Junkyard Gem: 1991 Mazda Navajo

Watching the way American Motors and then chrysler printed money by placing old sedan and wagon drivers in new Cherokees XJ During the second half of the 1980s, Ford busied itself with designing a suburban-friendly SUV based on off-the-shelf models. ranger powertrain and suspension components. This was the Explorer, which debuted for the 1991 model year and sparked the commuter truck craze that flourished through the 1990s and continues to this day. We all know the prominence of the ’91 Explorer in American annals. automotive historyBut do we remember that Mazda sold a badge-engineered version for a few years? Here is one of those rare trucksfound in a Denver drive-thru yard recently.

Ford had a close relationship with Mazda when this truck was being designed and had actually sold Mazda trucks badged as Ford Courier here from 1972 to 1982. Starting with the 1986 model year, North American Ford dealers offered the Festiva designed by Mazda and built by Kia, which became the Aspire during its second generation. even the sacred Mustang almost became a brother of the Mazda MX-6 (this car finished with probe badges). 1991 may have been the year of Peak Mazda in Dearborn, with the brand new Escort moving to the 323/Protected Debut of Mercury platform and distributors an Australian built Capri with Mazda hardware.

With all the Mazda hardware on Fords, it was about time a Ford got Mazda badges (Japanese car buyers could buy Large GM sedans with 13B rotary engine with…