Joe Isuzu - LotusTalk

tsunami racer · 03-04-2008, 02:00 PM

I had totally forgotten but I guess technically this was my first "Lotus" involved car:

1987 Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo

It was the first year of the Impulse with the Lotus-tuned suspension, but the year before they started putting the "Handling by Lotus" badges on it. Giugiaro designed original model. 1987 RS's only came in white with white wheels. It was a fantastic car for its time and was practical too. 1988 got the badges (we don't need no stinkin...) but they also got the annoying automatic seatbelts too. Sad to see that Isuzu has pulled out the US passenger vehicle market. They had some fun cars in the 80/90's.

Flash G · 03-04-2008, 02:18 PM

Where's Joe Isuzu?

.

codymac · 03-04-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash G

Where's Joe Isuzu?

Found him...

kestrel74 · 03-04-2008, 02:55 PM

[quote=codymac;947075]Found him...
QUOTE]

What a piece of work he was !!

DragonRider1 · 03-04-2008, 03:23 PM

Yep, and to think that compared to most of the Stealerships, he was more honest! Come to think of it, he'd be the most honest candidate in the presidential race...

JohnnyQuik · 03-04-2008, 03:50 PM

I remember when those came out. I was 12 or 13 and I remember thinking the fighter jet dash was the coolest interior I'd ever seen. I went to school with a guy we called Joe Isuzu because of the BS stories he told. We had a cardboard sign the said "He's Lying" that someone would hold up whenever he was talking.

Icedog_16 · 03-04-2008, 04:38 PM

I remember hating the Impulse because I had a VW Scirocco 16V at the time and it was a blatant ripoff IMO. I've chilled since then.

tsunami racer · 03-04-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

I remember hating the Impulse because I had a VW Scirocco 16V at the time and it was a blatant ripoff IMO. I've chilled since then.

it's funny cuz giugiaro designed the first scirocco (1974?) and then designed the Piazza/Impulse for 1981. the MKII scirocco came out a year later in 1982, but was designed in house at VW i think. so who's copying who??

but yes, both were very similar designs.

wallabyguy · 03-04-2008, 08:04 PM

My first car was a 1984 Impluse. It was awesome (well at least in my memory). It gave me no problems through the 45k miles I put on it. I also feel it was a huge shame that first, Isuzu moved away from cars and now is gone altogether. Of course, Isuzu for the past 5 years has been a bunch of GM also-rans.

The Impluse was originally a design proposed by Giugiaro to VW for the MK II Scirocco. The two companies could not come to terms and Giugiaro sold the design to Isuzu. VW emulated the design.

brgelise · 06-16-2008, 12:22 PM

I had 2 Impulses. The first was a 1986 Turbo that constantly lit up the inside tires because it had no limited slip. The dash was awesome. Suspension issues though. Springs were way too soft! Bottomed out readily.
Then I had a1992 Impulse RS and it was affectionately called the brick. Handling was bulletproof with the RE71's I bought, still miss that car as I wanted to work on it. As many of you know, it had the same motor as the early 1990's Elan. Was easy to pump up over 200HP which was pretty good considering it was on ~2800lbs.

roffle waffle · 06-26-2008, 02:58 PM

the ad says "140 exhilerating horsepower" hahahahha

kestrel74 · 06-26-2008, 03:48 PM

Even in 2008 he doesn't look too bad for an ol guy !

shay2nak · 06-28-2008, 09:55 PM

what is he now? like 80? LOL

FLuXeXigeS · 06-28-2008, 10:11 PM

Isuzu Impulse - "faster than a speeding bullet"

Gizmo3000 · 06-28-2008, 10:39 PM

My dad got one of the first ones to hit the states (each dealer received 2).

He let me take it out a few times the first week he had it, and I got quite a few looks!

- just like I do in my Elise every time I take it out.

brgelise · 06-29-2008, 10:02 AM

In an era where the Eclipse and Talon were the AWD kings, I had its nemesis cause I was lighter, quicker, and handled much better!!

03-04-2008, 02:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
tsunami racer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Playa Vista, CA Posts: 359	Joe Isuzu I had totally forgotten but I guess technically this was my first "Lotus" involved car: 1987 Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo It was the first year of the Impulse with the Lotus-tuned suspension, but the year before they started putting the "Handling by Lotus" badges on it. Giugiaro designed original model. 1987 RS's only came in white with white wheels. It was a fantastic car for its time and was practical too. 1988 got the badges (we don't need no stinkin...) but they also got the annoying automatic seatbelts too. Sad to see that Isuzu has pulled out the US passenger vehicle market. They had some fun cars in the 80/90's. Attached Images __________________ 2007 EXIGE S - Nightfall/Black 2007 Lotus Elise (sold) 2004 Subaru STi (sold) 1989 Metro Bus Pass (sold) 1984 BMX Dirt Bike (sold) 1979 Big Wheel (sold)

