Japanese rarity! Isuzu 117 Coupe. No, it's not a Fiat Dino
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2024
- With styling by Giugiaro, a lusty twin-cam 2-litre engine and a neat five-speed gearbox, this Isuzu is certainly quite the Trooper! I decided I wanted a Piazza the action as just the looks gave me the Bighorn. What a Wizard! #Rare #JDM #Japanese
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As soon as I saw this, I thought it was a throwback to your Aus/NZ trip. So imagine my surprise when I saw it has UK plates.
I thought exactly the same.
JDM... didn't have them in Australia.
Thank you for introducing 117 Coupe to the UK! And don’t forget to google ‘117 coupe handmade’, the first model in 1968 whose beauty is beyond description.
I have a 1978 model. Only about 11 in Australia. Great car the drive really well. I was surprised how well the recirculating steering works.
Sounds like best of both world early 60's styling with more modern engine, fuel injected...
Now that's a rarity. What a beauty! Great Japanese/Italian collaboration.
Lovely review on a car I never knew existed.
Another missed opportunity for GM.
This has to be one of the most amazing concepts ever; A car that looks just as stunning as a Fiat Dino, but being Japanese, actually functions as a car too. Awesome. And I want one. Really quite badly.
Got to love a thin pillar,back in the days when if you rolled,you ducked.
From the front there is a hint of Peugeot 504 coupé.
Your location looks rather like the Henllan Bridge POW camp.
From the side, I see a similarity with the first gen Mazda Capella.
Also rather like a Glas 1700GT.
504 Coupe was my first thought but then the front of the Fiat 130 Coupe popped into my head. Either way it's a gorgeous car.
I was thinking that, and whilst the car isn't Italians, the Henllan camp was for Italian POWs. many of whom worked on local farms.
Ah! Always liked this car, but never seen one in such detail - many thanks "the owner" and Ian for showing us. From an interesting period - when in 1967 Toyota had come out with the lovely 2000GT, too. Great video. Cheers.
Spectacularly good looking car, and extremely rare in Aus 🔥
Edit: just realised this isn’t in Aus
Hello! As I was watching this video, I was responding to comments on my mobile. The "stainless steel exhaust" among them ;-)
WasabiCars small world! 😅
WasabiCars deadset though, WasabiCars and Hubnut have my oddball car needs covered 👍
For the first few minutes I thought it was in Aus too!
Old West Wales not New South Wales...
What great looking car, amazed it came out in 68. And I've never heard of or seen one before. Thanks.
That is utterly beautiful- never ever seen one before. They did sell the Piaza in the 80s which was beautiful. Great and fascinating road test!
Hints of a Triumph Stag from the front?. Another amazing piece of car history Sir 👍 Tam.
Somewhat, the Stag 🦌 has circular headlamps.
Happy days a car I haven't seen before, that's a rare occasion for me, and a truly beautiful thing, just as a side note I actually owed this cars replacement a Isuzu piazza turbo, which was already rotten by the time I owned it in the mid nineties, ,yes great stuff ian keep them coming.
The Isuzu puns in the description are amazing!!
I love these cars even though I've never seen one in the flesh. Stunning Italian styling and Japanese quality, what's not to like?
I owned one in Japan while in the Navy, we called it the ichi ichi nana
The styling reminds me of the first gen Mazda Capella
My old cavalier had a 1.7 isuzu engine and I think it was one of the best engines I've come across, nice to see one again cheers ian for another cool video, at first I thought it was a video from when you were in oz, quite surprised it was over here.
Absolutley Brilliant Video Ian.! A Very Pretty Looking Coupe. I Remember The Isuzu Pizza Turbo, As I Had Sales Brochures On That, But Don't Remember This Gorgeous Isuzu.! Shame On Me.! Your Test As Always Informative And Throughly Interesting My Friend.! You Are In My Book, A Vital Follow.! No Matter What Your Testing.! Thanks Again!
Things that I love about this car: VERY thin roof pillars, the chrome strips as decoration over the top of the windows, opening vent windows in the doors, rear side windows that are hinged/openable.
BTW, 3 different military deployments to Japan to 3 different regions of the country in the 80s and while I saw a few Florians (sedans AND wagons) never saw any of these or other "sporty" Isuzus.
I live in Japan and had been admiring a car in a nearby repair shop. Just stopped and asked the mechanic about it and it was this! very cool. i'd been sure it was a european car and he was surprised that I noticed that and told me about it being designed by Giugiaro. Love it.
