D-Max, some interesting facts from Isuzu Ute Australia.
Flashback: D-MAX DNA in the Isuzu Wasp
1965: Before the D-MAX, came the Wasp; the first one-tonne Isuzu sold in Australia under the original Isuzu Name Badge
Based on the earlier released Bellett, the Wasp was Isuzus first one-tonne light commercial vehicle, built in Japan from 1963 to 1971. Two years after the model was released to the Japanese domestic market, Australia received its first and only shipment. All 122 units were painted Wasp Blue; two-thirds were cab chassis and the rest were utes.
The 1325cc in-line four-cylinder, water-cooled petrol engine generated 58hp (43kW) at 5,000rpm with a maximum torque of 70.9ft/lb (96Nm) at 1,800rpm and a top speed of 116kph. While the front axle had independent, torsion-bar suspension, the rear axle was semi-floating with a Hotchkiss drive. Clutch control on the four-gear Wasp was a dry single plate with damper. The KR20 retailed in Australia for £848, or £946 which included a £98premiumfor a factory-fitted tray built by coachbuilders in Australia.
Our local dealer sold heaps of Belletts, he was also BMC dealer. One couple washed the paint off theirs after about a year, washed at least three times a week to keep the salt air off it.
The Travelling Dillberries said
09:06 PM Nov 25, 2020
Craig1 wrote:
Our local dealer sold heaps of Belletts, he was also BMC dealer. One couple washed the paint off theirs after about a year, washed at least three times a week to keep the salt air off it.
Thanks Craig, I hadn't heard of (remembered?) the Bellette, shape looks familiar though and apparently was a pretty popular 4 cyl beast that got to 95 mph. succeeded by the Isuzu Gemini.
-- Edited by The Travelling Dillberries on Wednesday 25th of November 2020 09:07:30 PM
DeBe said
11:35 PM Nov 25, 2020
In 1974 i had a Isuzu Chev Luv 1 ton ute which i used to tow a 16Ft Millard caravan.
The Travelling Dillberries said
06:34 AM Nov 26, 2020
DeBe wrote:
In 1974 i had a Isuzu Chev Luv 1 ton ute which i used to tow a 16Ft Millard caravan.
Was that the 1.8 L diesel or the petrol motor.
I see you are still towing a Millard....updated???
DMaxer said
07:08 AM Nov 26, 2020
Thanks for posting that TDs. That was an era when I really became interested in cars. I remember the Bellett had success as a rally car and also in what was then the Armstrong 500/Hardie Ferodo 1000. That was a great era with the Morris Cooper S. the Hillman Hunter GT, the first of the Datsun 1600, the Falcon GT in 1967 and Monaro in 1968.
I think those early model Wasps may have had a column shift. I recall when some of the taxis used an Isuzu diesel fitted into the Holden body later on in the 70s when petrol prices began to increase. They sounded like tractors driving past.
iana said
08:45 AM Nov 26, 2020
We had a Landcruiser that had a factory fitted Isuzu 4cyl. motor.
In New Guinea the local paper ran a comic strip each edition, who featured a character called Isuzu-alulu, he was depicted driving an Isuzu ute carrying passengers, and was all centered around advertising for Isuzu.
This was back in the late 70's.
KJB said
10:43 AM Nov 26, 2020
I bought a new Bellett sedan and Wasp ute in 1960's (Bellett used as family car and also extensively in Club Motorsport ) These were followed by in late '70's by a Chevy LUV (almost identical to a Wasp) then in 1990 another '66 Bellett sedan (which I still have ) another Wasp and a '67 Bellett GT. i have also owned and operated Isuzu trucks as well . Isuzu products have always given me good service - and I particularly like their diesel truck engines.
DMax you forgot to include the Prince Skyline GTB in your list of 1960's performance cars ....a Japanese vehicle with "performance " equipment that other companies had not even dreamt of producing their cars with.(OHC 6 cyl. motor with triple Weber carbies , Limited Slip Diff.- most people had not even heard of one , disc front brakes , 100 litre race fuel tank, 5 speed gear box, finned alloy rear brakes , full instrumentation . ) - all off the Showroom floor in 1964/5 .
