Isuzu Florian

Infobox Automobile


name = Isuzu Florian
manufacturer = Isuzu
production = 1967-1983
predecessor = Isuzu Bellel
successor = Isuzu Aska
class = Intermediate
body_style = 4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
engine = 1.6 L "PA20" I4
1.8 L "PA30" I4
1.8 L "PAD20" diesel I4
2.0 L "C19" diesel I4
transmission = 3-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
related = Isuzu 117 Coupe
Isuzu KB
similar = Toyota Corona
Nissan Bluebird

The Isuzu Florian was a intermediate car manufactured by Isuzu Motors Ltd. in Japan from 1967 to 1983. The Florian's body remained essentially the same through its unusually long life cycle, being afforded only two moderate facelifts. Isuzu Florian is closely related to the Isuzu 117 Coupe, with which it shares the complete chassis.

The Florian was originally available as a 4-door sedan and a 4-door [station wagon [ (the latter was later dropped). The Florian replaced the Isuzu Bellel and was in turn replaced by Isuzu Aska in the Isuzu lineup. There were only 145,836 Florians produced during the 15 years of the model's existence. The Florian was sold in limited markets across the globe as Isuzu's passenger products were, for the most part, not being sold through General Motors' channels.

However, the pickup derivative, the Isuzu KB, was widely exported and using Isuzu's relationship with General Motors, enjoyed a great market penetration than the sedan. The pickup was sold in North America as the Chevrolet LUV, in Europe as the Bedford KB and in Australia, through Holden, dealerships as both the Chevrolet LUV and later as the Isuzu KB.

Origins of the name

The Florian was not named after Saint Florian, but rather after the fictional Lipizzan white horse belonging to the Emperor of Austria, which is the focal character of Felix Salten's (the author of Bambi) 1934 novel, "Florian - the Emperor's Stallion". In 1940, a movie based on the book was released, entitled simply "Florian".

External links

* [http://home.hetnet.nl/~dcc/florian.htm Photos of 1969 and 1970 Florians]
* [http://www.isuzuownersclub.com/en/?fid=5&pid=10 1977 Florian on sale - big dashboard photo]
* [http://www.histomobile.com/1/Isuzu/1967/Florian_.htm?lan=1 Isuzu Florian specifications on histomobile.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032479/ "Florian" - the movie at Internet Movie Database]