Isuzu Piazza (images)

[MK2VR6]

I remember the launch of these at the Earl's Court motorshow iirc. Lovely looking car when new. The shape looks like the lovechild of a DeLorean and Corolla; back end is a little 928 esque. Most now gone as engine and back axle offerings to other cars.

[awoo]

these are so awesome and they were really cheap a few years ago before the axle raping claimed them.

lotus handling, designed by Guigiaro (hence the dmc likeness), rwd, 2ltr turbo, quirky interior, they should have been more popular!


would love one

[dugong]

Piazzas are criminally overlooked in my opinion. When they turn up you can get a useable runner for around £600 - try doing that with an S12 \ S13.

People break them because they think they're a Chevette with a different body, when in reality only a few pressings in the floorpan are shared. Result? The back axle which 'just drops in' to a Manta or Chevette, erm....doesn't. Mark NightmaresRacing built a Chevette with Piazza running gear and said it was more involved than the pub folklore made out, without it being impossible. On a Chevette the half shafts have to be shortened and the pick up points to changed to allow the back axle to fit on to a Chevette shell, with Piazzas running a wider track.

Only the manual UK Piazzas had an LSD. The autos ran an open diff and the Handling By Lotus cars (from late 1988) had different rear suspension amongst other things. Pre Lotus cars came in from 1986 on a C plate and lasted until mid '88 - although a couple of earlier cars came in as grey imports before the UK distributor came on stream.

The Owners' Club is very supportive, too.

blacktopmagazine.wordpress.com/interviews/clive-burrough-iptoc-technical-contact/

[MK2VR6]

Never knew they were a Guigiaro design, but makes perfect sense now. I see 'Dugong' on here had one for sale ages ago:
£300 notes!

[dugong]

Aye, that was mine. Had no interest for ages - other than people offering '150 cash and pic up 2nite'.

Eventually Oldbus collected it on behalf of GTVSaviour and it went to Belgium to enjoy a new life as an organ donor for a modified Triumph Spitfire. Unfortunately it was stolen from John's barn before he could begin work.

I own another one now in a considerable state of disrepair. Some day I'll get it back on the road.

[EmDee]

This needs a repost:

[dugong]

That does need a repost (+1).

[crazymonkey]

these have a real volvo 480 look to them, but even better. thinking about it, I havent actually ever seen one in the metal

[kaptkaos]

I had read that this design was originally intended for VW as the second generation Scirocco. They didn't accept it and Guigiaro sold it off to Isuzu. What VW got was still very similar to the Piazza (Impulse in the States).

My father-in-law had one back in the late 80s with the automatic transmission. Good looking car, but my friend's first generation Scirocco would run circles around it.

[dugong]

Dec 16, 2012 17:17:45 GMT kaptkaos said:

I had read that this design was originally intended for VW as the second generation Scirocco. They didn't accept it and Guigiaro sold it off to Isuzu. What VW got was still very similar to the Piazza (Impulse in the States).

Not true. Another urban myth I'm afraid. The Asso di Fiori concept car (which the production Piazza was derived from) was a fresh commission in 1979 that Isuzu initiated. It wasn't a rejected VW design - although the Mk2 Scirocco and Piazza ended up looking rather similar.

[DavidB]

One of the best looking cars to come out of Japan I think, I love them. I miss the 80's

[MK2VR6]

Known as the Impulse for JDM:

[dugong]

They used both names in Japan for some unaccountable reason - I have literature describing Piazzas and Impulses.

The Space Star at the top was a British market Piazza converted in the UK. I've got a press release for it. I'll dig it out.

[DarrenW]

Fascinating cars, I love the headlamp arrangement. I haven't seen on in the metal for many years!

[bigalan]

Love these:-)The original concept:

[xbo11ox]

These are such a looker. I would LOVE one.

[dugong]

Nutjob dashboard in full effect, enlivened by brown plastic and fish eye lenses.



Photo - MM5.

[grifterkid]

A really nice looking car and one of those rare beasts that make it from concept to production almost un-altered...!!!

I'd love to stumble upon a really early one of these but I fear that that won't exactly be the easiest thing in the world...

[Copey]

love the funky looks, front lights are nice n quirky! the ATS cups suit em well, love the nut-job dash with the sprouty switch pannel too