---
title: "Rare Mazda Koala Wheels Are Like Ronal Teddy Bears From Down Under"
description: "These obscure and unusual alternatives to the Ronal teddy ere also available as an option on the Mazda 121, but only for a short time."
date: "2023-06-22"
modified: "2023-06-22"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/rare-mazda-koala-wheels-are-like-ronal-teddy-bears-from-down-under"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Wheel"
---

# Rare Mazda Koala Wheels Are Like Ronal Teddy Bears From Down Under

![Intra Koala wheels restored by @oldtimerwheels on Instagram](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/22/Snapinsta.app_285647930_144607128147332_2381203430112340033_n_1080.jpg>)
*\<em\>@oldtimerwheels on Instagram\</em\>*

Which [bear](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/22501/original-shelby-cobra-attacked-by-a-bear-in-alaska-over-fig-newtons>) is best? I don't mean in terms of whatever sitcom spawned that meme, I'm asking you about wheels. Is it the famous Ronal teddy bears, those iconic [novelty wheels](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/44344/carbon-fiber-wheels-for-trucks-and-evs-are-coming-sooner-than-you-think>)—or is it their smooth-brained cousins, the Intra Koalas? Because as I just found out, they were *both* a factory option on the same car, and yet this is the first time I'm hearing about them. And probably, your first time too.

Both the famous teddies and these eucalyptus-munchers were offered for a time on the second-generation Mazda 121—not the [Ford Festiva](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/40658/youtubers-ford-festiva-based-lawn-mower-has-two-engines-two-seats-and-one-purpose>) sold here, but a successor we never got. The teddies seem to be known better in part because of their lengthy production run, with one [Flickr](<https://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_nl/26559139410>) user indicating they were available from [Mazda](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/mazda-news>) as an option from 1991 to 1998. They've since become popular to retrofit on other cars (stance and show cars in particular), and have even been replicated in larger sizes.

![Intra Koala wheels restored by @oldtimerwheels on Instagram](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/22/Snapinsta.app_284694776_755685582091360_5711427190430470348_n_1080.jpg>)

![Intra Koala wheels restored by @oldtimerwheels on Instagram](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/22/Snapinsta.app_285290716_758779468810298_9112487278110264695_n_1080.jpg>)

The koalas meanwhile are said to have been an option for only a year or two, with a [Czech Mazda club](<https://en.mazdaclub.cz/vehicle/mazda-121-db-autozam-revue-1194>) indicating 1993 while [Reddit](<https://old.reddit.com/r/namethatcar/comments/bx4wa1/can_you_guess_the_car_to_these_koalaty_rims_hint/>) and [forum](<https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=389582&page=332>) posters point them being 1994-only. Hence, their relative lack of fame.

Unlike the teddies, these koala wheels were manufactured by Intra, a German company that seems to have gone defunct at some point. They share their 4x100 bolt pattern and 38-millimeter offset with the teddies, but are slightly smaller at 13 inches to the Ronals' 14. This appears to be a reasonably common size for Mazdas and [Hondas](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/honda-news>), so there's a broad range of cars these could fit, if you're into this kind of thing.

https://www.reddit.com/r/NormalCarPorn/comments/lhgkyh/mazda_121revue_with_koala_wheels/

However, the koalas seem to be a particularly rare set of wheels, with one set recently selling on [eBay](<https://www.ebay.ie/itm/INTRA-KOALA-13-4x100-5-5J-Classic-Alloy-Wheels-Original-Very-Rare-SHOW-Wheels-/182163466680>) for over $1,700. There's another currently listed on [Facebook Marketplace](<https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1623205774831516?rid=10224654045801666&ad_id&rt=1&refID=0&refType=0&referral_code=commerce_attachment>), though it may be a scam, as the set depicted was [originally listed in 2021](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CLtNAY3HUjk/>). It's a testament to the rarity of these wheels, and how hard it'll be to find one to go on your... I dunno, Rainforest Cafe-themed, slammed Civic hatch. Of course, if you find something that can fit them *and* that has adiesel, it means you can go *rollin' koala*. (Please tell me you get it. *Please*.)

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)