Isuzu Bellett

Isuzu Bellett: Which Version to Choose and Why

The Isuzu Bellett catalogue covers one generation of Coupe models produced from 1963 through 1973. Among the 12 listed specifications, the choice ranges from the 1.3 MT with 58 hp to the 1.6 MT with 120 hp. Every version uses a naturally aspirated Gasoline inline-four engine, a Manual gearbox and RWD.

The Isuzu Bellett catalogue covers one generation of Coupe models produced from 1963 through 1973. Among the 12 listed specifications, the choice ranges from the 1.3 MT with 58 hp to the 1.6 MT with 120 hp. Every version uses a naturally aspirated Gasoline inline-four engine, a Manual gearbox and RWD. The main buying decision is therefore about engine output, gearing, weight, ground clearance and suspension rather than body style or drivetrain. For the strongest performance, choose the 120 hp 1.6 MT; for the lowest kerb weight, consider the 70 hp 1.3 MT; and for the greatest listed torque, the 115 hp 1.8 MT provides 152 Nm.

Isuzu Bellett generations and versions

The Bellett has one listed generation, built from 1963 to 1973 as a Coupe. The database contains 28 modifications for this generation, of which 12 are detailed here. These specifications include two 1.3 MT versions, two 1.5 MT versions, six 1.6 MT versions and two 1.8 MT versions. Versions sharing the same name are distinguished below by horsepower because their performance and chassis figures can differ substantially.

Isuzu Bellett engine specs

The engine figures reveal several useful comparisons. The 58 hp and 70 hp 1.3 MT specifications share a displacement of 1,325 cc, but the latter adds 12 hp and 5 Nm. The two 1.5 MT versions both displace 1,471 cc; choosing the 77 hp specification adds 9 hp and 7 Nm over the 68 hp version.

The four 1,579 cc 1.6 MT specifications sit very close together. Their outputs range from 88 to 93 hp, while torque ranges from 122 to 127 Nm. The 1,584 cc versions create a clearer separation: the 103 hp 1.6 MT produces 133 Nm, whereas the 120 hp 1.6 MT adds 17 hp and 9 Nm.

The two 1.8 MT versions share a displacement of 1,817 cc. Moving from the 100 hp version to the 115 hp version adds 15 hp and 9 Nm. The 115 hp 1.8 MT has 10 Nm more torque than the 120 hp 1.6 MT, although the 1.6 MT has 5 hp more power.

Performance, top speed and mpg

No 0–100 km/h result is measured for any listed Bellett, and city, highway and combined fuel-consumption figures are also not measured. Consequently, no supported mpg comparison can be made.

Top speed provides the direct performance comparison that is available. The 120 hp 1.6 MT reaches the highest listed figure at 190 km/h. That is 10 km/h above the 115 hp 1.8 MT and 20 km/h above both the 103 hp 1.6 MT and the 100 hp 1.8 MT. At the other end, the 58 hp 1.3 MT reaches 135 km/h. The 70 hp 1.3 MT matches the 68 hp 1.5 MT at 145 km/h, while all four 1,579 cc 1.6 MT versions are listed at 160 km/h despite their different outputs.

Isuzu Bellett dimensions, weight and ground clearance

Overall exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied specifications. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every listed version. The available practical comparisons are kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance and fuel-tank capacity.

All versions carry the same 40 L tank, so tank capacity does not distinguish them. The 70 hp 1.3 MT is the lightest at 910 kg, while the 120 hp 1.6 MT is the heaviest at 970 kg, a difference of 60 kg. The greatest ground clearance is 215 mm, available on both 1.5 MT versions and on the 88 hp and 92 hp 1.6 MT versions. The 115 hp 1.8 MT has the lowest clearance at 160 mm.

Suspension specifications also affect the comparison. Both 1.3 MT versions use Independent, spring suspension at the front and rear. Every other listed version combines Independent, spring front suspension with Dependent, spring rear suspension. All listed Bellett versions use Drum front and Drum rear brakes.

Which Isuzu Bellett version should you buy?

For outright performance, the 120 hp 1.6 MT is the clear choice. Its 190 km/h top speed leads the range, and its 1,584 cc engine produces about 75.8 hp per litre. Its 970 kg kerb weight works out to about 8.1 kg per hp. The trade-off is a 195 mm ground clearance, which is 20 mm below the highest listed clearance.

For the strongest torque, choose the 115 hp 1.8 MT. Its 152 Nm is the maximum in the supplied data, while its 180 km/h top speed is 10 km/h below that of the 120 hp 1.6 MT. At 950 kg, it carries about 8.3 kg per hp. Its 160 mm clearance is the lowest in the range, however, and sits 55 mm below the 215 mm maximum.

The 103 hp 1.6 MT offers a useful middle position. It reaches 170 km/h, matching the 100 hp 1.8 MT, but weighs 930 kg instead of 945 kg. Its weight-to-power figure is about 9.0 kg per hp, compared with about 9.5 kg per hp for the 100 hp 1.8 MT. The 1.8 MT counters with 143 Nm, 10 Nm more than the 1.6 MT’s 133 Nm.

Among the 1,579 cc choices, the 93 hp 1.6 MT has the strongest combined output at 93 hp and 127 Nm, but its 205 mm clearance is 10 mm below the 88 hp and 92 hp versions. All four weigh 940 kg and reach 160 km/h. The 92 hp version is unusual within this group because it has more power than the 90 hp model but 5 Nm less torque. A buyer prioritising the published figures can therefore choose the 93 hp version for maximum power and joint-highest torque, or the 88 hp version for 215 mm clearance.

For a lighter specification, the 70 hp 1.3 MT is preferable to the 58 hp 1.3 MT on the available numbers. It is 5 kg lighter, has 12 hp more power, produces 5 Nm more torque and reaches a top speed 10 km/h higher. It also has a 4-speed Manual gearbox instead of the 58 hp version’s 3-speed Manual, while both retain 205 mm of ground clearance and fully Independent, spring suspension.

The final decision is straightforward: buy the 120 hp 1.6 MT for maximum power and top speed, the 115 hp 1.8 MT for maximum torque, the 103 hp 1.6 MT for a strong performance-to-weight compromise, or the 70 hp 1.3 MT for the lowest kerb weight. If ground clearance is the priority, restrict the shortlist to the 68 hp 1.5 MT, 77 hp 1.5 MT, 88 hp 1.6 MT and 92 hp 1.6 MT, all listed at 215 mm. Reliability and problems are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot be used to rank these versions.