Talking of Italian styling it looks like you filmed it at the old WW2 Italian prisoner of war camp near where my mum lives :)
That is beautiful !!!!
Reminds me of the Fiat 130 Coupe
Terrific stuff Ian. Overall shape/styling is giving me Mazda Capella vibes. Also, funny you mention the Toyota jack in the boot, there appears to be quite a bit of Toyota parts bin raiding going on here - the noisy clock is very familiar from my parents 1972 Toyota Corona, as is the headlight switch and the overall dash shape (albeit with different instrument/controls layout).
I’m getting nostalgia flash backs to my first car, a Datsun Sunny Coupe, B11 1984
Loving that rear wiper! 🥰
17 minutes 14 seconds earlier - Never Heard Of It. Now - I Want One. 135bhp? More power than my MX5 too!
That'll be SAE i should think...
At some angles it looks like a Mazda RX-2 and also seems to share instrument knobs from Mazdas and Subarus of the early 1970s
Great find. A lovely Isuzu so it is. Who remembers the Aska and the Gemini?
Love your passion Ian!
That's a handsome coupé! Ian, I couldn't help but notice you said, "fender mirror", what the?!
Ian, I can only guess it is a UK vs. USA thing that has kept you from hitting the magic 100K subscribers mark. Excellent video as always on a truly obscure but beautiful car. I recently found out about the Florian on a recent Curbside Classics post. Well done, mate! Thank you as always. I love your enthusiasm and look forward to every new Hub Nut drive. A real treat to watch. Cheers!
What a beautiful motor. I've never ever heard of it but my word, wow! Excellent video too Ian, as always 🙂👍👍
Watched this today on my tachograph break 🚛🚚 today very rare nice car 🤓👍 one for the hubnut fleet 🤓👍 happy hubnut whilst driving 🚗
Woha! Thats cool looking! Isuzu makes some great stuff... pretty rare to see at least in Europe!
Wow what a great car. I had a 2.0 S Capri back in the day which happened to be the same year of manufacture as the Isuzu. I would have happily ditched the Capri in a flash for one of these, with all its' cool gadgets and aircon! I used to dream about stuff like that. Far better engine than the standard Pinto too. Watching the back catalogue of Hubnut videos has made me become rather fond of Japanese cars of the 60s, 70s and 80s. They seemed to offer so much more kit as standard, instead of paid-for (and mostly expensive) options on many other cars, were far more refined, were more innovative and ahead, and they were reliable.
Nice find seen these on Japanese import sights, the rear panel work has a feel of Giugiaro's Grifo also. I had a biodegradable Panda 45 which I miss to this day.
Ah, yes. I knew the flanks felt familiar somehow. The mighty Grifo.
@@HubNut Just got to your mention of leaf springs, bringing other rather unpleasant memories of oversteer and XZX at 30 mph in a Panda. Nice review thanks. *sites not sights doh!
Nice work giving the Isuzu Florian a mention; it's a bit of a forgotten footnote in the world of classic cars, but it certainly does underpin this stylish coupe.
I drove my Australian-delivered 1969 Isuzu Florian to meet a mate today and he mentioned your Isuzu 117 Coupe video, so I thought I should watch it!
Despite the Florian being sold here in small numbers, the 117 sadly wasn't, although like the UK, a few have snuck in. I've been able to drive a couple, one automatic the same vintage as the yellow one, plus an earlier (round headlight) model with an 1800cc SOHC motor and manual transmission. Both really nice to drive and a damned sight less rolly poley than my Florian sedan!! Great work! Love the fact you own an AU Fairmont, too. 'Straya, Kent!!!
I only became aware of this model when I started playing Gran Turismo on the Playstation. The virtual version of this car is also very good which is just as well because it's probably the closest I'll ever get to driving one.
Thanks Ian, Great video on a great car. A forgotten gem and properly elegant.
I have had the pleasure of being a passenger in one of these a few times. A slightly earlier version with round headlights. Even with the basic 1.8 SOHC it's a fun, cool and surprisingly comfortable place to be, although less so in the back :) Glad that you got to drive one and were able to share your thoughts with us. Best wishes.
Really nice. I know my 70s/80s metal pretty well but this was unknown to me. Love the colour.
Spectacular!! Lusted after one of these from a teen and have a Playart model of one, from when we still had a Woolworths here..It's immaculate.