My favorite during the mid sixties was the Mk1 Cortina GT, bought one new traveled across Oz in it about 6 times would hold 90Mph as long as I wanted it, top speed (according to speedo) was 105. Lovely reliable economical car.
I bought an original with log books that needed TLC in the eighties was going to be for my son but I decided it was for me as a project, worked on it intermittently for eight years or so but in the end sold it for much more than I paid for it. It would have been old school and I didn't want the memories to be corrupted!
Cheers
RichardK
DMaxer said
04:49 PM Nov 26, 2020
Of course, KJB, the Prince Skyline. They really flew.
I also recall the Austin A30 with the Holden engine raced by Brockie and the first Torana with a 5 litre V8 raced by John Harvey.
Sorry for going off topic but just great memories.
KJB said
04:58 PM Nov 26, 2020
Here is one for the Isuzu clan . I built this in 1971 - 1958 Ford Prefect with a mid mounted Isuzu Bellett engine and gearbox - used for AutoX.
Here is one for the Isuzu clan . I built this in 1971 - 1958 Ford Prefect with a mid mounted Isuzu Bellett engine and gearbox - used for AutoX.
Hi Kerry...great photos that brought back great memories for me! Used to race 1310cc Cooper S that had 120hp at the wheels,big gear in its day,and good for electronically timed 128.8mph,or over 200km/hr. Had the straight-cut close ratio box. Had to spray ether down the carbs to start it in the morning. Pathetic by today standard, with my present road car having over 400hp at the ground,but we thought we were pretty quick 50 years ago ! Thanks again.Cheers
DMaxer said
09:57 AM Nov 27, 2020
Those Prince Skylines that you mentioned KJB made me look into their history. Apparently they were first produced in Italy and then went to Nissan. They filled second through to sixth position in a major touring car race in Japan. The car that beat them was a Porsche 904, so they obviously had some grunt.
Sorry for taking your post off topic TDs. It's Doug's fault.
Jaahn said
12:01 PM Nov 29, 2020
iana wrote:
We had a Landcruiser that had a factory fitted Isuzu 4cyl. motor. In New Guinea the local paper ran a comic strip each edition, who featured a character called Isuzu-alulu, he was depicted driving an Isuzu ute carrying passengers, and was all centered around advertising for Isuzu. This was back in the late 70's.
Hi Ian
I have several of the Isuzu Lu books from my time in PNG. Very amusing and of course were Isuzu advertising initially a cartoon in the local papers. Isuzu were very well regarded in PNG and gave good service on terrible roads and other duties. The logging trucks working in Madang were all Isuzu 4x4 and 6x6 rigids. Hard workers
A taste of Isuzu LU. You had to be there to appreciate how it captured the 'feel' of the place !! Bob Browne was the cartoonist who went on to greater things here.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Sunday 29th of November 2020 12:08:30 PM
iana said
12:27 PM Nov 29, 2020
Yep that's the one, we were at Goroka, working for Talair. That Ute still looks under loaded. Imagine the comments on here if the forum members could see the land Cruiser tray tops with the back tray nearly dragging on the ground.
-- Edited by iana on Sunday 29th of November 2020 12:37:20 PM
Just another bit of Isuzu history trivia. After the war Isuzu (perhaps called another name then) made Hillman Minx's under licence for quite some years. Might interest those of the old British car tradition.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 10th of December 2020 08:49:55 PM
DMaxer said
08:20 PM Dec 10, 2020
I wonder how that came about. Was that part of the old Rootes Group that made English cars Jaahn?
Jaahn said
08:44 PM Dec 10, 2020
DMaxer wrote:
I wonder how that came about. Was that part of the old Rootes Group that made English cars Jaahn?
Hi DMaxer
You must be a young fella if you do not know what a Hillman Minx was ?? They were also made in Australia well before a twin cab ute was dreamed about !!
From the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, the Minx and its drivatives were the greatest-volume sellers of the "Audax" family of cars from Rootes, which also included the Singer Gazelle and Sunbeam Rapier. "
"Already before the war, Isuzu's ancestor manufactured the Wolseley A9 under license in Japan. After the war, the firm adopted the name of Isuzu in 1949 and turned to the Rootes group to restart production. The PH10 is a Hillman Minx MkVII made in Japan. The advantage of English cars is that the steering wheel is on the right, just like in Japan.
