Model Guide: Mazda B-Series

[Duncan]

mazda b-series - 1970-2004

Though often overlooked by most automotive fans, the B-series pickup has been a rock-solid staple of the North American Mazda line ever since the very beginning. The B was so good during the 1970s that Ford, needing a small truck to balance out its line, joined up with Mazda just to get their hands on it (that model became known as the Courier). Mazda continued its tradition of hauling excellence all the way through 1993, after which they turned to their American partner for a version of the (then) most advanced pickup on the market. And for the last 10 years, the relationship has continued successfully to the benefit of Mazda fans everywhere.

The B-series has consisted of four generations so far:

1970-1976 - the original (plus Ford Courier from 1972)
1977-1985 - the classic (plus Ford Courier through 1982)
1986-1993 "UF" - the best-known
1994-2004 "R1" - the Ford edition

All will be discussed in detail, in reports arriving soon. Note, however, that this report does not cover any other Ford pickups beyond the Courier (as that was almost entirely a Mazda design). Watch this space!

-- Duncan M.

[Duncan]

MAZDA B-SERIES 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.

1972-1976 MAZDA B-SERIES

Color codes for older Mazda pickups are not currently available. Check this space for future updates as they arrive.

1977-1984 MAZDA B-SERIES

This listing includes known color codes for model years 1980-1984; older model years are not yet known. Check this space for future updates as they arrive.

AY – Impulse Blue – 1980
D6 – Concord Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1980
DB – Hard Blue – 1982
DC – Nile Blue – 1984
DD – Baikal Blue – 1982
DP – Sydney Blue – 1984
E6 – Beat Black Metallic Clearcoat – 1980
GS – Corby Blue – 1984
K3 – Sunbeam Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1983-1984
K8 – Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1980-1984
NC – Maroon Brown – 1981-1982
NK – Ross Brown – 1982
P5 – Sophia Red Metallic Clearcoat – 1984
R3 – Renaissance Red Metallic Clearcoat – 1980
RH – Sunrise Red – 1981-1982, 1984
RT – Cyclone Red – 1980
SA – Sunset Wine Clearcoat – 1984
SD – Santos Red – 1984
TC – Orient Yellow – 1984
U2 – Star Dust Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1981-1982
U9 – Seaside Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1982, 1984
VE – Gleam Ivory – 1981-1982
VG – Light Beige – 1984
WN – Aurora White – 1980-1982
WT – Formula White – 1984
Y8 – Bronze Brown Metallic Clearcoat – 1981-1983
Y9 – Red Copper Metallic – 1980
YW – Space Yellow – 1980-1982

LB – K3 Sunbeam Silver Metallic / K8 Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1984
LF – P5 Sophia Red Metallic Clearcoat / K8 Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1984
LG – WT Formula White / SA Sunset Wine Clearcoat – 1984
LK – RH Sunrise Red / SA Sunset Wine Clearcoat – 1984
QK – K3 Sunbeam Silver Metallic / K8 Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1984
QZ – U9 Seaside Blue Metallic Clearcoat / K8 Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1984

1986-1993 MAZDA B-SERIES

“Early” or “late” designations are given in regards to the 1986 model year, since the 1986 B-series was an early 1986 model. Hence, “early” models are those built from spring to fall of 1985, while “late” models are those built during the regular 1986 model year.

Also, it was during this period that Mazda began giving certain paint colors more than one code – the reason for this practice is unknown. All known codes are listed herein, with their years of use indicated separately.

