Mazda B-series

Mazda B-Series
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda
Production	1961–2006
Chronology
Successor	Mazda BT-50 Ford Ranger

First generation
The first B1500 model: top left is the original truck, to the right the "Pickup", bottom left is the double-cab truck and on the bottom right is the "Light Van".
Overview
Production	1961–1965
Assembly	Japan: Hiroshima
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door pickup truck 2-door double-cab pickup truck 2-door double-cab coupé utility 2-door van
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L UA OHV I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,495 mm (98.2 in) (BUA) 2,590 mm (102.0 in) (BUB61)
Length	4,150 mm (163.4 in) (BUA61) 4,245 mm (167.1 in) (BUB61)

Second generation
Mazda B1800 (US)
Overview
Also called	Mazda Proceed Mazda B1500/1600/1800 Mazda Rotary Pickup Ford Courier
Production	1965–1977
Assembly	Japan: Hiroshima New Zealand
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door truck
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	1.3 L TC I4 (BTA67) 1.5 L UA OHV I4 (BUD61) 1.6 L NA I4 (BNA61) 1.8 L VB I4 1.3 L 13B
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2650 mm
Length	4370 mm

Third generation
Overview
Also called	Ford Courier Mazda Proceed
Production	April 1977–1985
Assembly	Japan: Hiroshima, Japan Colombia: Bogotá Iran: Tehran (Bahman Group)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door pickup, standard and long bed
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L NA I4 1.8 L VC I4 1.8 L VB I4 (US) 2.0 L MA I4 2.0 L FE I4 2.2 L S2 diesel I4
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,715 mm (106.9 in) (SWB) 2,865 mm (112.8 in) (LWB)
Length	4,445 mm (175.0 in) (SWB) 4,740 mm (186.6 in) (LWB)

Fourth generation
Overview
Also called	Ford Courier (pickup) Ford Raider (wagon) Ford Marathon Mazda Bravo Mazda Fighter Mazda Magnum Mazda Proceed
Production	1985–1998
Assembly	Japan: Hiroshima Colombia: Bogotá South Africa: Pretoria Zimbabwe: Willowvale (WMMI)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door pickup 4-door pickup 4-door wagon
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related	Mazda Proceed Marvie
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L FE I4 2.2 L F2 I4 2.6 L G54B I4 (Mitsubishi) 2.6 L G6 I4 2.2 L R2 diesel I4 2.5 L WL-T td I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.7 in (2,761 mm) 117.5 in (2,984 mm) 109.3 in (2,776 mm) 118.1 in (3,000 mm)
Length	182.7 in (4,641 mm) 198.8 in (5,050 mm)
Width	65.7 in (1,669 mm) 67.1 in (1,704 mm)
Height	61.8 in (1,570 mm) 61.6 in (1,565 mm) 66.1 in (1,679 mm) 65.9 in (1,674 mm)

Fifth generation
Overview
Also called	Mazda Bravo Mazda Fighter Mazda Proceed Ford Courier (pickup) Ford Everest (wagon) Ford Ranger (pickup)
Production	1998–2006
Assembly	Japan: Hiroshima Colombia: Bogotá Philippines: Santa Rosa, Laguna South Africa: Pretoria Taiwan: Zhongli Thailand: Rayong (AAT) Vietnam: Hai Duong (Ford Vietnam) Zimbabwe: Willowvale (WMMI)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact pickup truck Mid-size SUV (Ford Everest)
Body style	2-door pickup 2-door pickup (extended cab) 4-door "Freestyle" pickup (suicide rear doors) 4-door pickup 5-door wagon (Ford Everest)
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.2 L F2 I4 2.6 L G6E I4 2.5 L WL diesel I4 2.5 L WL-T TD I4

The Mazda B-Series is a pickup truck that was first manufactured in 1961 by Mazda. Since the launch of the B-Series, Mazda has used the engine displacement to determine each model's name; the B1500 had a 1.5 L engine and the B2600 had a 2.6 L engine. In Japan, the name Mazda Proceed was used for the compact pickup. Other names used for this line include Mazda Bravo (Australia), Mazda Bounty (New Zealand), Mazda Magnum/Thunder/Fighter (Thailand), and Mazda Drifter (South Africa).

Mazda's partnership with Ford resulted in both companies selling this vehicle under different names; Ford called its version the Ford Courier, and later the Ford Ranger. The Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger models sold in North America were developed by Ford, whereas models sold elsewhere under the same badge were engineered by Mazda.

The Mazda B-Series pickup truck was introduced in Japan in August 1961 as the B1500 (BUA61). This model was the only Japanese market model to be badged under the B-Series naming scheme, i.e. B1500. The BUD61 (second generation) that followed was the first model of the long-running "Proceed" series sold in Japan. It had a 1,484 cc OHV water-cooled engine with wet sleeve cylinders which produced 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS), and a one-ton payload. This model also had a torsion bar front/leaf spring rear suspension, which was advanced for its time, giving it a relatively smooth ride. The B1500 was remodeled between late 1962 and September 1963; it received a new chassis code, BUB61. The BUB61 was more spacious; its cabin was extended by 80 mm (3.1 in) and it had a stretched body and wheelbase. The BUB61 had a new, upside-down, trapezoidal grille instead of the earlier full-width unit, with thirteen bars rather than nine, turn signals on the fenders, and more chrome trim—including a decor strip on the side.

In addition to the standard two-door "styleside" pickup truck body, a double-cab truck and a similar double-cab version called the "pickup", which had a fully integrated coupé utility body rather than the separate bed of the truck versions were produced. The "pickup" model was based on the light van; it had a two-door van model with a fold-down tailgate and an electrically powered window, which was rare in the Japanese market at the time. The light van (BUAVD) was introduced in September 1962, and two double-cab models followed shortly after. These three models were built on the shorter wheelbase chassis; when the longer chassis was introduced it was not deemed worthwhile to create new bodywork. These models were produced for only a few months. The B1500 was sleeker and considerably more powerful than its competitors in the Japanese market, but it was considerably more expensive and it failed to sell in the expected quantities.