Every automotive scene has its originals — the day ones who’ve seen all of it and done all of it, yet remain humble all the identical. In Ontario, Geoff Mayes is undeniably considered one of those individuals. He’s been an integral and revered a part of the Ontario automotive community for many years.
Geoff wouldn’t self-proclaim his OG status, but he’s at most events, all the time willing to assist out one other enthusiast and has grow to be an irreplicable a part of Vanfest, considered one of Canada’s largest minitruck events.
While he recently picked up an air-cooled Beetle to play with, Geoff will perpetually be tied to minitrucks due to his blue Mazda that has stood the test of time. As a Mazda owner myself, within the early days of this site, Geoff was considered one of the rare few I might see at each minitruck events and Mazda events.
Because of this I’ve been fortunate enough to document a variety of the more moderen versions of this truck. Nonetheless his history with it goes all the way in which back to 1995, after I was still constructing scale models and lusting after nitro rc cars.
Back then, the Mazda was static and paint hues modified from green to copper. Eventually, he settled on blue paint across the time he decided to also put it on air ride.
Because the years went by, Geoff’s modifications grew increasingly more involved. The door handles, badges, and antenna have all been shaved, giving the truck a cleaner, smoother appearance.
Though it looks like a Nineties new-old-stock piece, the hood is definitely a one-off Mayes custom fitted with a Ford Gran Torino scoop Geoff sourced from a pick-and-pull yard.
The front bumper, nonetheless, is a discontinued piece from the Mazdarossa kit. Geoff tracked down the now very hard-to-find part by buying a complete second truck with the kit already installed. That donor truck was too far gone to repair so he took what he needed and parted out the remaining.
Recently, in a move that surprised a lot of us locals, Geoff ditched the bed topper the truck was all the time known for in favour of a more streamlined ARE tonneau cover. Surprisingly, this piece was sourced locally and in remarkable shape.
While doing the switch to the truck’s most up-to-date shade of Nissan B16 blue, the tonneau was painted to match, and the graphics added below the belt line.
Mazda’s selection to equip the B2200 with a 6×5.5 bolt pattern could make wheel selection difficult, but over time, Geoff has managed well. Before the present 18″ Eagle Alloys, he ran polished Nissan Pathfinder wheels, Prymes, and Hammers. The 18s help bridge the gap between ‘old-fashioned’ minitruckin’ and the brand new.
Like the remaining of the truck, the suspension has been refined over time. Torsion bars and lowering blocks worked for some time, and for a transient period, air shocks and a compressor were installed when he needed a bit of more clearance on the fly. As time and technology evolved, he decided to make the switch to a correct air arrange.
For this modification, he was determined to do it right—once. Up front, the truck retains its factory upper and lower control arms, while the rear includes a step notch and a four-link setup paired with a Ford Courier rear end.
Taking the time to put in the air ride system accurately has paid off—Geoff says it’s been incredibly reliable. Other than routine maintenance, he’s never needed to revisit the setup since completing it.
One in all the truck’s most notable features—after its tilt bed, after all—is the Targa roof, a modification not for the faint of heart. Despite taking a next-level amount of commitment, these conversions were, at one point, highly regarded. Those that did them soon discovered that almost all off the shelf conversions fit poorly and had an inclination to leak.
For a correct fix to those issues, Geoff turned to his long-time friend and fellow minitrucker, Tim Atkinson of Atkinson Customs. Tim crafted a brand new removable roof section entirely out of metal, ensuring each durability and ease of use.
Now more like OEM hardtop quality quite than an aftermarket modification, the roof sidesteps the downfalls of the previous design.
Tim also lent his expertise to the truck’s interior. The dash has been refined with the removal of the package tray and wrapped in premium leather, elevating the cabin’s overall feel.
Acura EL bucket seats have replaced the factory Mazda equipment, and these, too, are wrapped in matching leather for a seamless look. Flame-gauge faces function a nostalgic nod to the mid-’90s, complemented by an APC steering wheel from the identical era.
Even after many years with the truck, and several other different looks, Geoff is the primary to confess it isn’t “finished.” As times and trends evolve, he’s never been afraid to make revisions to suit the moment.
One thing that won’t change, nonetheless, is that the truck will all the time carry the ‘Mayes’ name. His daughter, Sam, absolutely loves it, though she’s still just a few years away from driving age. Geoff knows it won’t be long before she starts asking to take it for a cruise.
Geoff’s time within the highlight was long overdue, and I’m glad to have this platform to indicate this OG the respect he deserves.
This Article First Appeared At www.stanceiseverything.com
