Mazda Parkway

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Mazda Parkway 26 (first generation)
Mazda Parkway (second generation)

The Mazda Parkway is a minibus that was based on the Mazda Titan platform, and was manufactured at the Hiroshima Factory exclusively for the Japanese market. In 1974, the Parkway was installed with the 13B rotary engine and well as a 2000cc gasoline type "VA" and the diesel 2500cc type "XA". It also offered a novel transmission approach added to the manual transmission installed, called a sub transmission to cope with the load carrying requirements, and a fluid coupling to preventing engine stalling, knocking and oscillation. The rotary-powered minibus was called the Parkway Rotary 26, and could accommodate 26 passengers, even though it weighed 2,835 kg (6,250 lb), and could achieve a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). It was introduced July 22, 1974 and the rotary engine was replaced with a more conventional diesel engine in 1977.[1][2]

The Parkway Rotary was built only for the Japanese market, and certain aspects concerning its lack of speed become evident once its realized that urban two-way streets are usually zoned at 40 km/h (25 mph) or less,[3] as mentioned in the article Speed limits in Japan.

There were two generations of the Parkway, from 1972-1982, and the type WVL from 1982 until 1997. It replaced the Mazda Light Bus that was previously built from 1964 until 1972. It was also available as the Kia Combi due to Mazda's partnership.

The Parkway was a favorite with public transportation in southern Japan, such as Hiroshima and Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, and competed with the Toyota Coaster, Nissan Civilian, Isuzu Journey, and Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa.

Mazda Light Bus[edit]

Mazda Light Bus


  1. ^ San, Kevin. "Mazda Parkway: Rotary Power for you and 25 of your best friends". Japanese Nostalgic Car. Retrieved 2016-01-07. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  2. ^ "Bus Stop Classics 1974-1976 Mazda Parkway". Curbside Classic. Retrieved 30 August 2020. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  3. ^ "Driving in Japan". Retrieved 22 February 2017. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)