I’m a huge fan of the mid-1960s Isuzu models, especially the Bellel diesel, the first to use diesel engines in a Japanese passenger car. This 1971 Isuzu 117 Coupe has a couple of significant firsts and it can be found on eBay with a current bid price of over $6,000 with four days left on the auction and there is no reserve. It’s located in Long Beach, California.
The 117 Coupe is a graceful design, having been penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the famous Italian designer who gave us the gorgeous Fiat Dino and even the DeLorean DMC-12. The Isuzu 117 was never sold in the US, as you can tell from the right-hand side steering wheel, but a lot of them made it into the country by importers and people in the service who brought them back when they returned home. The seller says that this one is “amazingly rust free”, it doesn’t get much better than that for me.
These were one of the first – or the first, depending on who you talk to – Japanese cars styled by an Italian designer. They were also one of the first Japanese cars to have a double-overhead cam (DOHC) engine and the first sports car in the world to have a diesel engine. I have never seen one in person but I’ve seen several come up for sale in the US over the last few years. Isuzu made almost 90,000 of them between 1968 and 1981.
This won’t be a project for the faint of heart or faint of checkbook. A full repaint is in order as this was originally a silver car and then it was painted orange and is now flat black. These cars can command some decent money but a full engine-out repaint is never inexpensive. There are a few boxes of spare parts but that dash won’t be easy to find.
This is, I believe, Isuzu’s G180Z carbureted 1.9L SOHC inline-four. Several engines were available including a fuel-injected DOHC and a 2.2L diesel. Some websites have a 1.9L engine listed but most only have the 1.8L, 2.0L, and 2.2L diesel listed. I believe that this is a less-expensive model of the 117 known as the 1800N. The owner says that it was “Running driving when parked 5 years ago. I redid brakes and fuel system 5 years ago. Will turn over.” They have it listed as a “1900”, which I believe was known as a 1.8L or 1,871cc. It’s a little confusing to look at the specs for all of the engines available in this car, some call it a 1.8L and some call it a 1.9L. One of you may know which engine this is for certain. With all of that aside, given the rarity of this model, is it worth spending the money to restore this 117 Coupe?
Isuzu built some fascinating cars back in the 1960s. The Bellett was popular in Australasia and featured in a number of motorsports events.
FYI, Scotty, the Hino Contessa predates the 117 with regards to Italian styling. In the Contessa’s case, it was Michelotti…
The other Japanese car that I can think of that was Italian designed that predates the 117 was the SU Series Mazda Luce, which first hit the market in 1966. Only reason that I know that is because I used to own one.
An interesting side story on these is that if what I have read is right, on the early models of the 117 (and this should qualify) the timber on the dashboard is actually Camphor Laurel. This would probably be the only model car ever to feature that.
Yup, Giugiaro penned the Luce, Adam. Nice cars, methinks…
Bertone, no Giugiaro.
Excellent, thanks for the info, BB and Adam. One of the reasons I do that is to draw out other “firsts”. If I said that I was the first person in my family to jump over a snake someone would mention a cousin who jumped over a snake in Norway in 1914.
A few websites referred to the 117 as being the first but knowing better I added “one of the first” – I learned my lesson the hard way on stating absolutes. Thanks for the additional info, guys! Now, about finding me that perfect diesel Bellel..
Hi Beatnik. We also had the Bellett in what was then Southern Rhodesia and it was a Ford Cortina eater. Great little car.
A very sweet car to restore👍
A tip for the writer of the story and buyer of the car!
www.
justdashes.com
You send the original as many are rare and low produced and they repair and refurbish with the apply of all new covering and send back !
It’s reasonable considering the alternative of ugly dashes or scouring the planet to get one !
Thanks for the great tip, classic Steel! That’s a keeper.
I can’t recall ever seeing this car before. My loss. It’s as elegant as the Alfa featured a few days ago.
As I am fond of saying, “The Chinese invented noodles, but the Italians invented Pasta. The Germans invented the automobile, but the Italians invented Ferraris.”
The Japanese had the good taste to hire an Italian to style this car – can’t fault them at all for that. You don’t have to be Italian to be a great designer, but it sure helps. Great find.
Hi Beatnik. We also had the Bellett in what was then Southern Rhodesia and it was a Ford Cortina eater. Great little car.
English Cosmic wheels!!!! Anybody know where I can find a set of five bolt Sixties Chevy pattern, 15 X7? Funny, they make new ones for VW Transporters, but can’t find the ones I want.
Very interesting car; if the parts can be found for restoration Then it’s a great buy.
I’m a huge fan of old-school JDM Japanese cars. I’d buy one if I could find one in decent condition.
I bears a strong resemblance to the Fiat Dino Coupe, both designed by Giugiaro at about the same time.
https://static.carthrottle.com/workspace/uploads/posts/2015/12/ad28dabfbd45d531366579f3d0c111c5.png
Bruh!!! I knew it reminds me of something! I thought Manta A but youre absolutely correct
Both are lovely looking cars. I can see the resemblance. I don’t know why the Isuzu 117 was never offered in the USA. While Fiat produced good looking cars, I would think that the Isuzu would’ve been more reliable than the Fiat.
WOW!
I have never seen one of these before now. I almost scored a Fiat Dino once and have been bummed ever since. Now I have a different car to lust after. It is beautiful!.
I’d seen pictures of the Isuzu 117, but I’d never seen one in person.
Nice Isuzu. I’ve seen photos, but I have never seen one in person. As for the first Japanese car to be designed by Italians, I submit the 1964? Datsun 411 which I believe was designed by Pininfarina, although that was not publicized at the time.
I also like the silver Ghia-bodied Fiat parked behind the Isuzu. Years ago I found one of these in a semi-decrepit state in Gaffney, South Carolina. I was interested in buying it until I realized it had a Pinto engine/drivetrain (probably much more reliable than the original Fiat engine).
Assuming parts are still available for such a car, I’m sure restoration might be possible, or possibly restomod.