In the late 70s, Detroit was about to get crushed by Japanese cars but hadn't realized it yet. And not just because Americans were shifting to smaller cars. The technology in this Isuzu makes American cars built at the same time look positively Stone Age. As early as 1970, the 117 was available with
a DOHC 4-cylinder engine; by 1977 it produced 135 hp. Compare that to a Ford 302 V-8 made that same year
which eked out a meager 122 hp.
Observations:
* The 117 looks like an Italian car because it is, being designed by
Giorgetto Giugiaro.
* That logo on the grill is a lion.
* Looking at the interior, I love the huge metal ashtray mounted on the door sill.
* Unlike most of the vintage right-hand Japanese cars I've seen, this 117 has an automatic transmission.
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