Isuzu 117 Coupe

Isuzu
117 coupe
Production period:	1968-1981
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	; Otto engines : 1.6–2.0 liters ; (74–99 kW) ; Diesel engine : ; 2.2 liters (53 kW)
Length:	4280-4310 mm
Width:	1600 mm
Height:	1310-1320 mm
Wheelbase :	2500 mm
Empty weight :	1055-1185 kg
Previous model	Bellett GT (= Coupé)
successor	Isuzu Piazza

The Isuzu 117 Coupé was a two-door hatchback coupe produced from 1968 to 1981 by the Japanese company Isuzu .

history

117 was the Isuzu code name for a mid-range model range that was to consist of a sedan, station wagon and coupé. The sedan and station wagon came onto the market as the Isuzu Florian , while the coupé retained the development code as a model name. The three models shared the technical basis with a front-mounted motor, rear-wheel drive and recirculating ball steering.

The body shape of the 117 coupe designed for the then Ghia active Giorgetto Giugiaro . The 117 was the first Japanese model with two overhead camshafts, later it was the first with electronic manifold injection and the first sports coupé with a diesel engine .

The 117 Coupé only achieved low annual numbers, but overall, due to its long production period, came to 86,192 units. The successor was the Isuzu Piazza .

The first years

The prototype of the 117 Coupe made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966, and was later shown at the Tokyo Motor Show that year. In 1968 the 117 went into series production and was initially practically handcrafted, with no more than 50 copies per month. The drive was initially provided by a 1.6-liter in- line four-cylinder with two overhead camshafts, which was also available with Bosch injection from 1970 ; the latter variant was called 117 EC (for Electronic Control ).

The standard equipment was very extensive (including leather seats, dashboard with inlays made of Taiwanese camphor wood and headrests), and the 117 was very expensive by Japanese standards . This also applied to the more simply equipped variant 1800N , which appeared in 1971 and was powered by a 1.8 liter with an overhead camshaft and carburetor.

In the first three years in which the 117 Coupé was handcrafted, no more than 2,458 copies were made.

1.6 l DOHC in-line four-cylinder, type G161W
Interior of a handcrafted early copy
Isuzu 117 with facelift 1977

Mass production

As demand for the 117 Coupé increased, Isuzu decided, after General Motors had acquired a stake in the company, in 1971 to start large-scale production. The 1.8 liter was now standard and available in different versions, with or without injection and with one or two overhead camshafts.

Facelift

In 1977 the 117 Coupé received a facelift , the front was kept flatter and equipped with rectangular twin headlights instead of the previous round headlights. In order to reduce manufacturing costs, the interior was now mainly made of plastic. A two-liter four-cylinder made its debut in 1978, and the 117 XD with a diesel engine in 1979 .

Also from 1979 there was the special model Giugiaro Edition of the 117. Production of the 117 lasted until 1981, after which it was replaced by the Isuzu Piazza , also styled by Giugiaro .

Web links

Commons : Isuzu 117 Coupé - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files