Nice looking car, very interesting as well.
There must be a lot of lay-bys with "discarded" cameras dotted around! 😁
Very nice. I know Isuzu, but never heard about this model. This dashboard looks amazing. Again a nice video of an interesting exotic car.
First time I've seen one of these Ian. what an awesome looking car. Thanks for sharing
Never heard of one until now! Its a real looker!
Wow, what a pretty car. I thought I knew about lots of oddball cars but never heard of these before. Like lots of other comments, it looks derivative of many other cars - Pug 504 coupe, Mazda Capella, Porsche 911, Datsun 240Z, still a hint of Isuzu Florian about it. It all comes together to create a lovely car. The world needs more yellow cars.
Thanks Ian, another Gem(ini) of a video.
Damn! I had a yellow one. Earlier model, 1800cc SOHC, round headlights, lovely little car.
I've seen only one while in Japan from a bus driving through Fukushima prefecture just after the'quake in 2011 it was of course immaculate while everything around was in desolation. The Isuzu bellett that came before was another Italian inspired 2 door in GT form quite fun to drive!
Good rally car in its day!
When fired up, it made me reminisce an old V8 Barracuda... even though this is a four-pot car. I think it looks amazing, a few touch-ups here-and-there in the inside, and that's it.
Apart from the clutch kit, if there is any left for it, I'd keep swapping the oils religiously (or even zealously).. see if it could double the lifetime :D.
Nice ride.. Travel far, travel safe!
Wow what a cool car!
All right so the front headlights make me think of Renault. The rear side window makes me think of a Stag, the taillights of a Marina and sometimes it makes me think of a Bagheera.
What a lovely car! Amazing find! I absolutely love the interior! The door warning and seatbelts warning in the interior lights make le think of those in an airplane’s cockpit. I really love this car!
A very unique car ,I haven’t seen one of these since the mid 80s . Great video mate 👍
Very nice looking car. Even the old 70s hatchback Escort MkII looked "fast". I miss such cheap and cheerful cars. We are missing a lot these days.
Very good story! The car and the place of presentation are absolutely my cup of tea... I love japanese cars 💛
So who else just did a isuzu search after this video?
Just about too
Me and I've just found out they did a diesel version of it that topped out at 81mph and 60 in 18 seconds, wonder if one survives.
I didn't, though I do enjoy their passenger cars. Lucky me lives in Japan, and sees a few about at events.
Always have flebay open in another tab for "research" while watching a HubNut video.
Yes i did ..trying to tie down that lion dog logo ..appears to be not used outside Japan..looks a bit like that squawking chicken thing on the Toyota Century.
Thanks for this Isuzu 117 vid, Ian! Hope you feature the Piazza one of these days :)
This looks fab!! I remember the Isuzu Piazza in the 1980s. Was very pretty and a great drive. Now they only sell pickups! :-(
And SUV's
I am loving that Speed warning Bell. That's amazing
Fascinating stuff, I also loved your incar camera work on that one, fabulous viewing angle which really gave a feel of what was happening, the Isuzu puns being the icing on the cake !!!
Another unknown gem in car history, and Ian knows where to find them.
Saying classics should be used will make Jay Leno very pleased and on the subject of him, his intimate lockdown videos on his channel which are him only are great, a real car nut and seemly a really nice guy.
Brilliant little coupe, some quite clever features for the time too....
Shades of manta from 3/4 view of rear methinks... Defo fiat /pug coupe front end...
And it took volvo years to put a fasten belts warning up near the mirror (oddly mine DOES look like a planes sign!)
Love the mad wing mounted mirrors, typical Japanese quirk.
And the piazza? Remember them showing it at Earl's Court and my dad wanting one... We ended up with a bluebird! 😋
Strikes a chord with me, what a beautiful vehicle.
Oh, the most favourite Isuzu for me! :D
Holden released a re-badged Piazza, but they didn't sell that many from memory.
Side on, this car looks a little like a cross between a Datsun 240Z and a Porsche 924.
I remember at the time that the price seemed astronomical for what it was.
Thanks for posting this rare car Ian, now you have to find a 1970-71 Honda 1300 coupe 9S and review that rare model as well.
That is a really nice looking little coupe, I like the large arch of bright work coming from the rear pillar and down the A pillar, very different. I knew about this coupe as I built a Tamiya model version that I found on e-bay (my geeky hobby), and loved the look of it. The model I did was a MK1 with a different grille and quad round front lamps. The MK1 is even prettier, if you check out pictures on line.
