Model Guide: Mazda 323 and Protege

[Duncan]

MODELGUIDE
mazda 323 and protege - 1986-1994

Following up on the success of the classic GLC subcompact (built from 1977-1985), the revised and reworked 323 moved Mazda's small cars into a new era of performance and innovation that continues to this day. In addition, Mercury borrowed the proven 323 powertrain and most of its structure for the short-lived first edition of their Tracer subcompact.

During the 1990-1994 generation, Mazda marketed the former 323 sedan as a new line - the Protege. This quickly became one of Mazda's best-selling models - even bettering the popular 626 in some years - and was renewed twice into ever better versions of itself. The final Proteges of 2003 were perhaps the best small cars Mazda has ever built - possibly excepting the new Mazda3, that is.

Overall, four generations of the 323 and Protege were built:

1986-1989 "BF" - refinement of the BD GLC (and Mercury Tracer in 1988-1989)
1990-1994 "BG" - new platform, first Protege, last 323
1995-1998 "BH" - the new "organic" style
1999-2003 "BJ" - modernization and refinement

All will be discussed in detail, in reports arriving soon. Watch this space!

-- Duncan M.

[Duncan]

MAZDA 323 PAINT COLORS

The data in this list was compiled from a website called PaintScratch.com, which sells bottles of touch-up paint and complete paint kits.

To find your paint code, open the driver's door and look on the door jamb for a factory sticker with various information on it - you'll see a two-digit code that corresponds to the colors listed here.

1986-1989 MAZDA 323

The two-tone codes listed for 1988-1989 models should only be found on the 323 GTX (4WD turbo) hatchback, and not on any other model. 323 GT (FWD turbo) sedans were available only in monochrome paint schemes.

1C – Sand Gray Metallic Clearcoat – 1988-1989
1S – Niagara Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1989
2F – Lancaster Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1988-1989
2H – Claret Mica Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
4A – Vogue Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
5B – Seto Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1987
5G – Prestige Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
6L – Graceful Red Mica Clearcoat – 1989
DS – Majolica Blue – 1988
H1 – Sparkling Black Metallic Clearcoat – 1986, 1988
J1 – Connecticut Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1989
K3 – Sunbeam Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1987
K8 – Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1987
NP – Pure Red – 1986-1987
PZ – Brilliant Black Clearcoat – 1989
RH – Sunrise Red – 1988-1989
V4 – Canal Blue – 1986-1987
V8 – Estate Gold Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1989
V9 – Custom Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1987
WU – Dover White – 1986-1987
WY – Nobel White – 1988-1989

DJ – PZ Brilliant Black Clearcoat / 2F Lancaster Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1989
EJ – 1S Niagara Silver Metallic Clearcoat / 2F Lancaster Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1989
LE – K3 Sunbeam Silver Metallic Clearcoat / K8 Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1986
MA – 4A Vogue Silver Metallic Clearcoat / 2F Lancaster Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
MF – RH Sunrise Red / 2F Lancaster Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
MK – WY Nobel White / 2F Lancaster Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
MN – H1 Sparkling Black Metallic Clearcoat / 2F Lancaster Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1988

1990-1994 MAZDA 323

It is not known what the difference between codes PX or PZ for Brilliant Black might be, other than that PZ had previously been listed as a clearcoat color and that PX was not. They may, in actuality, be the same, but this cannot be said with certainty.

1S – Niagara Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1990-1991
5D – Harbor Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1990-1991
6L – Graceful Red Mica Clearcoat – 1990
6N – Current Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1990-1991
6W – Perky Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1992-1994
PX – Brilliant Black – 1991-1994
PZ – Brilliant Black Clearcoat – 1990-1994
SQ – Blaze Red – 1990-1994
UF – Clear White – 1990
Z1 – Tropic Emerald Metallic Clearcoat – 1992-1994

[Duncan]

MERCURY TRACER PAINT COLORS

The data in this list was compiled from a website called PaintScratch.com, which sells bottles of touch-up paint and complete paint kits.

To find your paint code, open the driver's door and look on the door jamb for a factory sticker with various information on it. At the bottom of this label is a line reading "Exterior Paint Colors" - the two-digit code above those words is your paint code.

Note that only 1988-1989 Tracer production is included in this listing, as later (1991-up) models were not entirely Mazda-based.

1988-1989 MERCURY TRACER
(colors are the same for both years)

1C - Black
1Q - Silver Metallic Clearcoat
2E - Light Canyon Red Metallic Clearcoat
2H - Medium Cabernet Red
3C - Light Blue Metallic Clearcoat
3D - Marine Blue Metallic Clearcoat
66 - Mimosa
6U - Antique Gold Metallic Clearcoat
82 - Light Beige
9L - Oxford White

[Duncan]

MAZDA PROTEGE PAINT COLORS

This info comes from a site called PaintScratch.com, sellers of touch-up kits and paint packages that match original factory colors. All I've done is compiled the paint codes for each year - it's up to you to check your car and see what matches.

