Fujimi 1968 Isuzu 117 Coupe

[Spottedlaurel]

The recent quick, simple build of a Monogram Triumph TR7 helped me to realise what I mostly enjoy, or at least have time for at present, so I picked another fairly basic but nicely proportioned kit out of the stash:

Something of a rarity outside Japan, and early ones like this are probably rather scarce there too as apparently they only made around 50 a year until 1972, then it kept going in higher volume production until 1981. Quite advanced with a DOHC engine, although still a solid rear axle on leaf springs.

Apparently this Fujimi kit dates back to 2004 and my issue had a few extra PE parts (not all of which I used). It's infinitely better than the Doyusha/Nostalgic Hero kit, and compares well with the more recent Hasegawa version (well, multiple versions!).

Mostly an OOB build, but with Dunlop alloy wheels and and period tyres from the Tamiya Lotus Europa Special kit.

Paintwork is Halfords automotive white primer, Tamiya TS-88 Titanium Silver and Mr Hobby gloss clear. All sprayed with cans.

Like the recent Tamiya Nissan 240ZG kit the side window mouldings are separate, plated parts. They seemed too shiny to me and wouldn't have matched the front and rear window trims so I covered them with BMF. For similar reasons I coated the wing mirrors with semi-gloss clear but I left the bumpers as they were. The front grille was completely plated and was detailed with matt black paint then wiped off the highlights.

 

 

Dashboard came out nicely with decals (apart from one that broke up) and PE bezels. Seats were painted brown, smoke and semi-gloss clear to recreate the rich leather trim I saw in a photo. Carpeted areas were done with imitation suede elbow patches.

I restricted my detailing of the underside to painting the mostly moulded-in exhaust system.

Turned out to be a delicate and attractive car, I'm pleased to have it in the cabinet.

[LennyB]

Sharp looking, good job. 

[Hi-Po]

Very nice, neat and clean.

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

Looks great.  Been thinking about getting one of these.

[karbuildr]

Very well done build, great color, nicely detailed.

[OldSkool81]

Great job! I really like these; IIRC I got the 117 Late Version with the square headlights in my stash. When I got my license in the late 90's, my dream car what an Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo AWD; I test drove a few Impulse XS and Asüna Sunfires (Canada-only equivalent of the 1992 and 1993 Impulse) but never bought one because they were still a bit pricey for my teen budget. I can see a lot of styling cues in the 1990 to 1993 Impulses that they took from the 117; there's defenitely a family ressemblance!

Edited February 16 by OldSkool81

[Jim B]

Nice looking Isuzu.  Don't see many of those.  Well done.

[Zoom Zoom]

That came out quite nice, I like the wheel swap. The Fujimi kit wasn't available for a long time, when I finally saw a real 117 locally it was quite striking, not only in style but in photos it looks like a much larger car than it actually is. They are tiny! Eventually Hasegawa offered their all-new 117 and I've build one of the first variant (it's a brilliant kit, goes together nicely, almost Tamiya-level) and bought one of the later versions to modify into something a little more evocative of the Italian style that these cars have. They were rare, mostly hand-built at least earlier on in the production cycle. 

Edited February 17 by Zoom Zoom

[stavanzer]

Great Build! I like the little Japanese sedans.

 

Good Show.

[slusher]

Beautifully done!