For Sale: A Rare 1971 Isuzu Bellett 1800 GT – The First Japanese “GT”
A 1971 Isuzu Bellett 1800 GT, described as the first Japanese car to carry the "GT" designation, is experiencing a surge in interest. This model helped establish Isuzu's sports car credentials, despite the company's reputation being primarily based on truck and diesel engine production, according to Silodrome.
The Isuzu Bellett 1800 GT, a rare model from the 1970s, represented a significant departure for Isuzu, a company mainly known for its trucks and diesel engines. Its "GT" designation and a victory at the 1969 Suzuka 12 Hours race were pivotal in building the company’s sports car reputation.
The Bellett, launched in 1963, featured a relatively advanced design for its era, incorporating four-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. This contrasted with rivals like Toyota and Nissan, which reportedly still used live rear axles on leaf springs. Its development was led by Joji Mizusawa and a new team, who toured European motor shows and reverse-engineered parts from other notable cars.
A key engineering challenge was the rear suspension, which utilized a diagonal swing axle with a transverse leaf spring acting as a camber compensator. This design aimed to address the swing axle's tendency to cause unpredictable wheel angle changes, a concern potentially influenced by issues faced by the Chevrolet Corvair's similar suspension design.
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