The 117 looks familiar to the Mazda RX87 Luce not withstanding the B pillars, same designer perhaps?
Does anybody know who designed the isuzu 117 coupe?

Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the mazda.

Giugiaro designed the 117, when he was working for Ghia.

The JNC Blog keeps on givin:
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/blog/20 ... upermodel/

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Thanks. End of thread

117 is one of the cars I'd love to restore. A round-headlight edition in a nice 60s colour, with auto trans (let's face it, it's not a performance car) so that the missus can drive it.

I wonder what the spares situation is like though? With the Hako at least there are parts available (even if they are halfway around the world in Japan!)

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Engine parts arent too hard to get, i can help ya with that.

If the suspension is the same as the bellett, you can use Mitsubishi scorpian discs/calipers on the front.

Mainly panels that are the worry.

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[F3ARED] 76 Isuzu Gemini Coupe - forged G180z, EFI, 525hp Turbo, 6years and still building...

Daily 78 Isuzu Gemini Sedan, stock G161z, Rodeo EFI, 500hp roller, 157rwkw. Fun

Yeah I would have thought that panels, trim and glass would be the dealbreaker. I'm not even sure what the parts supply is like in Japan...

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I don't think the 117 was based on the Bellett chassis (like the later Piazzas were based on the Geminis). Even those tend to be visually similar, but not always identical (at least for the first generation Piazza). Maybe the 117 was based on the Bellel or Florian chassis, but I know less about those than the 117. If not, it was a from-scratch creation.

The Bellett has a swing axle rear suspension with coil springs on angled trailing arms. The 117 rear suspension is solid beam with leaf springs.

On the front, both have upper and lower trailing arm over a spring and shock, but the Bellett looks to be mounted perpendicular to the frame, and the 117 arms are angled back toward the rear of the vehicle.

JT191 - just going by what was written in the JNC article.

While the control arms might be different, i wouldnt be suprised if the stub axle had the same diam. spindle shaft/shared similarities with the Bellett, making things easier.

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[F3ARED] 76 Isuzu Gemini Coupe - forged G180z, EFI, 525hp Turbo, 6years and still building...

Daily 78 Isuzu Gemini Sedan, stock G161z, Rodeo EFI, 500hp roller, 157rwkw. Fun

I heard Goertz designed it...




I kid, I kid.

They are gorgeous cars. Wish they had sold them in the US.

http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/des/gid117.html

Check

There was an Isuzu tuning house at the Nos2Days show and they had 3 117 Coupes on display. There are even a few lurking around the US, including a parts car I'm sure the owner would let go for near nothing. New JNC Project car?

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http://www.isuzu-sports.com/

The 117 handles like a pig unless modified. Nose heavy. Any part is available in Japan. The above web-site is about five minutes from my daughters house.