- 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-doorstation 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 theIsuzu 117 Coupe , with which it shares the completechassis .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 byIsuzu 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 throughGeneral Motors ' channels.However, the
pickup derivative, theIsuzu KB , was widely exported and using Isuzu's relationship withGeneral Motors , enjoyed a great market penetration than the sedan. Thepickup was sold in North America as theChevrolet LUV , in Europe as theBedford KB and in Australia, throughHolden , dealerships as both theChevrolet LUV and later as theIsuzu KB .Origins of the name
The Florian was not named after
Saint Florian , but rather after the fictionalLipizzan white horse belonging to the Emperor of Austria, which is the focal character of Felix Salten's (the author ofBambi ) 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]
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