Isuzu 117 quietly steals spotlight at Tokyo Auto Salon

The Tokyo Auto Salon is full of wild sights, but one car that stood out from the noise was a wonderfully understated Isuzu 117 Coupé. The yellow classic was displayed at the Dunlop Japan booth showing off new Synchro Weather tires. Turns out, the car is owned by Japanese model and artist Maya Michiki.

Originally penned by Giugiaro of ItalDesign and introduced in 1968, the original Isuzu 117s were each hand-built. Michiki’s is a later model with square headlights, after Isuzu had converted to mass production. Michiki’s car is a 1978 XT-L model and originally an off-white, but it was wrapped in yellow to match Dunlop Japan’s brand color.

Normally it’s fitted with steelies, but for the purposes of highlighting Dunlop’s wares it wore 15-inch Work Equip 03s and 175/55 R15 Synchro Weather tires. Manufactured by Sumitomo, they feature the company’s Active Tread Technology, which are said to soften in wet or cold conditions for more grip, and become firmer in dry and warm conditions like summer.

In an interview with Brutus, Michiki says that she’s always loved cars and motorcycles, a hobby her father also enjoyed. Before buying the 117 in 2021, she rode a Kawasaki W800. “‘I like this 117 Coupé because it was designed by Giugiaro yet has the angular refinement of a Japanese car,” she said.

She drives the nearly 50-year-old classic around Tokyo, which is a feat in itself, but also goes on long drives to go camping or bodyboarding at the beach. “I take good care of it, but I’m not necessarily driving it gently,” she told the fashion magazine. As for why she picked a vintage car, Michiki explained, “I test drove a new car, but the feeling of driving a very quiet box was a little unsatisfying for me. I still want the thrill of the engine rumbling.”