1C – Sand Gray Metallic Clearcoat – 1990-1993
1E – Bayside Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1988-1991
1X – Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1991-1993
3A – Royal Maroon Metallic Clearcoat – late 1986
3G – Shadow Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1989
6L – Graceful Red Pearl Clearcoat – 1991-1993
A6 – Dark Lapis Metallic Clearcoat – 1993
DS – Majolica Blue – 1988
DV – Baja Blue – 1990-1991
EP – Bright Red – 1991-1993
G4 – Medium Seafoam Metallic Clearcoat – 1993
GS – Corby Blue – early 1986
GT – Black – 1991-1993
H1 – Sparkling Black Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1988
J5 – Arctic Silver Metallic Clearcoat – late 1986
K – Dark Lapis Metallic Clearcoat – 1993
K3 – Sunbeam Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1989
K8 – Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1988
L3 – Ondo Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1987
NC – Medium Seafoam Metallic Clearcoat – 1993
P5 – Sophia Red Metallic Clearcoat – 1986
PX – Brilliant Black Clearcoat – 1991-1993
PZ – Brilliant Black Clearcoat – 1989-1993
Q1 – California Brown Metallic Clearcoat – early 1986, 1987
RH – Sunrise Red – early 1986, 1988-1991
S6 – Advan Silver Metallic Clearcoat – early 1986
S7 – Sound Silver Metallic Clearcoat – early 1986
SA – Sunset Wine Clearcoat – 1986-1988
SQ – Blaze Red – 1992-1993
TH – Medium Seafoam Metallic Clearcoat – 1993
U8 – Caspian Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1988-1989
UB – Oxford White – 1991-1993
UD – Bright Red – 1991-1993
V7 – Mistral Gold Metallic Clearcoat – early 1986, 1987
V8 – Estate Gold Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
V9 – Custom Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1987
VG – Light Beige – 1987-1989
WT – Formula White – early 1986
WU – Dover White – 1986-1989
WY – Nobel White – 1990-1993
YC – Black – 1991-1993
YN – Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1991-1993
YO – Oxford White – 1991-1993
Z1 – Tropic Emerald Metallic Clearcoat – 1992-1993

JA – P5 Sophia Red Metallic Clearcoat / K3 Sunbeam Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1986
JB – H1 Sparkling Black Metallic Clearcoat / K3 Sunbeam Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1988
JZ – K3 Sunbeam Silver Metallic Clearcoat / U8 Caspian Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1989
KS – 1E Bayside Blue Metallic Clearcoat / U8 Caspian Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
LY – L3 Ondo Blue Metallic Clearcoat / K8 Tornado Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1986-1987
LZ – WU Dover White / SA Sunset Wine Clearcoat – 1986-1988
MH – H1 Sparkling Black Metallic Clearcoat / K3 Sunbeam Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1988
MU – SA Sunset Wine Clearcoat / WU Dover White – 1988

1994-1997 MAZDA B-SERIES

During this period, Mazda began switching from two-digit to three-digit paint codes. However, the fact that Mazda trucks were (and are) built in Ford plants means that each color usually carries both a Ford two-letter code and a Mazda three-digit code – all known codes are listed herein.

1X – Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1994-1996
14J – Bright Sapphire Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
14K – Black Ebony Clearcoat – 1997
14L – White Clearcoat – 1997
17F – Light Prairie Tan Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
17G – Toreador Red Pearl Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
17H – Medium Graphite Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
17J – Dark Tourmaline Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
2U – Medium Opal Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
A6 – Dark Lapis Metallic Clearcoat – 1994-1996
BA – Light Prairie Tan Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
DC – Medium Mocha Clearcoat – 1994
DK – Pumice Metallic Clearcoat – 1996
E4 – Vermillion Clearcoat – 1996
EG – Electric Currant Red Metallic Clearcoat – 1995-1996
EP – Bright Red – 1994-1995, 1997
FL – Toreador Red Pearl Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
G4 – Medium Seafoam Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
GT – Black – 1994-1995
JA – Bright Sapphire Metallic Clearcoat – 1995-1997
K – Dark Lapis Metallic Clearcoat – 1994-1995
KE – Lapis Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
KN – Dark Lapis Metallic Clearcoat – 1996
NA – Dark Tourmaline Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
NC – Maroon Brown – 1994
NC – Medium Seafoam Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
PX – Brilliant Black – 1994-1995
PZ – Brilliant Black – 1994-1995
RD – Teal Metallic Clearcoat – 1995-1996
SQ – Blaze Red – 1994-1995
TH – Medium Seafoam Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
TR – Medium Graphite Metallic Clearcoat – 1997
TT – Medium Mocha Clearcoat – 1994
TU – Lapis Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
UA – Black Ebony Clearcoat – 1995, 1997
UA – Cameo White – 1996
UB – Oxford White – 1994
UD – Bright Red – 1994-1995, 1997
WC – Medium Opal Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
YC – Black – 1994-1995
YN – Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1994-1996
YO – Oxford White – 1994
YZ – White Clearcoat – 1995-1997
Z1 – Tropic Emerald Metallic Clearcoat – 1994

HE – 2U or WC Medium Opal Metallic Clearcoat / 1X or YN Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1994
PC – NC Maroon Brown / 1X or YN Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 1994

1998-2005 MAZDA B-SERIES

As before, both the three-digit Mazda and two-letter Ford color codes are provided here.