I didn't know this car existed, love the styling, but by 1980 as you mentioned, its age is really showing.
Oh joy! An Isuzu I never heard of! New knowledge aquired!
Great job Ian. I certainly never knew about this rarity. Nice drive. Nippy motor /get it/ Nippon - Japan / sorry about the bad joke ;-)
I had forgotten these existed so thank you for finding one to test. I only remember the original model with much prettier front styling and 60's interior. I love that period in the 60's when Japanese manufacturers were reaching out to designers and producing such stylish cars. Cheers
Pauline, do you know if they ever were sold in Australia? I don't recall ever seeing one and Redbook does not list it (but does have the Bellett).
I can't remember if I ever saw one in the metal. When I say that I remember the styling, it is probably from magazines at the time like Wheels or Modern Motor. There may have even been one at a motor show or something but I don't recall the later version at all.
Beautiful car - I’m with you, Giugiaro is my favourite car designer too!
I got shooting pains down my left arm when you said it was fuel injected (though I'm assuming it's mechanical or non-digital electronic). Seems insane to me when even Rollers were still on carbs till about 1986.
Nice, odd combination of advanced and archaic. Totally HubNut.
Yep, fuel injection & leaf spring.
It electronic... Flapper type air flow meter probably made under licence from Bosch....
In the States, the earliest F.I. Japanese cars (that I know of) were the 1975 280-Z, and the 1977 Datsun 810 (w/ a fuel-injected, Bosch L-Jetronic 240-z engine). Many of the European imports had gone the F.I. route by then (BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Alfa, Saab...)
@@craigstaggs8597 First thing I noticed when the bonnet was opened was the MAF, which surprised me.
That wiper stalk took me right back to my Isuzu Gemini.
loving the pun-tastic description lol. Shame these are rare because I really want one now after seeing this review. I'd have it in a more eye-popping colour though, a nice metallic for example. A bit of a shame Isuzu are only really known for offroaders & pickups these days. Would love a Piazza though
Love it when you find the rare ones. ;) THANK YOU!
Hi Hubnut. I've never seen one in Australia, but what an attractive car, and also, what a delightfully scruffy location. Did you say 'fender mirror' rather than 'wing mirror'? American language is indeed pervasive. Cheers.
We got the Florian sedan..not the coupe...well not until Holden Piazza that is.
My first thoughts were Rover P6 overtones and Ford Capri Mk2 rear end. Interesting old lady indeed. Thanks Ian.
What a nice looking engine. Great video mate very rare car 👍🏻
What a beaut! I’ll keep an eye out around Emlyn...
It looks nice & in good shape too
superb car! never heard of it or seen one before, imagine turning up at a show in one of these?
what a beautiful car!
isuzu was never very common here in canada in those days and still not a major player here
Good stuff, Ian. I enjoyed that. Great to hear it wind out, and get a couple of favourable remarks.
Come across any in Japan, Wasabi?
Silly question: th-cam.com/video/UbmxC0ajm50/w-d-xo.html
@@steved3702 Actually, have seen dozens. :)
Reminded me of a Izuzu Pickup my brother had (not looks wise obviously) - that had a cracking engine and handled well for what it was.
Just my sort of car, 70s coupe styling, rwd, 2l firm seats, and enough power to be fun, and stay legal. Love it
A beauty in her own right. What a shame I didn't even know this gorgeous car existed.
Brilliant video Ian what a beauty omg 😍 beautiful
I had heard of it HubNut... thankyou Gran Turismo 😉
A few years after designing the Isuzu 117 the design house raised its standards in order to deliver unto the world the wonder known as The Morris Ital. The 117 was produced when the designer was still blessed with the gift of vision.
Such a handsome car. I'd love to see the current suv crazy end and coupes to come back into fashion!
What a lovely car ian..never saw this in Matchbox models...better than an iso grifo!
The handling was bay better than I ever thought it to be.
I never saw one in New Zealand where Isuzu were quite common in the 70s.
Gorgeous front end styling.
Totally unaware this existed - the earliest Isuzu coupe I was aware of is the Piazza
the turn light switch + wiper control seems like Holden Gemini....great
Why have I not seen one of these before? More importantly, why have I not owned one or have one now?? What a delightful car!
New to me, and I love it! I'm seeing a lot of Skoda S110R in the rear design. Thank you for the review :-)