In September 1956, Isuzu released the new Minx , a Hillman Minx Series I Audax body. A station wagon version is called Express. 58,000 Minx are manufactured in Japan between 1953 and 1964. The Roots group will remain linked to Isuzu until the 1960s since the Bellett GT Coupé from 1963 has a chassis identical to the Sunbeam Alpine".
Jaahn
DMaxer said
07:16 AM Dec 11, 2020
I think you misunderstood my reply Jaahn.
I remember the Minx and the Hunter and the Imp. My question was whether Isuzu was part of the Rootes Group who manufactured cars in the U.K.
Dougwe said
07:43 AM Dec 11, 2020
Morning BigD. They might be something to do with the Wombat group of companies.
yobarr said
08:45 AM Dec 11, 2020
DMaxer wrote. I think you misunderstood my reply Jaahn. I remember the Minx and the Hunter and the Imp. My question was whether Isuzu was part of the Rootes Group who manufactured cars in the U.K.
Ah,memories.This is the Hillman Imp that was raced by Jim Richards (then known as 'Jimmy') against hordes of Cooper S minis,in the early stages of his career.The Imp was equally as fast as the Minis,but invariably 'died in action'. Jim also raced this Anglia,using this little van as a tow car.The GTHO Falcon came later.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 11th of December 2020 09:24:24 AM
Some pics of my "early" Isuzu's ...my 1967 Isuzu Bellett GT, my 1965 Isuzu Wasp ute ....(I sold this recently) and lastly my 1966 Isuzu Bellett sedan...
Great photos Yobarr and KJB. What a great era of motor sport. I find today's really boring and predictable compared to earlier eras when all the classes had a go. You didn't need factory backing to be popular, and could they drive.
No Doug, I am sure the Rootes Group made the Minx and the Sunbeam and maybe the Humber. No wombats that I can recall.
Jaahn said
02:43 PM Dec 11, 2020
DMaxer wrote:
I think you misunderstood my reply Jaahn. I remember the Minx and the Hunter and the Imp. My question was whether Isuzu was part of the Rootes Group who manufactured cars in the U.K.
Hmm DMaxer
I did misunderstand your reply. So my answer would be NO they were never part of the Rootes Group. They just came to a commercial agreement after the war, to sell the Hillman Minx and phase in their own production over some years. I just read this on some sites, as I quoted above, as I have no other knowledge .
KJB I guess you already know this fact that comes from this site; http://automobiles-japonaises.com/Isuzu/Hillman/Minx.phps . the Bellett GT Coupé from 1963 has a chassis identical to the Sunbeam Alpine and its engine is similar to the Rapier 1592 cc. i never heard that before !
All the Japanese companies that wished to get going again after the war made some commercial tie-up to mainly British companies to use their designs for some years before going it alone.
Some fine photos from KJB and Yobarr thanks. I might have wasted quite a few hours with my girl friend(now wife) watching car races in the good ol'days and agree it was exciting and the drivers were great and the racing close and various models to add spice. I barely watch the procession of cloned pretend cars these days. Just a money money money business really.
Jaahn
DMaxer said
04:34 PM Dec 11, 2020
Thanks for the info Jaahn.
There was nothing to compare to the sound of the Falcon GT or the Monaro when they accelerated at the start or came down the gears under brakes. Just magnificent to watch the smaller cars like the Cooper S outbreak them.
yobarr said
05:45 PM Dec 11, 2020
DMaxer wrote:
I think you misunderstood my reply Jaahn. I remember the Minx and the Hunter and the Imp. My question was whether Isuzu was part of the Rootes Group who manufactured cars in the U.K.
Hillman Minx was produced by Isuzu,in Japan,under licence from the Rootes Group,between 1953 and 1964.These poor excuses for a car were rarely involved in accidents because they were so slow that they never got there on time to be involved.Handled like a sponge in a bath,with massive amounts of body roll,and pathetic brakes.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 11th of December 2020 05:45:40 PM
D-Max, some interesting facts from Isuzu Ute Australia.
