JDM Unicorns Episode 3: Mazda Familia GT-Ae 1988
BFMR GT-Ae with WRC livery this car is said to have done 330000kms and still going strong
So the first thing you might be wondering if your a fan of the Mazda 323/Familia turbo lineage is why did we pick the BFMR over the BG8Z GT-Ae which has a lot more juicy specs to rattle off. Well firstly the BG8Z’s specs are much more widely known. Secondly when the BFMR GT-A and GT-Ae were used in rallying it showed promise that the model had enough of what it took to be competitive in Group A, where as the competition was just to far ahead of the BG8Z GT-Ae. Now that might not mean a lot to you as when it comes to rarity only 300 of each model were produced.
We recommend both as investment cars and are happy to attempt to source anything but to understand why the 88 model GT-Ae is the ultimate unicorn it’s worth understanding how manufacturers look at homologation. Homologation cars are built for the purpose of gaining entry to the WRC. They are however not intended to be a mint little street car for us to whip around in feeling cool as much as we would like to. Homologation cars are intended to be snapped up by the WORKS teams as spare parts cars or for semi professional rally teams to convert for competition use who do not want to pay for all the luxury extras on the road versions only to rip them out. Its also a good way of disposing of them without having to look after dealer warranties for the general public, but at the same time keeping the FIA happy. Because the BFMR was showing promise in group A its affordability made it an attractive option for smaller motor sport teams and snap them up they did. Most were destroyed, parted out and used for their purpose meaning very few ever survived as road cars turning them into unicorns.
By the time the BG8Z GT-Ae was released as awesome as it was far better competition options were out there. This meant more of them actually made it as road cars as competitors overlooked them compared with the previous BFMR. Although both are hard to find, a good example of a BG8Z will pop up now and again for those willing to pay the right money. On the flip side I have not seen a BFMR GT-Ae in a state worth buying for investment for over 20 years and remember this is my job, I look all day long for rare cars for clients. Even without other evidence I consider it to be more of a JDM unicorn on that fact alone than the BG8Z. Another note is watch out for GT-X’s down spec’d and fitted with the bumper to look like one.
Once again, if anywhere, NZ is likely the place to find or at least the remains of a BFMR GT-Ae now. You can thank the land down under for destroying almost every BFMR on the planet with their Rayglass fast and furious 1 show cars that have all but been scraped now. It’s very hard to find details on the BFMR GT-Ae so all we can do is share what we know. Please keep in mind most posts are based off Wikipedia and some info is pretty loose to say the least. Generally info is based on the de-tuned 323 from the US market and using the world market model as the high output version at 140hp. But we are focusing on the Familia and know the JDM version made more power so don’t shoot the messenger here. We love specs but our purpose here is to explain not only specs but why the vehicles have become so rare.
Pre Facelift BFMR GT-X with GT-Ae bumper - Owner @Mesadrive216 - One of the nicest BMFR’s alive today
Facelift GT-X not a GT-AE but even still a rare car today. Not uncommon to see fitted with GT-Ae bumper
The BFMR GT-X as pictured above was the high spec road version was released late 85 and Japan’s first serious full time 4WD DOHC Turbo hot hatch. Using Mazda’s B6T DOHC Turbo 1.6L engine they made 147hp on 7psi of boost using an IHI VJ6 Turbo. This was quickly changed to a VJ12 in 86 so we guess they made a bit more power but we can’t find details. The gearbox had an internal transfer case with the ability to lock the front wheels into a LSD type system that when engaged gave the BFMR traction similar to a true AWD system. To enter rallying a homologation version the GT-A was produced, we do not know if anything was upgraded only that they were the lightweight striped out version likely limited to 300 units and maybe fitted with the VJ17 turbo. They wouldn’t have had the GT-X’s height control suspension for sure but because we have no proof of any remaining road examples we have over looked them. In 1988 the GT-X got a face lift and was upgraded with a smaller intake manifold for better flow. A IHI VJ13 turbo was the other major change and although some claim power levels were around the same tuners who worked on them sighted them making around 165hp on 9 PSi of boost in factory setting. We will leave you to look at the turbo specs and make up your mind on that.
Note the mesh grille - Obviously for weight saving measures.
BFRM GT-X models for comparison
The 1988 GT-Ae is the holy grail of the bunch with 300 made for homologation purposes and an evolution on the GT-A. We know they were light weight, sold on steel wheels, had a more basic trim spec including no power accessories, were upgraded with a viscous rear limited slip differential and IHI VJ17 turbo. But where It gets interesting here is owners, tuners and some publications claimed they made near on 200hp stock. Is it possible? Based on the factory computer which was only mapped to be good for 12psi at least in the BFMR GT-X model we think it could be possible. But to make near that power the boost would need to set around the limit of 12psi. Obviously taking into account the a VJ20 on the BG8 GT-X is good for 220hp wound up it could be possible. On the conservative end is other publications claim 150hp which is only 3hp more than the early JDM GT-X or 10hp more than world market version. We think they are getting confused with the upgrade to the world market facelift model so are inclined to side with those who had their hands on Familia GT-Ae’s
Other myths were the internals were all forged and much stronger than the GT-X’s. But at least for the BFMR GT-Ae every tuner who has pulled one down has told us otherwise and that they were the same as a GT-X. We know for a fact its a different story for the BG8Z but why worry, they are actually a very strong motor. Mitsubishi guys used to go out of there way in the early days of 4G63 tuning to get their hands on B6T con rods to use for high hp builds. Are the gearboxes that bad? They are actually stronger than people give credit but after a 200000+KM’s of poor servicing and launch after launch on tarmac by careless owner after owner it is not surprising there were failures. Regardless these are a unicorn and a very special car worth owning. How many are left? Well the fact you used to see quite a lot of GT-X’s out there with GT-Ae bumpers on them might give you a clue. It would probably be a push to think even 5-10% are left but if you have one of these rally legends or know of one let us know we would love to see one again.
