Sedan
Launched in June 1963, the sedan began life with a 1.5 L OHV gasoline Inline-four engine and a 1.8 L diesel engine. The 50 PS (37 kW) diesel received very low gearing of 4.1:1 - optionally available to the 1.5 as well - resulting in a top speed of only 104 km/h (65 mph). In April 1964, they were joined by the 1.3 L OHC inline-four engine already in use in the Wasp pickup truck, at which time a three-door van/wagon version called the Express (in Japan) was also added to the lineup. In 1966, the front fascia was facelifted, which is also when the Bellett B was added. At the very end of 1966, a sporting 1.6 litre SOHC engine was added for the 1600 GT. In 1971 the Bellett range underwent a second face lift, which also marked the end of diesel-powered Belletts.
The Bellett was the first Isuzu to be exported to Europe, when a thousand cars were shipped to Finland in January 1965. The Swiss market was entered after displaying at the 1965 Geneva Salon. The Finnish importer also sold Alfa Romeos and Jaguars, and accordingly used competition as their main advertising method. The Isuzu Bellett was also the first Japanese car to be regularly imported to Sweden. A 1.6-litre sedan line was assembled in New Zealand by Campbell Industries at Thames from 1968-1970. Initial production had a silver grille and squared tail lamps; a facelift brought a new black grille and longer, rectangular tail lamps. The car was imported under '300 club' rules which encouraged assembly of up to 300 units a year. Isuzu car assembly stopped after GM took its stake; the next Isuzu to be built and sold in New Zealand was the 1977 Gemini, marketed by GMNZ as an Isuzu rather than a Holden as in Australia.
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Famous quotes containing the word sedan:
“One way to do it might be by making the scenery penetrate the automobile. A polished black sedan was a good subject, especially if parked at the intersection of a tree-bordered street and one of those heavyish spring skies whose bloated gray clouds and amoeba-shaped blotches of blue seem more physical than the reticent elms and effusive pavement. Now break the body of the car into separate curves and panels; then put it together in terms of reflections.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)