The Isuzu 117 Coupé was the first Japanese car designed entirely by an Italian stylist, pairing Japanese engineering excellence with the elegant styling of Giorgetto Giugiaro.
Despite its limited production, the Isuzu 117 Coupé became an influential model and one of the early Japanese classics. In the late 1960s, Isuzu had abandoned their passenger cars in favor of trucks and pickups, but they needed a halo car to attract attention to the company.
To create the Isuzu 117 Coupe, they utilized their existing passenger car rear wheel drive platform and equipped it with 1.6 and later 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines. To complete the design, Isuzu turned to the renowned Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who provided them with an elegant and stylish coupe.
The Isuzu 117 Coupe debuted in 1968 and remained in production until 1981, selling in significant numbers. While it wasn’t particularly fast or nimble, it offered a comfortable and relaxing driving experience, perfect for cruising.
Photo Source: RM Sotheby’s
