positively influences the vehicle's fuel efficiency and handling characteristics. The E 1600 exhibits nimble maneuverability in tight spaces and better responsiveness compared to heavier trucks, which is advantageous for urban and industrial environments. The weight balance also helps in maintaining decent acceleration, despite the modest engine size typical for pickups of that era.
The ground clearance of the Mazda E 1600 pickup is approximately 180 mm (7.1 inches). This clearance provides the vehicle with moderate off-road capability, allowing it to navigate uneven terrain and minor obstacles with relative ease. Combined with a decent approach angle due to its compact front overhang, the E 1600 is suitable for light off-road tasks typically encountered in agricultural or construction settings. Although not intended as a rugged off-roader, it offers reliable performance on unpaved roads and challenging work environments.
Yes, the Mazda E 1600 pickup truck fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. Given its length of approximately 4,150 mm (163.4 inches) and width of about 1,620 mm (63.8 inches), it fits within the common garage size, which typically accommodates vehicles up to about 5,000 mm (196.9 inches) in length and 2,500 mm (98.4 inches) in width. Owners can park the E 1600 indoors without difficulty, protecting the vehicle from weather elements and potentially prolonging its service life.
The Mazda E 1600, produced from 1977 to 1984, is an evolution of earlier smaller pickups by Mazda, improving in size and utility. Compared to its predecessor models, it gained slightly larger dimensions especially in length and load bed size, enhancing its carrying capacity and onboard space. The engineering updates included a sturdier chassis and more efficient engine configurations, which allowed better payload and improved durability. This generation struck a balance between maintaining compactness for maneuverability and expanding utility for broader commercial and personal usage.
When compared to similar compact pickups from the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as the Datsun 620 or Toyota Hilux of that period, the Mazda E 1600 is fairly comparable in size. The E 1600’s length of approximately 4,150 mm (163.4 inches) is slightly shorter than some competitors, which often ranged from 4,200 mm to 4,500 mm (165 to 177 inches). Width-wise, it is narrower, which helps with urban usability but limits interior space marginally. Its load capacity is competitive, suited for light and medium work tasks, emphasizing Mazda's focus on efficiency and practicality rather than brute carrying power.
The Mazda E 1600 pickup typically featured a 1.6-liter inline-four engine—a reliable and modestly powered unit reflecting the vehicle's utilitarian purpose. This engine produced around 70 to 80 horsepower, delivering adequate performance for its class. The power output supported daily driving, light hauling, and moderate off-road activity without excessive fuel consumption. Although not a high-performance vehicle, the E 1600’s engine was known for its durability and ease of maintenance, making it a pragmatic choice for commercial users and small-scale farmers.
The Mazda E 1600 pickup truck offered a simple yet functional interior cabin with seating capacity for two to three passengers, depending on configuration. Its interior was compact with basic amenities typical of the late 1970s pickup trucks. The seats were designed for comfort during work-related tasks and short trips, featuring durable materials to withstand rough usage. Interior space was optimized for maximizing the cargo bed but maintained sufficient legroom and headroom for driver and passenger comfort within the small cabin footprint.
The Mazda E 1600 employed a straightforward suspension setup that combined leaf springs at the rear for load-bearing and coil springs in the front for better road handling. This configuration provided a firm, stable ride suitable for carrying loads while maintaining reasonable comfort on paved and unpaved roads. The braking system typically consisted of drum brakes on all four wheels, which was standard for pickups in this era. While not high-performance by modern standards, the brakes offered reliable stopping power sufficient for the vehicle's weight and intended utility, contributing to steady and safe driving dynamics.
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