Publication: Car Graphic
Format: Road Impressions
Date: January 1970
Author: “C/G Test Group” (uncredited)

Road testing the Isuzu 117 Coupe

The Isuzu-Ghia Design 117 Coupe, which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show two years ago, initially gave no indications of going into production, raising concerns that it would be a mere show model destined for a brief, beautiful life. However, looking back, we can see that an intense development process had been quietly and tirelessly continuing behind the scenes over the past two years. Having thoroughly tested the now-released Isuzu 117 Coupe over a 500km drive, we realized that the two-year wait was not in vain. Some manufacturers reluctantly release vehicles when are still in the “prototype” stage of development due to demands from their sales departments. Others fearlessly declare that they would not hesitate to buy such a car immediately after its release. However, the attitude of the people involved in the design and production of the Isuzu 117 Coupe is different, and in a sense, conscientious. Until their conscience as engineers had convinced them, they refused to put a “half-baked” car into production, no matter how strong the demands of the sales department.