Tag Archives: isuzu
VIDEO: The hand-built 117 Coupé was easier for the Isuzu Museum to restore than a lowly pickup
The most heralded passenger car from Isuzu’s portfolio of classics is the 117 Coupé.Marketed as a flagship luxury GT, it was very much an image car intended to put Isuzu on the map against the Toyotas and Princes of 1960s … Continue reading
VIDEO: Feast your eyes on 20 years of high-def Tokyo streets
As we approach the long Thanksgiving weekend, here’s a feast of a different sort. Let your eyes consume this incredible, high-definition video of Tokyo during the Showa Era. Spanning a period of almost two decades, the videos show how dramatically … Continue reading
Posted in Video
Tagged bellett, cedric, debonair, isuzu, markII, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota
9 Comments
VIDEO: The Isuzu Rodeo was cheap but cool
If you were a teenager in the late 80s or early 90s, wanting an Isuzu more than anything in the world was not an odd thing. Dealerships were lined with sleek Impulses and colorful Amigos. The coolest kid in my high … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Gemini was Isuzu’s most popular passenger car
Introduced in 1974, the Isuzu Gemini was known by many names around the world. Depending on the country, it was sold as a Chevy, Buick, Opel, Holden, Vauxhall, Daewoo, Saehan, and probably a few more. In Japan, though, it was … Continue reading
Happy Halloween from JNC
Is there anything scarier than a long-neglected project car lurking in its cramped parking spot? It’s as if this Isuzu Hillman Minx found in Kanto is beckoning, “Fix me… Fix me.” Happy Halloween from JNC!
VIDEO: Why the Isuzu museum in Japan has a Chevy in it
Despite its prowess in building large industrial trucks for any type of terrain, Isuzu was never truly able to succeed in the domestic truck and SUV market. They never were able to challenge the like of the Land Cruisers, Patrols … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Isuzu Elf had a cute name but did massive work
The Elf is to Isuzu what the Land Cruiser is to Toyota or the Skyline is to Nissan. At 61 years old it’s the longest running nameplate in Isuzu’s history, and a truck that can be seen in almost every … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Isuzu TX-80 helped build modern Japan
The Isuzu TX-series trucks were a fixture in Japan’s post-war reconstruction. Their rule spanned over three decades, from 1946-79, an era that saw Japan transform from a defeated power to and economic juggernaut. TX-series trucks hauled cargo, moved earth, and … Continue reading
VIDEO: Behold, the Isuzu Sumida bus
Pre-war photos are very difficult to come by, but Isuzu has just released a video comprised of images of the Isuzu Sumida bus from 90 years ago. The Sumida was one of Isuzu’s earliest designs, introduced in 1929. In fact, … Continue reading
Isuzu Plaza museum hosts special Hillman Minx exhibit
Earlier this month Isuzu opened a new, temporary exhibit at its wonderful Isuzu Plaza museum. The exhibit features Isuzu’s earliest passenger car, the Hillman Minx. There are precious few examples of these cars left, and in fact one of them … Continue reading
VIDEO: One man’s obsessive collection of high-mileage Acuras
There are all kinds of eccentric car collectors out there, but even among those Tyson Hugie is an oddball. And as he’s a friend of JNC, we mean that in the nicest way. Most of the Honda collectors we encounter … Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Kawaramachi-Sanjo, Kyoto, 1972
Kawaramachi-Sanjo, a shopping and nightlife district just northeast of the historic Gion section of Kyoto, was a lively spot after the sun went down. Sharp cars would cruise down Kawaramachi street, past a Fujiya Grill. On this particular 1972 evening, … Continue reading
Check out Isuzu City, the mind-blowing miniature town that is Japan’s largest diorama
Goodbye forever, readers. We at JNC have decided to move to a place in Japan where there are plenty of nostalgic cars, clean streets, and barely any traffic. It’s Isuzu City, population 3,300, located inside the Isuzu Plaza museum in … Continue reading
GALLERIES: A virtual tour of Japan’s impressive Isuzu museum
Isuzu Plaza, the official Isuzu museum was opened in 2017 in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, next to one of the company’s oldest factories. It’s currently closed through April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but thanks to Isuzu you can still … Continue reading
JNC LIBRARY: A must-have book for the Isuzu aficionado
If you’re a hard-core enthusiast, or even just a casual fan, of Isuzus, the the new book A History of Isuzu Passenger Cars by Setsuo Toma should be in your library. As the title implies, it spans the entire run … Continue reading
PARTS GUIDE: Yokohama adds new sizes for GT Special throwback tire
Last year, Yokohama Tires released a modern version of its iconic GT Special tire, with sizes specifically fitted for classic cars. Due to its success, Yokohama is adding new sizes to the lineup, which should be a boon to restorers … Continue reading
Posted in Product Guide
Tagged a10, a20, bellett, bluebird, carina, celica, galant gto, isuzu, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota, yokohama
8 Comments
VIDEO: Watch the Isuzu Trooper take a slalom without rolling over
In the 90s at the dawn of the SUV takeover, truck-based people haulers were trying to move upscale while still retaining their off-road cred. Also, Isuzu still existed as a purveyor of passenger vehicles. Their entry into the segment was … Continue reading
VIDEO: Chevy’s captive import Isuzu and Suzuki turbos were the bee’s knees
The 1980s were heady times. Even the smallest econoboxes coming out of Japan had sport-ified versions lavished with tech and gear that would have seemed at home on much higher-priced sports cars. Plus, both Isuzu and Suzuki were still operating … Continue reading
Happy 117 Day from JNC
The New Year Meeting is no more, sadly, but back when times were headier an Isuzu 117 was the way to exit in style. Happy 117 Day from JNC!
Acura resto-modded an SLX with 350-horsepower and a modern drivetrain
When one ponders the modified Acura, it’s usually a B18C-swapped Integra or some kind of insane time attack NSX. The SLX is probably pretty far down that list, if one can remember that is exists at all. However, Acura — … Continue reading