14A – Toreador Red Pearl Metallic Clearcoat – 2002-2005
14J – Bright Sapphire Metallic Clearcoat – 1998, 2000
14K – Black Ebony Clearcoat – 1998-2001, 2004-2005
14L – White Clearcoat – 1998-2001
14X – Aztec Gold Metallic Clearcoat – 2000
17F – Light Prairie Tan Metallic Clearcoat – 1998
17G – Toreador Red Pearl Metallic Clearcoat – 1999-2005
17H – Medium Graphite Metallic Clearcoat – 1998, 2000
17J – Dark Tourmaline Metallic Clearcoat – 1998, 2000
19G – Medium Platinum Metallic Clearcoat – 1998-2000
19H – Bright Atlantic Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1998-1999
19J – Medium Willow Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1998-2000
19K – Deep Jewel Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1998
19W – Amazon Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1999-2001
19X – Chestnut Metallic Clearcoat – 2000-2001, 2003
21B – Harvest Gold Metallic Clearcoat – 1999-2003
21F – Dark Teal Metallic Clearcoat – 2004-2005
21H – Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 2004-2005
22T – Canyon Copper Metallic Clearcoat – 2000
23V – Silver Frost Metallic Clearcoat – 2001
23V – Silver Frost Pearl Clearcoat – 2002-2003
23W – Deep Wedgewood Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 2001-2003
23X – Medium Melina Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 2001-2003
25J – Dark Green Satin Metallic Clearcoat – 2005
25V – Sonic Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 2003-2005
25X – Light Tundra Metallic Clearcoat – 2003-2004
26B – Moonlight Gray Metallic Clearcoat – 2005
26C – Estate Green Metallic Clearcoat – 2002-2003
27A – Velocity Red Mica Tricoat – 2004
28E – Blazing Copper Pearl Clearcoat – 2004-2005
A2X – Ebony Black Clearcoat – 2002-2005
A4R – Ebony Black Clearcoat – 2004-2005
AQ – Arizona Beige Metallic Clearcoat – 2003-2005
AZ – Aztec Gold Metallic Clearcoat – 1999-2000
B2 – Harvest Gold Metallic Clearcoat – 1999-2003
B4 – Chestnut Metallic Clearcoat – 2000-2001, 2003
B6 – Canyon Copper Metallic Clearcoat – 2000
BA – Light Prairie Tan Metallic Clearcoat – 1998
CX – Moonlight Gray Metallic Clearcoat – 2005
DV – Light Tundra Metallic Clearcoat – 2003-2004
E4 – Bright Red – 1998-2005
FL – Toreador Red Pearl Metallic Clearcoat – 1999-2005
FU – Dark Green Satin Metallic Clearcoat – 2005
GW – Blazing Copper Pearl Clearcoat – 2004-2005
JA – Bright Sapphire Metallic Clearcoat – 1998
K7 – Bright Atlantic Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 1998-1999
K9 – Medium Melina Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 2001-2003
LL – Deep Wedgewood Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 2001-2003
NA – Dark Tourmaline Metallic Clearcoat – 1998, 2000
PA – Deep Jewel Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1998
R1 – Dark Teal Metallic Clearcoat – 2004-2005
RC – Medium Platinum Metallic Clearcoat – 1998-2000
SH – Medium Willow Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1998-2000
SN – Sonic Blue Metallic Clearcoat – 2003-2005
ST – Estate Green Metallic Clearcoat – 2002-2003
SU – Amazon Green Metallic Clearcoat – 1999-2001
TP – Medium Gray Pri Metallic Clearcoat – 2002
TR – Medium Graphite Metallic Clearcoat – 1998, 2000
TS – Silver Frost Pearl Clearcoat – 2002-2003
TU – Silver Frost Metallic Clearcoat – 2001
UA – Black Ebony Clearcoat – 1998-2005
UB – White Clearcoat – 2002-2005
UD – Bright Red – 1998-2005
YN – Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 2004-2005
YN4 – Silver Metallic Clearcoat – 2004
YZ – White Clearcoat – 1998-2005

19L – 19J or SH Medium Willow Green Metallic Clearcoat / 17F or BA Light Prairie Tan Metallic Clearcoat – 1998
19M – 17G or FL Toreador Red Pearl Metallic Clearcoat / 17F or BA Light Prairie Tan Metallic Clearcoat – 1998