• Recent Restoration

• Great all-round condition

• Recent full service and cambelt
• More modern Mazda BT-50 load bed

Mazda has been producing hard working vehicles since the '60s and this 1986 B2200 pickup, with its 5-speed manual gearbox and plucky 2.2 litre diesel engine is a great example of their craft and a relatively rare find these days. Most have been battered into oblivion, care of the rigors that come from being a working commercial vehicle. Not this one, though. This one has been cherished, restored and improved. 

The B Series Mazda pickups were built to last and be worked hard, capable of handling the toughest of tasks whilst not forgetting the needs and the comfort of the driver and passenger. And Mazda got it right, as the B Series enjoys a strong following today. There is a lot of love for these classic commercial vehicles, especially when they're in such wonderful condition. 

The original owner used this B2200 for 70,000 miles and around 12 years before dry-storing it until only a few years ago, when it was completely restored and recommissioned. But don't think it was pulled out from storage, dusted off and given a service. Oh no, this pickup when through a lot more than that. Such is the owner's fondness for this vehicle, he wanted to do right by it. As such, it's been given a complete overhaul including new paint along with a completely new load bed. 

It is in very sound and solid condition both above and underneath, looking sharp and ready for action with its bright paintwork, refurbished wheels, new tyres and a fresh MOT (August 2022). It may well have once been a 'working' vehicle, but now it's transcended that is well and truly show ready. This is not one to miss out on. 

The V5 shows one previous keeper and the MOT runs to August 2022. There are two sets of keys, a spare wheel and jack, and an original sales brochure, owner’s handbook and service book. These original print booklets are getting increasingly hard to find, and as such are a welcome little addition.

If you want a functional interior, there are few better examples than this. It's a rugged cabin that was clearly built to last. And last is has, as all the plastics are in excellent order. A sea of delightfully period brown, the dash is free from any damage or cracks, the steering wheel is in excellent condition, as is the manual transmission shifter. There is a period radio fitted, too. The dash binnacle is bright and sharp, with no damage or dirt ingress - often an issue on commercial vehicles, but not here. 

The cab is lined in brown vinyl, and this all appears to be in good order. Again, it's rugged and built to last. The door cards are, again, brown vinyl and are both in wonderful condition. No major damage, no evidence of neglect. Al the door furniture is present and functional, too, including the 'keep fit' window winders! 

Finally, we have the bench. This from a different vehicle, and as such is finish in black leather. It's a welcome break within the sea of period brown. It's also supremely comfortable. A little bit of luxury for you, if you will. 

As you can see, this Mazda presents very well indeed. If you're looking at it and trying to figure out what makes it stand out, it's the bed. The original load bed is long gone, and has instead been replaced with a circa 2006 Mazda BT-50 bed. It's a nice addition, and gives the Mazda a unique look. Plus, you get the added bonus of more modern, brighter, more visible rear lights. The bed itself is in excellent condition, having clearly been spared any heavy lifting in the past.

The light coffee colour is excellent, and lifts the truck considerably. The paint is generally very good condition, though there is a the odd mark here and there. Nothing of consequence though. We would encourage you to have a look through the images. The wheels and tyres are good, having been also been repainted, this time in a fetching graphite metallic colour.

The car has just recently been fully serviced, changing oil, plugs, filters and fluids, together with a new timing belt, and is reported to start and run nicely every time. Looking under the bonnet, we're greeted with a clean, tidy engine bay that presents very well indeed. No obvious leaks, nothing seems to be missing or, as can often be the case with commercial vehicles, improvised. It's all original, and serves to show just who well this Mazda has been looked after.

We're told by the owner that it pulls well, there are no worrying noises nor any leaks. It's obviously not a performance car, but it can mis with modern traffic with ease. The cooling system looks to be in good order, too. All the fluids are fresh and all the lines within the engine bay look to be in good order. This Mazda has many, many miles left in it, that's for sure.

It's a bit of fun, isn't it? A nice, cared for old pickup that still cuts a dash. Restored and in rude mechanical health, this little pickup could be a wonderful runabout, it could be an excellent shop truck, or maybe you could use it to promote your business? It's ready to show off, it's a rarity on today's roads, so will always grab people's attention and thanks to bulletproof mechanicals, it will never let you down. Cars like this, by which we mean cars that don't traditionally survive past their working life, should be enjoyed and celebrated. Especially when they're in the kind of condition as seen here. Definitely not one you want to miss.