JAA
JAEN
Silver 1979 Isuzu 117 Coupe XE, front three-quarter view.

117 CoupéPA90

V0056

MAKER
ISUZU
YEARS
1968–1981
CODE
PA90 / PA95 / PA96
TYPE
COUPÉ / GRAND TOURER
ORIGIN
JAPAN
Photo: TTTNIS / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

01 — Overview

Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the 117 Coupé was among the first Japanese cars designed by an Italian stylist. Early 'handmade' cars were largely hand-finished, and in 1970 it gained electronic fuel injection, a first for a Japanese car.

02 — Historical context

Historicalcontext.

  1. 01

    The 117 was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and was one of the first Japanese cars designed by an Italian stylist.

    Source: Isuzu 117 Coupé — Wikipedia (English)
  2. 02

    The Ghia/Isuzu 117 Sport prototype debuted at the March 1966 Geneva Motor Show and won a concours d'élégance award there, per Japanese Wikipedia.

    Source: いすゞ・117クーペ — ウィキペディア日本語版
  3. 03

    Early cars were largely hand-finished at up to about 50 a month and are known as 'handmade' models; 2,458 were built from December 1968 to late 1972.

    Source: Isuzu 117 Coupé — Wikipedia (English)
  4. 04

    In 1970 it gained Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, a first for a Japanese car.

    Source: Isuzu 117 Coupé — Wikipedia (English)
  5. 05

    Mass production began in March 1973 amid Isuzu's cooperation with General Motors.

    Source: Isuzu 117 Coupé — Wikipedia (English)

03 — Engineering

Technicalspecifications.

Manufacturer
Isuzu
Chassis / model codes
PA90 / PA95 / PA96
Production
1968-12 – 1981-05
Body styles
2-door coupé
Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine
G161WInline-4 · 1,584 cc · Naturally aspirated
Transmission
4-speed manual / 5-speed manual (from 1976) / 3-speed automatic (from 1975)
Length × width × height
4,280 × 1,600 × 1,320 mm
Wheelbase
2,500 mm
Units built
86,192
People
Giorgetto Giugiaro (Carrozzeria Ghia)

Figures follow the sources listed below. Values vary by market, variant and year; anything we could not verify is omitted. Power is shown in the unit the source used (PS / hp / kW).

04 — Gallery

Silver 1979 Isuzu 117 Coupe XE, front three-quarter view.
TTTNIS / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

05 — Related

Relatedmachines.

06 — Sources

  1. 01Isuzu 117 Coupé – WikipediaWikipedia · reference · accessed 2026-09-26
  2. 02いすゞ・117クーペ – Wikipedia (ja)Wikipedia · reference · accessed 2026-09-26

07 — Photo credits

  • Silver 1979 Isuzu 117 Coupe XE, front three-quarter view.

    Isuzu 117 Coupé

    Silver 1979 Isuzu 117 Coupe XE, front three-quarter view.

    ByTTTNIS

    CC0 · Wikimedia Commons