Flashback: D-MAX DNA in the Isuzu Wasp
1965: Before the D-MAX, came the Wasp; the first one-tonne Isuzu sold in Australia under the original Isuzu Name Badge
Based on the earlier released Bellett, the Wasp was Isuzus first one-tonne light commercial vehicle, built in Japan from 1963 to 1971. Two years after the model was released to the Japanese domestic market, Australia received its first and only shipment. All 122 units were painted Wasp Blue; two-thirds were cab chassis and the rest were utes.
The 1325cc in-line four-cylinder, water-cooled petrol engine generated 58hp (43kW) at 5,000rpm with a maximum torque of 70.9ft/lb (96Nm) at 1,800rpm and a top speed of 116kph. While the front axle had independent, torsion-bar suspension, the rear axle was semi-floating with a Hotchkiss drive. Clutch control on the four-gear Wasp was a dry single plate with damper. The KR20 retailed in Australia for £848, or £946 which included a £98premiumfor a factory-fitted tray built by coachbuilders in Australia.
Thanks Craig, I hadn't heard of (remembered?) the Bellette, shape looks familiar though and apparently was a pretty popular 4 cyl beast that got to 95 mph. succeeded by the Isuzu Gemini.
-- Edited by The Travelling Dillberries on Wednesday 25th of November 2020 09:07:30 PM
Was that the 1.8 L diesel or the petrol motor.
I see you are still towing a Millard....updated???
Thanks for posting that TDs. That was an era when I really became interested in cars. I remember the Bellett had success as a rally car and also in what was then the Armstrong 500/Hardie Ferodo 1000. That was a great era with the Morris Cooper S. the Hillman Hunter GT, the first of the Datsun 1600, the Falcon GT in 1967 and Monaro in 1968.
I think those early model Wasps may have had a column shift. I recall when some of the taxis used an Isuzu diesel fitted into the Holden body later on in the 70s when petrol prices began to increase. They sounded like tractors driving past.
In New Guinea the local paper ran a comic strip each edition, who featured a character called Isuzu-alulu, he was depicted driving an Isuzu ute carrying passengers, and was all centered around advertising for Isuzu.
This was back in the late 70's.
I bought a new Bellett sedan and Wasp ute in 1960's (Bellett used as family car and also extensively in Club Motorsport ) These were followed by in late '70's by a Chevy LUV (almost identical to a Wasp) then in 1990 another '66 Bellett sedan (which I still have ) another Wasp and a '67 Bellett GT. i have also owned and operated Isuzu trucks as well . Isuzu products have always given me good service - and I particularly like their diesel truck engines.
DMax you forgot to include the Prince Skyline GTB in your list of 1960's performance cars ....a Japanese vehicle with "performance " equipment that other companies had not even dreamt of producing their cars with.(OHC 6 cyl. motor with triple Weber carbies , Limited Slip Diff.- most people had not even heard of one , disc front brakes , 100 litre race fuel tank, 5 speed gear box, finned alloy rear brakes , full instrumentation . ) - all off the Showroom floor in 1964/5 .
I bought an original with log books that needed TLC in the eighties was going to be for my son but I decided it was for me as a project, worked on it intermittently for eight years or so but in the end sold it for much more than I paid for it. It would have been old school and I didn't want the memories to be corrupted!
Cheers
RichardK
Here is one for the Isuzu clan . I built this in 1971 - 1958 Ford Prefect with a mid mounted Isuzu Bellett engine and gearbox - used for AutoX.
Hi Kerry...great photos that brought back great memories for me! Used to race 1310cc Cooper S that had 120hp at the wheels,big gear in its day,and good for electronically timed 128.8mph,or over 200km/hr. Had the straight-cut close ratio box. Had to spray ether down the carbs to start it in the morning. Pathetic by today standard, with my present road car having over 400hp at the ground,but we thought we were pretty quick 50 years ago ! Thanks again.Cheers
Those Prince Skylines that you mentioned KJB made me look into their history. Apparently they were first produced in Italy and then went to Nissan. They filled second through to sixth position in a major touring car race in Japan. The car that beat them was a Porsche 904, so they obviously had some grunt.
Sorry for taking your post off topic TDs. It's Doug's fault.
Hi Ian
I have several of the Isuzu Lu books from my time in PNG. Very amusing and of course were Isuzu advertising initially a cartoon in the local papers. Isuzu were very well regarded in PNG and gave good service on terrible roads and other duties. The logging trucks working in Madang were all Isuzu 4x4 and 6x6 rigids. Hard workers
A taste of Isuzu LU.