You can find your color by simply opening up your driver door and, on the info sticker on the door jamb, looking for a two- or three-digit paint code.

1990-1994 MAZDA PROTÉGÉ

During 1994, Mazda began switching its paint codes from two to three digits – Sparkle Green Metallic Clearcoat (11R) was the first of these in the Protégé line.

1S – Niagara Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1990-1991
11R – Sparkle Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
5D – Harbor Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1990-1991
5G – Prestige Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1991-1994
6C – Mighty Gray Metallic Clearcoat – 1992-1994
6L – Graceful Red Mica Clearcoat – 1990-1993
6M – Elegant Beige Metallic Clearcoat – 1992-1994
6N – Current Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1990-1991
6R – Bordeaux Mica Clearcoat – 1992-1994
6Y – Misty Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1993-
J4 – Passion Rose Mica Clearcoat – 1992-1994
PT – Chaste White – 1994
PX – Brilliant Black – 1991-1994
PZ – Brilliant Black Clearcoat – 1990-1994
SQ – Blaze Red – 1990-1994
SU – Classic Red – 1991-1994
UF – Clear White – 1990-1994
Z1 – Tropic Emerald Metallic Clearcoat – 1992-1994

1995-1998 MAZDA PROTÉGÉ

As with many Mazda cars, it’s unknown why there are two codes (PX and PZ) for Brilliant Black. Further research is still required.

11L – Crimson Metallic Clearcoat – 1996, 1998
11N – Everglades Metallic Clearcoat – 1996-1998
11P – Blue Violet Metallic Clearcoat – 1996-
11R – Sparkle Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1995-1998
12H – Oriental Red Mica Clearcoat – 1997-1998
12M – Moonlight Gray Metallic Clearcoat – 1997-1998
12L – Solomon Blue Mica Clearcoat – 1995
12R – Aquarius Blue Mica Clearcoat – 1997-1998
15X – Mid Green Mica Clearcoat – 1998
3L – Silver Stone Metallic Clearcoat – 1998
4F – Champagne Silver Mica Clearcoat – 1995-1998
5G – Prestige Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1995
6M – Elegant Beige Metallic Clearcoat – 1995
6R – Bordeaux Mica Clearcoat – 1995
J4 – Passion Rose Mica Clearcoat – 1995
PT – Chaste White – 1995-1998
PX – Brilliant Black – 1995, 1997
PZ – Brilliant Black Clearcoat – 1995, 1997-1998
SQ – Blaze Red – 1995
SU – Classic Red – 1995-1996
VQ – Nobel Green Mica Clearcoat – 1995

1999-2003 MAZDA PROTÉGÉ

During this period, Classic Red changed its code number from SU to A3E (because of a switch to clearcoat formula); for clarity, both codes will be listed here along with the years in which each code was used.

Also, the references to “early” or “late” 2003 models refer to the limited-production Mazdaspeed Protégé, which changed its available color schemes during the model year.

12K – Twilight Blue Mica Clearcoat – 1999-
12M – Moonlight Gray Metallic Clearcoat – 1999-2001
12R – Aquarius Blue Mica Clearcoat – 2000-
16W – Black Mica Clearcoat – 1999-2003
18G – Highlight Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 2000-2001
18J – Grace Green Mica Clearcoat – 1999-2003
18U – Aroma Red Mica Clearcoat – 1999-
20P – Innocent Blue Mica Metallic Clearcoat – 2000-
22A – Supreme Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 2000-2003
22K – Passion Red Mica Metallic Clearcoat – 2002-2003
22V – Sunlight Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 2002-2003
23F – New Sandalwood Metallic Clearcoat – 2002-2003
23G – New Light Green Mica Clearcoat – 2002-2003
24A – Starry Blue Mica Clearcoat – 2001, early 2003
24E – New Sand Metallic Clearcoat – 2003
25F – Garnet Red Mica Metallic Clearcoat – 2003
25G – Titanium Gray Metallic Clearcoat – late 2003
25T – Spicy Orange Mica Metallic Tricoat – late 2003
4F – Champagne Silver Mica Clearcoat – 1999-2002
A3D – Pure White – 2002-2003
A3E – Classic Red Clearcoat – 2001-2003
HZ – Sunburst Yellow – 2002-2003
PT – Chaste White – 1999-2001
SU – Classic Red – 1999-2000