Publication: Car Graphic
Format: Road Impressions
Date: January 1969
Author: “C/G Test Group” (uncredited)

Road testing the Isuzu 117 Coupe

Two years ago, at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Isuzu-Ghia-designed 117 Coupe’s beautiful shape was first revealed. After that, however, no indications were given that the car would enter production, raising concerns that it would share the fate of many show models–admired for a brief moment, only to disappear. Seen now, though, it is clear that during those two years an intense development process was quietly and tirelessly proceeding behind the scenes.

Publication: Motor Fan
Format: Touring Report
Date: January 1969
Author: Shuzo Araki, Jun Todoroki

Isuzu 117 Coupe: High-Speed Tourer

At last, Isuzu has released the Isuzu 117 Coupe, the company’s interpretation of the ultimate luxury tourer. Its flowing lines, styled by the renowned Italian carrozzeria Ghia, have been eagerly awaited for mass production ever since the car’s appearance at the 13th Tokyo Motor Show. Seizing the opportunity, Motor Fan set out to evaluate the true capabilities of the 117 Coupe, undertaking a demanding 570km touring test over every kind of terrain, including expressways, mountain roads, and rough surfaces.

Publication: Motor Fan
Format: Road Test
Date: February 1969
Author: Takuji Hamada, Tadashi Ouchi, Mineo Yamamoto, Osamu Hirao, Joji Mizusawa, Reichi Tsukagawa, Hiroshi Hoshijima, Hiroshi Toishi, Kazuo Kumabe, Seiji Hirose, Sadamitsu Koike, Kenji Higuchi, Fumio Tsukazaki, Yasuhei Oguchi, Taizo Tateishi, Atsushi Watari, Ichiro Kaneshige, Yoshio Akutsu, Akio Miyamoto, Katsuji Takanami, Kenzaburo Ishikawa, Akira Watanabe, Toshihide Hirata, Minoru Onda, Motor Fan Editorial Staff (uncredited)

A Top-Level Passenger Car for a New Genre

Publication: Car Graphic
Format: Road Test
Date: June 1970
Author: Shotaro Kobayashi

Road testing the Isuzu 117 Coupe EC

The Isuzu 117 Coupe, which combines a flowing Giugiaro-designed coupe body with Isuzu’s well-regarded 1.6-liter DOHC engine, first appeared in a form producing 120ps at 6400rpm with twin Solex carburetors. In the autumn of 1970, however, two further variants were added to the range: the EC and the 1800. The EC enhances the 1.6-liter DOHC engine with the fitment of a Bosch-patented electronically controlled fuel-injection system, while the 1800 is a model aimed towards a broader audience, powered by a 1.8-liter SOHC engine with twin SU carburetors, producing 115ps at 5800rpm. Prices are 1.47 million yen for the 1800, 1.67 million yen for the carbureted 1.6-liter model, and 1.87 million yen for the 1.6-liter EC. The car tested this time, over three days at Yatabe and elsewhere, was the fuel-injected 117 Coupe EC.