6/6/2006
CARSPOTTING, 06/05 (BUT LATE)
Spotted whilst dropping off Daughter 1.0 at school yesterday morning: an Isuzu Axiom, the last Isuzu you could buy in the US that wasn’t just a rebadged General Motors product.
That’s a little ironic when you consider that Isuzu got its start in the US by building Chevies, specfically, the atrociously-named Chevy Luv (1972-1981). Isuzu also built a few Buicks, after a fashion: the “Opel Isuzu” which was later sold under Isuzu’s own name as the I-Mark. Isuzu also produced the little-remembered Chevy/Geo Spectrum from 1985 through 1989.
Trucks have always been Isuzu’s métier, however. They even managed to snag Honda as a customer. The Honda Passport was naught but a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo. The Isuzu Trooper maintains a considerable cult following . . . and then there’s this thing,, which appears to be styled after a dental appliance which once frightened Lisa Simpson.
But let’s face it . . . this is what we remember Isuzu for:
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The first car my wife and I purchased together was a 1988 Geo Spectrum. We were feeling all proud because it was only *three* years old at the time!!!
Comment by Jon — 6/6/2006 @ 9:32 am
Based on our experience, married couples should not purchase cars together. Just buying a used minivan together was a hideous, stressful experience. Joint bank accounts, yes, but when it comes time to buy a vehicle, it’s every person for himself or herself.
Comment by Scribleris — 6/6/2006 @ 10:12 am
I abslutely LOVE my ‘95 Trooper. It’s my first Isuzu, but it may not be my last…
I loved those Joe Isuzu commercials.
Comment by Tom G — 6/6/2006 @ 1:20 pm
Whatever happened to David Leisure (aka Joe Isuzu)?
Comment by Paul — 6/7/2006 @ 6:40 am
IMDB says he’s recently made a couple direct-to-video golf comedies. They tried to bring Joe Isuzu back a couple years ago, but I guess the magic was gone.
Comment by Scribleris — 6/7/2006 @ 9:40 am