You had to be there to appreciate how it captured the 'feel' of the place !! Bob Browne was the cartoonist who went on to greater things here.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Sunday 29th of November 2020 12:08:30 PM
Yep that's the one, we were at Goroka, working for Talair.
That Ute still looks under loaded.
Imagine the comments on here if the forum members could see the land Cruiser tray tops with the back tray nearly dragging on the ground.
-- Edited by iana on Sunday 29th of November 2020 12:37:20 PM
Hi
Just another bit of Isuzu history trivia. After the war Isuzu (perhaps called another name then) made Hillman Minx's under licence for quite some years. Might interest those of the old British car tradition.
http://automobiles-japonaises.com/Isuzu/Hillman/Minx.php
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 10th of December 2020 08:49:55 PM
Hi DMaxer
You must be a young fella if you do not know what a Hillman Minx was ??
They were also made in Australia well before a twin cab ute was dreamed about !!
"The Hillman Minx was a mid-sized family car that British car maker Hillman produced from 1931 to 1970. There were many versions of the Minx over that period, as well as badge-engineered variants sold by Humber, Singer, and Sunbeam.
From the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, the Minx and its drivatives were the greatest-volume sellers of the "Audax" family of cars from Rootes, which also included the Singer Gazelle and Sunbeam Rapier. "
"Already before the war, Isuzu's ancestor manufactured the Wolseley A9 under license in Japan. After the war, the firm adopted the name of Isuzu in 1949 and turned to the Rootes group to restart production. The PH10 is a Hillman Minx MkVII made in Japan. The advantage of English cars is that the steering wheel is on the right, just like in Japan.
In September 1956, Isuzu released the new Minx , a Hillman Minx Series I Audax body. A station wagon version is called Express. 58,000 Minx are manufactured in Japan between 1953 and 1964.
The Roots group will remain linked to Isuzu until the 1960s since the Bellett GT Coupé from 1963 has a chassis identical to the Sunbeam Alpine".
Jaahn
DMaxer wrote. I think you misunderstood my reply Jaahn. I remember the Minx and the Hunter and the Imp. My question was whether Isuzu was part of the Rootes Group who manufactured cars in the U.K.
Ah,memories.This is the Hillman Imp that was raced by Jim Richards (then known as 'Jimmy') against hordes of Cooper S minis,in the early stages of his career.The Imp was equally as fast as the Minis,but invariably 'died in action'. Jim also raced this Anglia,using this little van as a tow car.The GTHO Falcon came later.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 11th of December 2020 09:24:24 AM
Some pics of my
"early" Isuzu's ...my 1967 Isuzu Bellett GT, my 1965 Isuzu Wasp ute ....(I sold this recently) and lastly my 1966 Isuzu Bellett sedan...
Hmm DMaxer
I did misunderstand your reply. So my answer would be NO they were never part of the Rootes Group. They just came to a commercial agreement after the war, to sell the Hillman Minx and phase in their own production over some years. I just read this on some sites, as I quoted above, as I have no other knowledge .
KJB I guess you already know this fact that comes from this site; http://automobiles-japonaises.com/Isuzu/Hillman/Minx.phps . the Bellett GT Coupé from 1963 has a chassis identical to the Sunbeam Alpine and its engine is similar to the Rapier 1592 cc. i never heard that before !
All the Japanese companies that wished to get going again after the war made some commercial tie-up to mainly British companies to use their designs for some years before going it alone.
Some fine photos from KJB and Yobarr thanks.
I might have wasted quite a few hours with my girl friend(now wife) watching car races in the good ol'days and agree it was exciting and the drivers were great and the racing close and various models to add spice. I barely watch the procession of cloned pretend cars these days. Just a money money money business really. 
Jaahn
Hillman Minx was produced by Isuzu,in Japan,under licence from the Rootes Group,between 1953 and 1964.These poor excuses for a car were rarely involved in accidents because they were so slow that they never got there on time to be involved.Handled like a sponge in a bath,with massive amounts of body roll,and pathetic brakes.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 11th of December 2020 05:45:40 PM