Isuzu Florian
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The Isuzu Florian is an intermediate class car manufactured by Isuzu Motors Ltd. in Japan from November 1967 to 1983. The Florian's body remained essentially the same through its unusually long life cycle, being afforded only two moderate facelifts. The Isuzu Florian (Project 117) was originally presented as the
Ghia Carrozzeria Ghia SpA (established 1916 in Turin) is an Italian automobile design and coachbuilder, coachbuilding firm, established by Giacinto Ghia and Gariglio as "Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio". The headquarters are located at Corso Guglielmo Mar ...
Isuzu 117 Sedan at the 1966
Tokyo Motor Show The is a biennial auto show held in October–November at the Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), it is a recognized international show ...
and shared its complete chassis with the closely related
Isuzu 117 Coupé The Isuzu 117 Coupé is a compact Gran Turismo type 2-door fastback coupé which was produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Isuzu between 1968 and 1981. 117 was a codename for a common development program of Isuzu mid-size cars, invol ...
. Originally available only with a 1.6 liter gasoline inline-four engine (1600 Deluxe) producing at 5200 rpm, a 1.8 liter version was later added as was a diesel option, first seen in 1977.


History

The Florian saloon, competing in the intermediate class that included the
Toyota Mark II The is a compact, later mid-size sedan manufactured and marketed in Japan by Toyota between 1968 and 2004. Prior to 1972, the model was marketed as the Toyota Corona Mark II. In some export markets, Toyota marketed the vehicle as the Toyota Cres ...
,
Mazda Luce The Mazda Luce is an executive car that was produced by Mazda in Japan from 1966 until 1991. It was widely exported as the Mazda 929 from 1973 to 1991 as Mazda's largest sedan. Later generations were installed with luxury items and interiors as th ...
, and the
Nissan Laurel The Nissan Laurel is a front-engine, rear-drive two- and four-door sedan manufactured and marketed by Nissan from 1969 to 2002. Introduced in 1968 as a new model positioned above the 1968 Datsun Bluebird 510, the Laurel offered the luxury of the ...
, was first shown at the 1967
Tokyo Motor Show The is a biennial auto show held in October–November at the Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), it is a recognized international show ...
. The Florian 1600 Deluxe (PA20) led a somewhat uneasy existence as the top-of-the line Isuzu at the time of introduction, as its single carburetted overhead valve G161 engine was no more than a downtuned version of the unit which lived under the hood of the more affordable Bellett. To separate the Florian from the lesser Belletts, the more expensive 1600 Super Deluxe was added in March 1968. This model benefitted from plush standard equipment, including air conditioning and leather seats. The list of standard equipment expanded so that the Florian would compete for sales against more popular products from larger Japanese manufacturers, helping to justify the yearly road tax bill for using a large displacement engine, while remaining compliant with Japanese Government dimension regulations. In March 1969 the sportier 1600 TS ("Touring Sports") appeared, fitted with the Bellett GT's twin carb engine, producing at 5,400 rpm. Originally fitted with large, single rectangular headlights, the sporting 1600 TS introduced twin round units, a layout which became standard following the Florian's first facelift in October 1970. But already, in September 1969, the
overhead cam An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion cha ...
G161S engine was introduced. Power increased from for the Super Deluxe and from for the twin-carb 1600TS. The Deluxe still made do with the earlier OHV engine.'' Isuzu Memorial'', p. 85 October and November 1970 was also when the bigger was introduced, with in the Super Deluxe and 1800TS models respectively. This facelift brought with it a longer, more prominent nose, which also increased the overall length by . The 1600 Deluxe (now with the G161S SOHC engine) received this updated bodywork a little later, in December 1970. The lower powered 1800 engine was also available in the Van version (PA30V). The Florian was originally available as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon (the latter did not last until the end of production). The six-light glasshouse is of an unusual shape, with the rear doors being shared with the double-cab
Isuzu Faster The Isuzu Faster is a pickup truck that was manufactured and marketed by Isuzu between 1972 and 2002 over three generations. The Faster was succeeded worldwide by Isuzu D-Max, except in North America. First generation (1972–1980) I ...
(KB) pickup truck. The spacious Florian replaced the
Isuzu Bellel The Isuzu Bellel is a compact car produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Isuzu from 1961 to 1966. It was the company's first independent design, and also Japan's first passenger car with a diesel engine. It was available as a four-door ...
and was in turn replaced by the
Isuzu Aska The Isuzu Aska was a nameplate used by Isuzu Motors Ltd. of Japan to denote their mid-size sedans from 1983 to 2002. Originally, the Aska was a version of GM's J-car produced by Isuzu, but later, after Isuzu pulled out of manufacturing passen ...
(originally marketed as the "Florian Aska") in the Isuzu lineup. Originally available as a six-seater with a column-mounted three-speed shifter (or automatic), a floor-shifted five-seat model called "Owners DeLuxe" was also marketed in the first year. The three-speed manual was replaced with a four-speed manual in April 1968. The dashboard was very distinct, featuring two symmetrical oval, woodgrain-trimmed dashpods for the driver and passenger, with oval gauge pods as well. November 1973 marked another facelift, including a reworked rear end for the sedans. As the vans only saw limited sales they were only changed at the front. The only 1600-engined sedan still available by this time was a taxi version with an LPG-powered version of the overhead valve G161 engine, with SAE and a three-speed column-shifted manual.'' Automobile Guide Book 1973/1974'', p. 122 By the 1976 Tokyo Motor Show the 1600 sedan no longer appeared in pricelists (leaving only the 1800 Super Deluxe, with a newly desmogged engine with 105 PS,) but the van was still only available with the original
overhead valve An overhead valve (OHV) engine, sometimes called a ''pushrod engine'', is a piston engine whose valves are located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier flathead engines, where the valves were located b ...
G161 engine with at 5200 rpm. By the time of the 1976 Tokyo Show this was switched to the overhead-cam G161Z engine with .'' Automobile Guide Book 1976/1977'', p. 178


