Florian, Isuzu’s mid-size passenger car, now very rare
In 2024, we checked out a vehicle of interest at the Kanazawa Classic Car Meeting held at the Japan Automobile Museum in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture on Sunday, July 28. This time, we will introduce the owner of the “Florian,” a mid-size passenger car that shares components with the Isuzu “117 Coupe,” and that too, is a rare mid-size model.
The highest grade of the mid-term model of Florian, which is not seen very often
Walking around the venue of the Kanazawa Classic Car Meeting, I spotted a rare car. It was a Florian, a mid-size passenger car that was once manufactured by Isuzu, a company that has now withdrawn from passenger car manufacturing. The owner, Mr. Miyanaga, told us that he acquired this 1972 model 1800TS about seven years ago, spent about two years restoring it, and about five years ago, he finally got it back on the road, which he had longed for.
The exterior does not look like it at all, but Mr. Miyanaga painted it DIY with a can of spray paint. On the other hand, the interior is said to be original and kept in very clean condition. Incidentally, the 1800TS is the top grade with a twin-cab 1.8L engine and features a red TS badge on the front grille, C-pillar area, and under the left side tail light.
A sedan version sibling of the little-known 117 Coupe
The Isuzu Florian is a sibling car that shares components with the 117 Coupe and was introduced in 1967. Incidentally, “117” is the development code common to both cars, and the history of the Floriant is that it was a 117 saloon, and as its coupe version, the 117 coupe became the car’s name as it was. Although it is not well known because it is hidden behind the 117 Coupe, Carrozzeria Ghia also designed the body of the Florian, and the four-door sedan with six-light windows was an outstanding design even at that time.
The front mask underwent three major changes: the original horizontal, odd-shaped headlights were replaced by four round eyes in the middle model, and then by four square eyes in the later model. The 1972 model introduced here is right in the middle of the three changes. </p
By the way, the front section with round eyes and four lights was shared by the Faster pickup truck and its 4WD version, the Faster Rodeo 4WD, when they debuted, and the LUV, which was also supplied to GM on an OEM basis, has the same face.
Comfortable even with a suspended cooler thanks to ideas and ingenuity.
Mr. Miyanaga also owns a 117 coupe, and since many of the worn parts such as the suspension and engine are common, he has been collecting worn parts that he may need in the future. As for body parts, there are currently no missing parts, so he is relieved for now. The 1800cc SOHC engine, which is the same as that of the “Verretto,” is said to be in good shape, although he only rides it for events and club meetings these days.
Look inside the car and you will see a unique dash with ovals lined up on both sides. This design is also shared with the Faster. A cooler evaporator is suspended at the foot of the passenger seat, but we found something unfamiliar in the vent.
“It’s made from a plastic bottle, so it doesn’t blow air directly to the passenger, but to me in the driver’s seat!
translated by DeepL