Mazda T-Series

The Mazda T-Series, when optioned with its largest bed, is longer than a Chevrolet Suburban.

Let that sink in. Or, if you're having trouble picturing a Suburban, think of a Toyota RAV4…then park a Smart fortwo behind it. That's how long the T-Series is.

You can actually fit a K360, Mazda's smaller 3-wheeled truck, in the bed of the T-Series.

And a shorter T-Series in the bed of a longer T-Series…

Mazda's first vehicle, the 1931 DA, was a three-wheeled trike with a small truck bed mounted behind the driver. Integral to work rebuilding Japan, these small vehicles are what helped give several manufacturers their start.

Fast forward more than 20 years, and the T-Series (T1100 and T1500), introduced in 1959, would become the ultimate evolution of Mazda’s 3-wheel utility vehicles.

If you're wondering how they packaged an engine in there — considering where the front wheel sits — its powerplant was mounted underneath the front seat, with the radiator mounted behind the front wheel.

Sadly, no rotary engine was fitted, but the base model had 46 horsepower from an 1139cc four-cylinder engine, and the 1500 rocked a tremendous 60 horsepower.

How much could these beasts of burden carry? The base model was rated for 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) and the 1500 had a payload of 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs.) 

In terms of payload, that’s Super Duty territory.

Upgraded for 1962, now with the T1500 as the base truck and a T2000 added — now featuring a 1985cc four-cylinder engine making a stout 81 horsepower. Payload? Still a maximum of 2,000 kg.

How could these machines have such generous payloads?

First, they're incredibly simple: ladder frame, semi-floating (T1100 and T1500) or fully-floating rear axle to handle strong loads. 

Second, it's essentially a truck bed that happens to have a cab in front of it—there's no fluff. Just put a bunch of crap in the back and get on with it.

Third, it’s the ’50s and ’60s, baby! Nobody was getting sued if an operator, y’know, somehow overloaded its front axle.

All T-Series trucks had three-channel brakes, and, eventually, power brakes in 1965. For city use — perfect for Japan — it turning circle is an incredible 19.5 feet. 

That's about what you'd get from a mid-sized sedan like the Honda Accord.

A place you don't expect would have a lot of these kicking around is Greece, but many were manufactured there on license. Then all but evaporated.

Production in Japan continued until 1974, which is quite incredible. 

More incredible? The freakin’ CREW CAB version built by Kia Master in Korea; production of the 1500 started in 1963. Its predecessor was the Kia Master K360, again borrowed from Mazda.

There were other Japan-only Mazda trucks, and dozens of other three-wheeled trucks. To my eyes, none managed to top Mazda’s classic beast of burden.

In a surprising twist, the T-Series have become quite popular among artists hoping to include a memorable vehicle in their work.