Forgotten Legends – Ford Laser TX-3

The year was 1985. The Live Aid concert captivated the hearts and minds of the world whilst bringing light to the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia. The wreck of the Titanic was found at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, and the first Nintendo was launched.

It was also the year Ford Australia double-down on the success of the KA and KB Laser, model lines that spawned from an equity-partnership with Mazda in 1979. The diminutive and popular nameplate represented the brand's entry to the Hatchback era.

The reworked Mazda 323 hatch was available in 3 and 5 door variants, with a choice of either a 1.3 or 1.5L 4-cylinder engine, across 3 variants, L, GL and the range topping Ghia.

The KC Ford Laser Turbo - a successful test that likely led to the TX-3

One of the last models to come from the KB series was the Laser Turbo, an early test that likely led to the TX-3’s to come. The Ford Laser Turbo strapped a low-boost huffer to either the 3 or 5 door hatch. It stood out too, with bespoke aesthetic treatments including white wheels to match the duco and blue vinyl badging.

It was a point in time where Ford Australia finally surpassed Holden in the sales charts, with both the Laser and Falcon leading in their respective segments. It was no surprise that the KC laser took things to the next level.

The revised range was broad, including pedestrian variants in the form of a sedan and wagon – but the focus here is the Ford Laser TX3.

Much like Toyota Corolla SX and GTI for Toyota, this was Ford’s first proper foray into the world of small performance cars in the Australian market. It represented a distinct departure from the brand’s well respected, large rear-wheel-driven passenger vehicles. The intention was to capture a discerning buyer who was looking for the benefits of size and fuel economy, with the excitement and agility of the smaller chassis.

Sharing only the windscreen, doorhandles and door mirrors with its Mazda Familia/323 stablemate; the more rounded and modern “bubbleback” KC Laser as it came to be known, was a revelation.

The "Bubbleback" KC Laser TX-3

Striking two-tone exterior paintwork featured "Argent" finishing below the centreline of the body. A black rubber rear spoiler was a design hallmark of the era, whilst polished alloy wheels rounded out a design that quickly gained popularity amongst younger performance car fans.

Inside, the sombre greys of more lowly grades were enhanced with sportier tweed trimmed seats, with contrasting black bolsters and plastics throughout the cabin.

Initially available only as a front wheel drive, the diminutive1.6L B6 4-cylinder fuel-injected single overhead cam managed outputs of 62kw and 120Nm. Laughable by today’s standards, but it’s worth remembering that it only had to drag 890kgs around. Backed by a close ratio 5-speed gearbox and an open diff, it was the warmest version of a Laser Australia had ever seen.

1987 saw a turbocharger strapped to the side of the B6, with power outputs rising and longevity of the front tires going the opposite way. Not long afterward, an all-wheel-drive variant was launched to keep traction at bay, transforming the capability of the little hatchback completely.

It also added the infamous quad headlights up front and a staggering $4000 to the price tag.

Likely reasons include the fact that they were built and shipped from Japan, whereas the front wheel drive was built locally in Ford’s heavily revised Homebush operations.

But it was the KF that really saw the performance bite start to match the bark. Whilst still based on the Mazda Familia/323, the front and rear were redesigned with a move towards more of a coupe shape than the “bubbleback” KC.

The KF Laser TX-3 took things to the next level

It was a handsome design with a striking colour palette, now available strictly as a two door. Contrasting white wheels featured, with low-profile Bridgestone rubber and a colour matched rear spoiler.              

Interior accommodations were slightly enlarged with enough space up-front for larger types, but the rear seats were a child-only affair. Cloth seats with uprated bolstering featured red piping, whilst tunes were facilitated through a “Dolby Enhanced” 4-speaker tape player.

But it was the mechanicals that really set this iteration apart and brought it to parity, if not ahead, of the few competitors it had at the time. Gone was the B6 and in its place was a Mazda sourced BPT 1.8L twin-cam turbocharged 4-cylinder. Outputs shot up to 117kw and 209Nm of torque.

The cabin of the KF Laser was both stylish and functional

Underneath, bespoke “sports tuned” independent suspension worked hand-in-hand with viscous coupling controlling drive between the front and rear axles. The rear axle also featured an LSD, whilst later models even had height adjustable suspension. It allowed up to 30 mm of adjustment and self-levelling at the touch of a button.

At the time Wheels Magazine recorded a standing quarter mile run of 16.2, just under half a second down on Ford’s official numbers, who also noted a 0-100 sprint of 8.5 seconds.

In this iteration, the TX-3 even saw production racing success in the form of a second-place position in the inaugural Bathurst 12-hour in 1991. It was a huge boon for Ford at the time and cemented the TX-3's credibility.

The KF Laser saw success at the inaugural Bathurst 12hr - finishing in 2nd place

Ford’s TX-3 range was also a favourite amongst modifiers, during what those in the know will remember as the "Auto Salon" era. Saturday night Bondi cruises would always reveal at least one example, whether they were the turbo or non-turbocharged models.

Many would have been destroyed at the end of an angle grinder, if not an overzealous driver with more boost that he, or she, could handle.

When one thinks about all-wheel-drive and turbocharging, it’s usually the ram-raider’s favourite WRX that comes to mind. But well before it or its daddy the Liberty RS were conceived, Ford Australia had one, and it was a bloody good thing.

If you have one, hang onto it – because if its not already, the Ford Laser TX-3 is sure to be a modern classic in time.

Some Imagery coutesy of the Ford Heritage Vault