1963 Isuzu Bellel

Despite some issues regarding quality, the Bellel is now a much better car that is particularly appreciated as a taxi, most of them being powered by the economical diesel engine. In November 1962, a new Special Deluxe, a plush variant of the car, is introduced. It is initially fitted with a more powerful version - thanks to a new carburettor - of the 2.0-litre gasoline engine, though the 2.0-litre diesel becomes available from spring 1963. Half-way through the year, the Bellel starts being exported to selected markets in both right- and left-hand drive versions, generally fitted with the diesel engine.


Isuzu Bellel

● Introduction: October 1961. 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; inline four, 2.0-litre, 95 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 150 kph (gasoline). Range: four-door “Standard” sedan, four-door “Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Special Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Express” estate. Note: the Deluxe is exclusively fitted with the 85 hp engine. The 95 hp engine is reserved to the Special Deluxe, which can also be powered by the diesel engine from April 1963. The estate can be exclusively fitted with the diesel engine.


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1967 Isuzu Bellel

After the major face-lift it has received last year, the Isuzu Bellel is virtually unchanged for 1967. Sales are now rather confidential, as this car never succeeded in convincing private buyers, although it is, on the other hand, a rather popular taxicab.


Isuzu Bellel

● Introduction: October 1961. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 2.0-litre, 88 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline four, 2.0-litre, 98 hp; diesel inline four, 2.0-litre, 58 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox (Standard). Four-speed manual gearbox standard with Special Deluxe or diesel. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 444 cm (estate), 447 cm (saloon). Top speed: 110 kph (diesel), 135 to 145 kph (gasoline). Range: four-door “Standard” sedan, four-door “Special Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Express” estate. Note: the Special Deluxe is exclusively fitted with the 98 hp engine. The estate can be fitted with either the 88 hp gasoline engine or the diesel one.


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1966 Isuzu Bellel

The elegant design of the initial Bellel gives way in October 1965 to a much heavier style, with quad headlights fitted vertically at the front, as its rival the Nissan Cedric. The rear is not left untouched either, the original, but somehow disliked triangular taillights being now replaced by very plain rectangular units mounted horizontally on the rear panel.


Isuzu Bellel

● Introduction: October 1961. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 2.0-litre, 88 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline four, 2.0-litre, 98 hp; diesel inline four, 2.0-litre, 58 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox (Standard). Four-speed manual gearbox standard with Special Deluxe or diesel. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 444 cm (estate), 447 cm (saloon). Top speed: 110 kph (diesel), 135 to 145 kph (gasoline). Range: four-door “Standard” sedan, four-door “Special Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Express” estate. Note: the Special Deluxe is exclusively fitted with the 98 hp engine. The estate can be fitted with either the 88 hp gasoline engine or the diesel one.


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1965 Isuzu Bellel

Popular among taxicab operators but largely frowned upon by private drivers, the Isuzu Bellel enjoys upgraded engines this year. The offer is also more limited this year, as the smaller 1.5-litre gasoline block is no longer available and the trims are reduced in number.


Isuzu Bellel

● Introduction: October 1961. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 2.0-litre, 88 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: inline four, 2.0-litre, 98 hp; diesel inline four, 2.0-litre, 58 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox (Standard). Four-speed manual gearbox standard with Special Deluxe or diesel. 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: 110 kph (diesel), 135 to 145 kph (gasoline). Range: four-door “Standard” sedan, four-door “Special Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Express” estate. Note: the Special Deluxe is exclusively fitted with the 98 hp engine. The estate can be fitted with either the 88 hp gasoline engine or the diesel one.


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1964 Isuzu Bellel

The large Bellel remains far less popular in Japan than some of its rivals, the Nissan Cedric or the Prince Gloria in particular. Nevertheless, it enjoys a sizeable success as a taxicab, thanks to the availability of a diesel engine.


Isuzu Bellel

● Introduction: October 1961. 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; inline four, 2.0-litre, 95 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 150 kph (gasoline). Range: four-door “Standard” sedan, four-door “Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Special Deluxe” sedan, four-door “Express” estate. Note: the Deluxe is exclusively fitted with the 85 hp engine. The Special Deluxe can be fitted with either the 95 hp gasoline engine or the diesel one. The estate can be exclusively fitted with the diesel engine.


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1962 Isuzu Bellel

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 (Japan, 1954-present)

1954 Hillman Minx

1955 Hillman Minx

1956 Hillman Minx

1957 Hillman Minx

1958 Hillman Minx

1959 Hillman Minx

1960 Hillman Minx

1961 Hillman Minx

1962 Hillman Minx
1962 Isuzu Bellel

1963 Hillman Minx
1963 Isuzu Bellel

1964 Hillman Minx
1964 Isuzu Bellett
1964 Isuzu Bellel

1965 Isuzu Bellett
1965 Isuzu Bellel

1966 Isuzu Bellett
1966 Isuzu Bellel

1967 Isuzu Bellett
1967 Isuzu Bellel

1968 Isuzu Bellett
1968 Isuzu Florian

1969 Isuzu Bellett
1969 Isuzu Florian
1969 Isuzu 117
...


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