We don’t know if this 1984 Mazda GLC LX “Golden Nugget” edition was a giveaway related to the Golden Nugget casino in Las Vegas or where that name came from. Maybe one of you will know the history of this model. The seller has this Mazda listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Salem, Oregon and the seller is asking basically nothing for this car: $2,900. For such a nice car in 2024 dollars, that’s a screaming bargain. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Yargbull for the tip!
Built in 1946, the Golden Nugget Casino in downtown Las Vegas (remember downtown Las Vegas?) is one of the oldest in town. Was this car a giveaway there in 1984? I can’t find any reference to a Golden Nugget edition anywhere but maybe one of you can track it down. There is a badge on the bottom of each front fender and the obvious gold theme inside and out is a clue that something special was going on. The wheels are way too big for 1984 so I’m guessing they were added at some point, but I like ’em. This car has 111,600 miles and I’d want to change the head gasket pronto if it were mine. My wife had a new 1988 323 that blew the head gasket twice and then was off to the junkyard after only 60,000 miles.
The Mazda GLC (Great Little Car) was known as the Mazda Familia in most other countries. We got the fourth-generation Familia, or GLC, here in North America from 1981 through 1985 in two-door and four-door body styles. At just over 13 feet long, they’re small cars and are fun to drive in an “It’s fun to drive slow cars fast” way. Here’s what the rear cargo compartment looks like, very nice. I believe the color is called Shine Gold.
If this was a Salem, Oregon car its whole life, it could explain the incredible condition of the body. I don’t see any rust anywhere. I do see that the hood appears to have been painted and it wasn’t an exact match. The interior looks great other than not seeing a manual transmission. But, this is a “luxury” edition. The striped velour seats are in amazing condition and the color and pattern are great. They’re shown in a Mazda brochure listed as a “GLC Luxury Interior” so they must not be part of a special Golden Nugget edition. Other than the hood being a slightly different shade, I don’t see a flaw in this $2,900 car.
The engine is Mazda’s E5-series, a 1.5-liter SOHC inline-four that was factory-rated at 69 horsepower and 82 lb-ft of torque. The optional Jatco F3A three-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels and a five-speed manual would have been great here. The seller says it was a one-owner car until two years ago and it works great, and it’s not perfect but it’s close. It has a new Weber carb and nice work sneaking it under that factory air cleaner rather than using the chrome rectangular air cleaner! In today’s world, $2,900 is a four-wheel full brake job so this is a steal. Have any of you heard of the Golden Nugget edition?
I love this. I so wish it was t on the opposite coast. I bought a GLC new in 1982 (base model with manual trans), and to this day, it was the best car I ever had. (And that’s a long list includes a Charger, Corvette, RX7, and lots more.) It was a blast to drive and dependable as all get out. (Don’t know that one with an automatic would be near as fun, but it’s sure great to see one in such great condition.)
The gold was a standard colour; they were known as Mazda 323 here.
Derek, where is “over here” for you?
Scotland!
Over here there where know as the 323, and I laughed at the GLC, because they were great little cars (seriously is it badged as a GLC?). Also badged as the Ford Laser over here. The Ford version was more popular, and could be had as a turbo and AWD
The only car my folks bought new was a 1980 GLC. Automatic and rear wheel drive. The car still runs but most of the body and frame have rotted away, so I fixed it and made a “farm buggy” out of it. Such great memories.
Pity it’s an auto. But it’s nice and clean.
Gold ✨️
Actually, we got the GLC starting in 1978. My boss bought one when they first came out. They were very popular cars at the time, now you almost never see one.
Terrry, I was talking about the fourth-generation GLC as I mentioned, but you’re right. My wife had a third-gen GLC that she traded in on her ’88 323.
Before this generation they were rear wheel drive.
I’d sure take this one over the AMC blue Pacer Wagon in the previous listing, although I give the Pacer a few points for the Keystone mags! These little Mazdas were great little cars, not just disposable appliances. Wish it had air and wasn’t clear across the country. But it actually looks like it would be capable of the trip…hmmmmmm…..
I’ll buy your first tank of gas if you drive it home, Azzura!
As tempting as it is, no AC is a bummer since I live in West Texas. It’s still summer here!
I hope you buy it, Azzura!! 🙂
My first car was a 1984 Mazda GLC 4speed manual. Despite being gold and an auto Im very tempted. These, in acceptable condition, are extremly rare.
I believe it was the GLC that turned the tide for Mazda, like the Civic or Subie GL did. In the late 70s, econoboxes were all the rage. The Omni, the Rabbit, the LeCar, the GLC was Mazdas entry after that dismal rotary fiasco. I had a friend with a GLC, about as exciting as a paper plate, but boy howdy, it got unheard of gas mileage, Americas hot button at the time. Mazdas went from a paltry 2,000 cars sold in the US in 1970, to 6 figures in just 10 years. The GLC was a big part of that. If I still enjoyed driving, which I don’t, this would be perfect for sightseeing on the cheap.
Actually, it was a pretty exciting car to drive. I had one with a manual and it handled great! Great enough to use in the Akron Sports Car Club autocross. Add to that an mpg of 35, and it was indeed a great little car.
It shows how far we haven’t gone that with gas prices the way they are and climate change that few cars now get close to that. We would be wise to go back to making GLCs, Omnis, Rabbits, etc!!!
I had a 1985 GLC 4 door sedan that I bought new. It was the same gold color, had really nice velour seats and a 5 speed transaxle. It made a perfect car when I went off to school to earn my Airframe & Powerplant mechanics license in 1987-1988. It was a riot to drive on the ragged edge with a set of sticky Pirelli tires. I’d love another simple, honest car like that again.
You ought to think about buying this one! 👍🏻🙂
Funny this comes up now, I just had an argument with a friend as we were passing a new Mercedes Benz 250 GLC on the highway. I said “do you know what the “GLC” stands for? He said he didn’t. I said “Great Little Car” 😂.
He said, “no way”. So I began to tell him about Mazda’s GLC in the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s…
Had to get “YouTube Proof” to convince the non-believer…
Friends had these. They were good cars and fun with the stick. Amazing to see pne in such good shape.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to buy an unassuming car like this again?
My base model Kia Soul 1.6 liter FWD hatchback carries on the tradition of past economy cars like the Mazda GLC/323. Mine has automatic transmission, air conditioning and power windows so am glad that today’s small cars have more options.
Except for air conditioning and power steering there’s nothing else that has added to the enjoyment of driving the car. Even then most of the advancements have done nothing to improve driving pleasure. Remember to add lightness.
Who remembers the TV ads featuring (fairly) famous economist Elliot Janeway, sternly looking at us saying GLC stood for ‘great little car’ and the nerdy guy kept saying it meant ‘great lotta car’…..?
The first car with a stick I ever drove was a friend’s red ’79 GLC 4 door hatchback.