Marcel has 17 Mazda’s in his garage
How the love for Mazda was born
With no less than seventeen Mazda models in the garage, there is of course only one first logical question: how did this love for Mazda originate? Marcel: “My love for Mazda originated in my youth. I used to love cars when I was little. That was also because of my father, who always drove fine automobiles, such as a Ford 17M, Ford 20M, Audi 100 and Ford Granada. After that Granada came a Mazda, through my uncle’s influence on my father. I was 17 years old when the Mazda dealer had a 1985 Mazda 929 Coupe in the showroom. That could be the one, mind you, only my father – with an eye on the family – didn’t choose a coupe but the 929 sedan.”
Leaflet of Mazda RX-7
He continued: “From the salesman at that dealer visit, I got a brochure of a 1985 Mazda RX-7 FB pressed into my hands. That’s when the love for the RX-7 began. I immediately thought, ‘I want that one later!’ I always kept that brochure in my school bag. ‘Learn well and work hard and it will come to you,’ I always told myself. After I bought my first house in 1990, I bought an RX-7 shortly thereafter. I restored that to like-new condition in four years with the help of another donor car.”
Since then, Marcel’s collection has only grown. Cars have also been sold in recent years to make room for other models. In Marcel’s barn – under the smoke of Amersfoort – there are now seventeen Mazda models. “And one Opel,” he says. “That’s a 1998 Opel Tigra Rio Verde. I just like that car so much, but that’s the only outlier in my collection.”
The oldest Mazda in the Netherlands
But what Mazda models does this Mazda enthusiast own? “I have four examples of the Mazda 1500, one of which is the very first Mazda delivered in the Netherlands. It is also the oldest Mazda in the Netherlands. The car was taken off the boat in Antwerp and delivered by the dealer in Arnhem directly to the customer and put in private name. The car is from June 6, 1967. The dealer plate can still be found on the front left of the nose of the car.”
Other Mazda models
In the garage, we also spy another 1972 Mazda 1800 Estate, a 1977 Mazda RX-5, a 1979 Mazda RX-7, a 1986 Mazda 929 Coupe, a 1989 Mazda RX-7 Cabriolet, a 1990 Mazda 323F Coupe and a 1991 Mazda MX-5 NA. “I also have a 1993 Mazda Xedos V6. I am also very proud of my 1996 Mazda 323F BA V6 GT. I forgot to mention a 1998 Mazda Xedos-6 2.0 V6, as well as a 2001 Mazda Xedos-9 2.5 V6. And my big pride: a bright yellow 2004 Mazda RX-8.”
If we count correctly, we arrive at sixteen. One Mazda is still missing. Marcel: “I almost always do my daily mileage in a 2021 Mazda MX-30. But that’s the only electric car. It is excellent. I notice that the car is often criticized for its range, for me the car is perfect. I get 220 kilometers in summer and 175 kilometers in winter. I charge the car at home via solar panels.”
Favorites
Marcel lists a few favorites in his collection. “I have to mention my Mazda RX-8 anyway. I love the color Lightning Yellow. By the way, I find it extraordinary that the RX-8 has such a bad reputation. Mine is already 22 years old and still has the first engine. Okay, it’s only done 80,000 kilometers, but good maintenance is key. You just have to be economical with your stuff and drive the engine slowly to warm up. The RX-8 is truly a hidden gem as far as I’m concerned. The RX-8 is by far the most comfortable sports car that is also practical with four seats. Austria, Germany, southern Germany, with my RX-8 I drive everywhere. What a blissful travel car it is!
Mazda 929 Coupe
Another favorite of Marcel’s is the first-generation RX-7. “That’s mainly because of the bit of emotion and history. The car has been completely restored. I would never get rid of it either. The Mazda 929 Coupe is also so much fun. What a beautifully lined car that is! Truly a classic gran turismo. It is also a car with unique features, such as an electronic dashboard, folding headlights and electrically adjustable suspension. Favorite number four is the Mazda RX-5. As far as I am concerned, my car is the most beautiful car in Europe. There are also very few of them.”
Bertone
But then why such a strong focus on Mazda? “It’s mainly because of the design. The 1500 and 1800 were drawn by Bertone. And then the Mazda 323F, drawn by Porsche designer Ginger Arnold Ostle. Every time, Mazda puts something different on the street. And it’s always timeless. By the way, I am a quiet driver. I can enjoy driving a car, but ultimately, for me, the car and its story complete the picture. The looks, a special or rare version, that attracts me. Besides, not everyone drives a Mazda. With a Mazda you are much more unique than a German or Italian car.”
You are crazy!
“I regularly get told, ‘You’re crazy!” or “What to do with it? I even once heard, ‘I’m not pissing on it yet,’ haha. You hear, opinions vary. But a lot of people also think it’s pretty special. Sometimes people ask how my business is doing, because people have the impression that I restore and sell cars. That’s kind of funny. But in general, people are very positive, even within clubs. People with a Mazda heart know that this is special. People also know that my heart is with the rotary engines and with the RX-7. Remember that leaflet?”
Marcel doesn’t so much have a dream car. “My collection is my dream. Although I must admit that I still dream quite a bit about a pristine Mazda MX-3 V6 or MX-6 V6. Who knows, maybe those cars will come my way someday.”