Series II

In October 1977, the Florian underwent an extensive facelift. The interior and dash was all new, and at the front were double rectangular headlights. The car was now known as the Florian SII (for "Series II"), but none of this could hide the outdated profile of Isuzu's large sedan. The bumpers were also bigger (and heavier), and there were new, blocky taillights at the rear. The Van also underwent the same facelift, although its delicate, high-mounted taillights still remained unchanged. The facelift also marked the introduction of a diesel-engined model (appearing in November), which provided a useful boost to the Florian's sales. The sales gain was short-lived, however, as diesel-engined versions of Nissan's
Laurel Laurel may refer to: Plants * Lauraceae, the laurel family * Laurel (plant), including a list of trees and plants known as laurel People * Laurel (given name), people with the given name * Laurel (surname), people with the surname * Laurel (mus ...
,
Mazda Luce The Mazda Luce is an executive car that was produced by Mazda in Japan from 1966 until 1991. It was widely exported as the Mazda 929 from 1973 to 1991 as Mazda's largest sedan. Later generations were installed with luxury items and interiors as th ...
and Toyota's
Mark II Mark II or Mark 2 often refers to the second version of a product, frequently military hardware. "Mark", meaning "model" or "variant", can be abbreviated "Mk." Mark II or Mark 2 may refer to: Military and weaponry * 16"/50 caliber Mark 2 gun ...
rivals arrived during 1978 and 1979. The Florian II also received improved equipment, including a variable ratio steering gear and heating ducts in the rear seat. In May 1979 the gasoline engine was updated with the new I·CAS emissions system (a two-way catalytic converter) and exhaust recirculation valve. The modified engine, which meets the 1978 emissions standards for gasoline passenger vehicles, also has five extra horsepower for a total of . One month later the diesel's Bosch "A" injection system was updated to the newer "VE" system, in order to meet the stricter 1979 emissions standards. In March 1980 the old symmetrical dashboard was retired in favor of the one also used in the 117 Coupé, a version which was not available for left-hand drive. Production ended in October 1982, but stock lasted until April 1983 when the new Florian Aska replaced it. There were only 145,836 Florian sedans produced during the 15 years of the model's existence, and 42,625 Vans. The Florian was only sold in limited markets across the globe as Isuzu's passenger products were, for the most part, not sold through General Motors' channels. However the pickup derivative, the
Isuzu Faster The Isuzu Faster is a pickup truck that was manufactured and marketed by Isuzu between 1972 and 2002 over three generations. The Faster was succeeded worldwide by Isuzu D-Max, except in North America. First generation (1972–1980) I ...
, was widely exported using Isuzu's relationship with General Motors and enjoyed a considerably greater market penetration than the sedan. The pickup was sold in North America as the
Chevrolet LUV The Chevrolet LUV and the later Chevrolet LUV D-Max are light pickup trucks designed and manufactured by Isuzu and marketed in the Americas since 1972 by Chevrolet over four generations as rebadged variants of the Isuzu Faster and D-Max. ''L ...
, in Europe as the
Bedford Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population of the Bedford built-up area (including Biddenham and Kempston) was 106,940, making it the second-largest settlement in Bedfordshire, behind Luton, whilst ...
KB and in Australia, through Holden dealerships as both the
Holden Rodeo The Holden Rodeo is a utility vehicle (pickup truck) that was sold in Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) by Holden. Introduced in 1980, the Rodeo was built by Isuzu over three generations. Prior to the launch of the Holden Rodeo, Holden h ...
and later as the
Chevrolet LUV The Chevrolet LUV and the later Chevrolet LUV D-Max are light pickup trucks designed and manufactured by Isuzu and marketed in the Americas since 1972 by Chevrolet over four generations as rebadged variants of the Isuzu Faster and D-Max. ''L ...
.


Origins of the name

The Florian was not named after
Saint Florian Florian ( la, Florianus; 250 – 304 AD) was a Christian holy man, and the patron saint of Linz, Austria; chimney sweeps; soapmakers, and firefighters. His feast day is 4 May. Florian is also the patron saint of Upper Austria, jointly with Le ...
, but rather after the fictional
Lipizzan The Lipizzan or Lipizzaner ( hr, Lipicanac, cz, Lipicán, hu, Lipicai, it, Lipizzano, sr, Lipicaner, sl, Lipicanec), is a European horse breed, breed of riding horse developed in the Habsburg Empire in the sixteenth century. It is of Baroqu ...
white horse belonging to the Emperor of Austria, which is the focal character of Felix Salten's (the author of ''
Bambi ''Bambi'' is a 1942 American animated drama film directed by David Hand (supervising a team of sequence directors), produced by Walt Disney and based on the 1923 book ''Bambi, a Life in the Woods'' by Austrian author and hunter Felix Salten ...
'') 1934 novel, ''Florian - the Emperor's Stallion''. In 1940, a movie based on the book was released, entitled simply ''Florian''. Thus, the later Florian SII features stallion badging. ;Sales


References


External links


Photos of 1969 and 1970 Florians

1977 Florian on sale - big dashboard photo


{{Isuzu modern timeline Florian Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Mid-size cars Sedans Station wagons 1970s cars 1980s cars Cars introduced in 1967