Mazda was engaging in a bit of marketing hyperbole when their new GLC “Great Little Car” showed up in the marketplace in 1977. But when it came to the subcompact/compact segment, true greatness was found elsewhere. Mainly on vehicles like the Civic or Accord, and even the 3-year-old VW Rabbit (Golf). Models that made use of modern space-efficient FWD setups and engaging driving for the class.
Instead, Mazda’s GLC made use of far more standard hardware. The car’s layout was the traditional RWD format, powered by a standard piston inline-4; though dressed in a rather trendy hatchback body. But if the new model didn’t break much new ground, this didn’t keep it from being a car that Mazda (still Tokyo Kogyo at the time) had spent a good deal in making it as good as it could.
In the end, a “pretty good” car, in the words of R&T.
As is well known, Mazda had invested heavily in the Wankel-rotary throughout the ’60s-’70s. But the once-promising tech had become a liability; mostly as its fuel-consumption needs became unattractive through the crisis-prone 1970s. There were further issues with emissions control and the new tech’s reliability. So, when the GLC appeared, Mazda made sure to promote the model’s standard powermills. “Great Little Piston Engine” (GLPE?), the ads clearly stated.
Styling wise, the new model found much in common with the contemporary Chevette. With the Chevy also being an RWD offering, R&T spent some time pondering the packaging upsides and downsides of each. In this, the GLC fared better, showing the care Mazda had placed on the new model.
While being 4 in. shorter than a Chevette, the GLC had a larger carrying capacity and similar passenger accommodations (give and take an inch here and there). Numbers that R&T even found competitive against the modern FWD offerings.
Staying in the interior, instruments, and ergonomics were the usual Japanese efficient of the time, while lacking the upgrade feel of Honda’s products. But overall, a good value for the car’s cost.
Upon arrival to American shores, the GLC showed up solely in 2-door hatchback format; and solely with Mazda’s tried and tested 1272-cc inline-4 found in their 808 range (Mizer). The mill provided 49bhp at 5000 rpm, with a 0-60 time of 16.2 secs. Nothing to brag about against other similar Japanese models, but an improvement over the Chevette’s numbers.
These numbers could, obviously, shift depending on chosen transmission and rear-end ratio. R&T’s test model carried the optional 5-speed, but a 4-speed and an automatic were also available. Noise levels, torque and fuel consumption varied accordingly.
However, in typical ’70s fashion, the GLC’s powertrain suffered from poor driveability under cold weather conditions needing constant choke adjustments. That is until normal operating temperatures were reached, but “frustrating” in the meantime.
Elsewhere, the McPherson strut front suspension and 5-link rear system provided “reasonable” handling. The GLC’s fairly sophisticated rear setup, along the noise-isolating suspension rubber, provided a “reasonable job of smoothing the ride”. At least until the car reached “bumpy pavement where the combination of short wheel-base, rather stiff springs and still-not-qute-enough wheel travel impart the typical, if muted, Japanese Jerky Ride Condition.”
Braking was found to be “good” for the segment, while the steering ratio improved over that of the Chevette’s. Overall, the terms used throughout the review: good and reasonable. Not a class-leading proposal, but worth seeing as a “Pretty Good” offering.
The GLC moniker would remain in the US for some time to come. And it would be no longer a case of hyperbole when the new FWD update arrived in 1980; a true Great Little Car, as told here at CC. In the meantime, the ’77 GLC would help Mazda regain some financial health and the shopping public’s interest.
Related CC reading:
CC Capsule: 1981 Mazda GLC/323 Wagon – Not Quite As Great
Curbside Classic: 1981 Mazda GLC/323 Truly The Greatest Little Car Of Its Time?
Curbside Classic: Mazda GLC, Gen Two; The First Modern Mazda
A guy at college had one of these. He commuted on the weekends back home, so his parents wanted something reliable as opposed to a Pinto or Vega. His Dad was an engineer and the son was also an engineering candidate. Therefore, this influenced the selection of the Mazda.
Only 49 hp! Is this some kind of record for a gas engine car in the US? Yet it was quicker than the Chevette.
Wrong acceleration chart in the article…
This is the correct chart, taken from the 1978 Road and Track Road Test Annual.
Thanks for the fixed image. The post has been updated now.
During my police officer career, my department bought two Mazda GLC sedans for their detectives…a blue one and a red one. One of my fellow officers had a silver one, on which he put wide red-white-blue striping (visualize the American Airlines tricolor cheat line from the DC-10 to just recently). So there were often three in the parking lot behind the station.
For a training class about 200 miles away, I was assigned the blue Mazda. It handled well on the curves on US101 in Northern California, though the engine was rather weak on the hills. Other than on hills, it was rather fun to drive.
Since I chose to drive at night, I went through the Drive-Thru-Tree when nobody was around and didn’t have to pay the fee. Unfortunately the photo I tried to take of the Mazda in the tree isn’t worth printing here.
As unmarked cars, the Mazdas were unexpected and largely unnoticed by suspects, almost as much so as my scuzzy, beat up 1972 Dodge van that the department borrowed on occasion!
That’s a really great idea.
All too often “anything can be a cop car” turns into “anything from a domestic brand with a V8 option can be a cop car”. You’re not fooling anyone in that F150…
I had one in 1992 for a few months, light blue. I really liked that car, it was destroyed in an accident, pretty hard hit but I walked away unscathed. While I did have it I really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting and bringing back good memories.
The lived up the name , pretty much. Darn “good little cars”.
This brings back memories of my first introduction to the Mazda name.
The neighbor lady was done driving her 65 Mercury Breezeway sedan and invited me to ride along as they went car shopping. Their son was the best friend, and I liked cars. We looked at a Mazda in a downtown Columbus Ohio dealer. It was a neat little wagon, but her husband wasn’t a fan of the rotary engine.
Next was a Vega… she didn’t even test drive that!
Finally, she ended up with a loaded Pinto wagon, which she drove a long time.
I leased a 91 Mazda MX6 and really liked it.
Has one a 82 3 door van version 1.5 engine 4 speed bought dead it did run and it drove better than the Ford Escort I was going to harvest the battery and tyres for, I put a used import engine in at and drove it for 3 years great car never went wrong just needed maintenance the whole time.
While this generation just got Mazda in the game, the next generation turned out to be one of the better players. Front drive, very nicely styled with a beautiful interior.
Mazda was losing market, due to the Wankel, and this car stemmed the bleeding. Mazda ensured that it was a reliable good car with high value, and the GLC paid the bills. The second generation was perfection.