Let me tell you about the time I stumbled upon something truly special at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center last Saturday, May 10th at 7:30 p.m. I was there for what I thought would be just another automotive exhibition, but what I discovered completely reshaped my understanding of Japanese automotive history. You see, when most people think of Isuzu, they picture rugged trucks and dependable commercial vehicles - I certainly did. But tucked away in a corner of that convention center was something that made me do a double-take: an actual Isuzu sports car.
Now, here's what blew my mind - did you know Isuzu actually produced the 117 Coupe from 1968 to 1981? That's thirteen years of production that most enthusiasts have completely forgotten about. What's even more surprising is that only about 9,832 units were ever made, making it rarer than most contemporary European sports cars. I had the privilege of speaking with the owner of one at the event, and he shared something fascinating - the design came from none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was at Ghia. Standing there, looking at those elegant lines under the convention center lights, I couldn't help but think how this car perfectly bridges Italian design flair with Japanese engineering reliability.
The second surprising fact that really stuck with me involves what's under the hood. This isn't some rebadged version of another manufacturer's engine - it's pure Isuzu innovation. The 117 Coupe featured a twin-cam, four-cylinder engine that was actually developed with input from Lotus engineers. I remember running my hand along the engine bay of the pristine example at the show, marveling at how this 1.8-liter powerplant produced around 130 horsepower in its final iteration. That might not sound impressive by today's standards, but in the late 1960s, this put it right up there with some of the best sports cars from Europe. The owner even started it up for me, and that distinctive exhaust note - it had this unique throaty quality that you just don't hear in modern cars.
What really surprised me third was learning about Isuzu's racing pedigree with this car. Most people don't realize that Isuzu actually entered the 117 Coupe in various motorsport events throughout the 1970s. The vehicle I saw at Bren Z. Guiao had been meticulously restored to its 1972 East African Safari Rally specification. The current owner showed me photographs of the car competing in brutal conditions, which made me appreciate just how robust these vehicles really were. It's one thing to look at a pretty sports car under convention center lighting, but quite another to imagine it tackling thousands of kilometers of African wilderness.
The fourth revelation came when discussing production numbers with several collectors at the event. Apparently, only about 400 of these vehicles were imported to the United States during the entire production run. That's fewer than most limited edition supercars produce in a single year today. What's even more astonishing is that according to registry records, only about 1,200 examples are believed to still exist worldwide. Standing there in that convention center, surrounded by much more mainstream sports cars, I realized I was looking at something genuinely rare - the automotive equivalent of finding a first edition book in a stack of paperbacks.
Finally, the most personal surprise for me was discovering how advanced the 117 Coupe was for its time. The example at the show featured factory air conditioning, power windows, and even optional leather seats - amenities that were practically unheard of in Japanese sports cars of that era. I spent a good twenty minutes just sitting in the driver's seat, admiring the beautiful wood-rimmed steering wheel and the comprehensive gauge cluster. It struck me that Isuzu wasn't just building a sports car - they were building a grand tourer that could compete with the best from Europe, at a fraction of the price.
Walking out of the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center that evening, I couldn't stop thinking about how our perceptions of automotive brands can become so fixed over time. That Isuzu sports car taught me that there are always hidden chapters in automotive history waiting to be rediscovered. The vehicle represents a bold moment when a company known for practicality decided to chase passion, and in doing so, created something truly special. I feel fortunate to have experienced it firsthand, and it's reminded me to always look beyond the obvious when exploring automotive history. Sometimes the most interesting stories are hiding in plain sight, waiting for the right moment - like 7:30 on a Saturday evening - to reveal themselves.
