Having gained experience in automobile production from the construction of the Hillman Minx under licence, Isuzu now adds to this car of British origin a model of its own design, the Bellel. This large automobile, available as a saloon or as an estate, is offered with a variety of engines, including a diesel one, which betrays Isuzu’s long involvement in the production of commercial vehicles. Style is clean and elegant, with an undeniable hint at the Lancia Flaminia. Unfortunately, a succession of quality problems are put into light after the car is announced at the end of 1961, and it is not before April 1962 that the Bellel is judged satisfactory enough to be put in production.
Isuzu Bellel
● Introduction: October 1961 for the announcement, April 1962 for the effective commercial launch. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.5-litre, 72 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline four, 2.0-litre, 85 hp; diesel inline four, 2.0-litre, 55 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 444 cm (estate), 449 cm (saloon). Top speed: 105 kph (diesel), 130 to 135 kph (gasoline). Range: four-door “Standard” sedan, four-door “Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Express” estate. Note: the Deluxe sedan can be exclusively fitted with the 85 hp engine. The estate can be exclusively fitted with the diesel engine.
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Isuzu Bellel
● Introduction: October 1961 for the announcement, April 1962 for the effective commercial launch. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.5-litre, 72 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline four, 2.0-litre, 85 hp; diesel inline four, 2.0-litre, 55 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 444 cm (estate), 449 cm (saloon). Top speed: 105 kph (diesel), 130 to 135 kph (gasoline). Range: four-door “Standard” sedan, four-door “Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Express” estate. Note: the Deluxe sedan can be exclusively fitted with the 85 hp engine. The estate can be exclusively fitted with the diesel engine.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1962 – 1963 – 1964 – 1965 – 1966 – 1967
Click here to return to a list of all Isuzu vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
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