1981-1987 Ford Meteor: Room and Zoom
Ford and Mazda have had a long mutually beneficial relationship since the mid ‘70s when Mazda built Ford’s version of it’s B-Series pick up truck. Over time the relationship grew to include small and mid-sized cars from the humble econo boxes to the sporty coupes. After an impressive portfolio of cars and trucks, the two eventually parting ways in 2015. The partnership was global and produced cars that were tailored to specific markets. This was especially true after 1979 when Ford took a bigger share of Mazda ownership. Americans might recall the Mercury Tracer or the 3rd gen Escort, all cars underpinned by Mazda mechanical bits. In Australia (and South Africa), the Ford Meteor was one of many products of that global partnership.
Not to be confused with the Meteor sub brand Ford used in Canada, the Ford Meteor could easily be confused for a Laser (Escort-like) or Mazda’s popular 323 sedan which it was closely related to. Originally intended as an interim replacement for the larger Cortina – it would later be overshadowed by the larger Telstar (and Meteor’s many platform mates). With two major small car platforms to choose from, it was cheaper for Ford to lean on the Mazda based KA architecture for Australia, than to use it’s European based Escort. A wagon was offered for a short time after 1985. From the vantage point of an outsider, it’s difficult to tell where the Meteor ended and the Lazer begun. Its best to think of the Meteor as a sedan version of the Lazer.
The first iteration of the Meteor called the GA, took the basic 323 design and European-like it with subtle detailing. The biggest change was in front, where the 323’s headlights were replaced with larger ones flanking a egg crate style grille. A small change in 83 (GB) further differentiated the Meteor as upscale (vs the Lazer). The effect was subtle, but looked more elegant – especially in top Ghia trim with its alloy wheels. That element would be lost with the update in 1985. That refresh, often referred to as GC, brought an exterior slotted grille and interior modernization that brought the Meteor closer to a 323 in overall appearance (they shared sheet-metal at that point).
The first and second generation Meteor was built alongside Lasers at Ford’s newly refurbished Homebush, South Wales facility just outside Sydney. With a considerable amount of locally sourced content, Ford stressed improved quality control, since the award winning Mazda 323 had become associated with Japanese quality. Ford was struggling to meet perceptions of Japanese quality in Australia just as it was America.
Powered by a 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine, the Meteor used an electronic ignition system. Initially offered in two trims GL and the higher spec Ghia, all versions used some form of manual transmission (4 or 5-speed). In addition to being more appointed with things like tinted windows and side molding the Ghia model came with a 5-speed manual as standard. The 3-speed automatic was an option for all versions of the Meteor. Interestingly the GL model could be outfitted with many of the features of the Ghia. Little (by today’s standards) the Meteor’s 13’ wheels were average by industry standards, but it’s fully independent suspension was still rare in mainstream cars of the ‘80s – especially ones intended as low cost transportation like the Meteor was.
Another one of Meteor’s big selling points was it’s versatility and space for cargo and passengers. Up to 5 adults could be accommodated thanks to there being no drive train tunnel that plagued rear wheel drive cars (front-wheel drive was still a big deal outside of Japan). A 60/40 split folding rear seat could maximize the over 12 cubic feet of boot space. The rest of the interior looked very close to the Famila/323 with an angular dash and 2 spoke steering that could have come from a Laser, 323 or Familia.
For performance minded buyers on a budget, the Ghia engine used a twin carburetor system by Hitachi that boosted power to 79 vs. the base model’s 73 hp. Such numbers sound modest, but in the mid-’80s a small car with 100 hp was considered a pocket rocket. Still, it was enough power for Ford ads to proclaim “The Meteor has the room and the zoom”, more than a decade before Mazda would adopt “Zoom Zoom” as brand tagline. While no performance sedan, the Meteor at it’s most obese still weighed at just 2000 lbs. Low weight was more in service to efficiency than performance. With up to 47 mpg /highway and 50 mpg/city, the Meteor was one of Ford of Australia’s most efficient cars. Along with the Ford Lazer (a hatchback version of the Meteor that was essentially an 323 posing as an Escort), the Meteor was one of Ford’s most nimble cars. As the model matured, it became more popular with older consumers, prompting Ford to make its sedan only appearance more Mazda 323 like by the end of it’s run in 1987. Younger consumers were moving over to the Lazer which offered sporty 2 and 4 door hatchbacks.
Another one of Meteor’s big selling points was it’s versatility and space for cargo and passengers. Up to 5 adults could be accommodated thanks to there being no drive train tunnel that plagued rear wheel drive cars. Front-wheel drive was still a big deal outside of Japan and was quickly catching on in Australia. A 60/40 split folding rear seat could maximize the over 12 cubic feet of boot space made all the more spacious with the choice to mount the spare in or under the cargo area. The rest of the interior looked very close to the Famila/323 with an angular dash down to the two spoke steering wheel.
Looking back, the Meteor was just a footnote in Ford’s small car development in Australia. Today performance fanatics are more likely to embrace the 323 or Laser than the Meteor whose model lines would be absorbed into the Laser. Just as it did in America and England, Ford would use Mazda’s small car and front wheel drive expertise to increase it’s market share and confidence with buyers who were steadily moving to small well built imports.
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