03-04-2008, 02:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Flash G Double Trouble Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Hills Posts: 2,452	Where's Joe Isuzu? . __________________ Turn your flatscreen TV into a work of art. Modern Art DVD \| Plasma Aquarium DVD \| Widescreen Fireplace DVD 11 Esprit??? (When can I place my deposit?!) 07 Exige S - Ardent Red, Stage II Exhaust, LSD, Touring pack 06 Range Rover Sport - Java Black 05 Elise - Ardent Red, Stage II Exhaust, Touring pack

03-04-2008, 02:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 7,188	[quote=codymac;947075]Found him... QUOTE] What a piece of work he was !! __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Sachs suspension / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ... "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

03-04-2008, 03:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
DragonRider1 Sports Photographer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Knoxville, Tn Posts: 1,354	Yep, and to think that compared to most of the Stealerships, he was more honest! Come to think of it, he'd be the most honest candidate in the presidential race... __________________ 2005 Elise Ardent Red/Black LSS, TP, HT, Knoxville, TN. Surrounded by: Deal's Gap (318 curves in 11 miles) Cherohala Skyway (45miles of sweeping mountain curves) Devil's Triangle (Deal's Gap but with more attitude) ...and of course, the Great Smokey Mountains Parks! Welcome to Elise Country

03-04-2008, 03:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
JohnnyQuik Registered lUser Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 278	I remember when those came out. I was 12 or 13 and I remember thinking the fighter jet dash was the coolest interior I'd ever seen. I went to school with a guy we called Joe Isuzu because of the BS stories he told. We had a cardboard sign the said "He's Lying" that someone would hold up whenever he was talking. __________________ JohnnyQuik current toys: '05 Elise '72/'79 MGB '06 Z4

03-04-2008, 04:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Icedog_16 He Hate Me Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,659	I remember hating the Impulse because I had a VW Scirocco 16V at the time and it was a blatant ripoff IMO. I've chilled since then.

03-04-2008, 08:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
wallabyguy Club111. Got the groove? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,278	My first car was a 1984 Impluse. It was awesome (well at least in my memory). It gave me no problems through the 45k miles I put on it. I also feel it was a huge shame that first, Isuzu moved away from cars and now is gone altogether. Of course, Isuzu for the past 5 years has been a bunch of GM also-rans. The Impluse was originally a design proposed by Giugiaro to VW for the MK II Scirocco. The two companies could not come to terms and Giugiaro sold the design to Isuzu. VW emulated the design. __________________ Robert (aka Sith Lord of LB) Former Lotus Sales now selling Mazdas for Faulkner Mazda in Philadelphia 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

06-16-2008, 12:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
brgelise Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 222	I had 2 Impulses. The first was a 1986 Turbo that constantly lit up the inside tires because it had no limited slip. The dash was awesome. Suspension issues though. Springs were way too soft! Bottomed out readily. Then I had a1992 Impulse RS and it was affectionately called the brick. Handling was bulletproof with the RE71's I bought, still miss that car as I wanted to work on it. As many of you know, it had the same motor as the early 1990's Elan. Was easy to pump up over 200HP which was pretty good considering it was on ~2800lbs. __________________ 05 Lotus Elise Sport Hardtop LRG red leather. 04 Skip Barber Race School, Competition certificate; 04 Jaguar XJ VandanPlas Radiance Red Ivory leather 04 Subaru WRXSTi WorldRallyBlue,360HP/390tq,FORSALE 06 Subaru Tribeca LTD 08 Isuzu Ascender Lux 1/3rd off invoice!

06-26-2008, 02:58 PM	#11 (permalink)
roffle waffle Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 12	the ad says "140 exhilerating horsepower" hahahahha __________________ http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6859/siggreybz8.jpg

06-26-2008, 03:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 7,188	Even in 2008 he doesn't look too bad for an ol guy ! Attached Images __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Sachs suspension / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ... "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

06-28-2008, 09:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
shay2nak GGM ENFORCER Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 12,655	what is he now? like 80? LOL __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 GG EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEO CLIPS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

06-28-2008, 10:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
FLuXeXigeS ...disappearing posts... Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal/AZ/NV Posts: 4,278	Isuzu Impulse - "faster than a speeding bullet" __________________ -Coi-'07 AR Exige S+Gotham, Von Hep, corner balanced&tuned SACHS, 6k HID, JVC KD-NX5000, Alpine 4ch. amp, JL stealth box, s111 rear towhook and harness bar, Starshield, TG4 1/4 turn fasteners, SS brake lines, bling bling eng bay, painted calipers, TD 1.2 wheels w/ Toyo R888, Safecraft harnesses, DRL delete, s111 CRD mount. add me: www.myspace.com/kandyredcoi & lotuscar.ning.com/profile/KandyRedCoi

06-28-2008, 10:39 PM	#15 (permalink)
Gizmo3000 Register Abuser Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sherman Oaks Posts: 750	My dad got one of the first ones to hit the states (each dealer received 2). He let me take it out a few times the first week he had it, and I got quite a few looks! - just like I do in my Elise every time I take it out. __________________ 2005 Starlight Black Elise, -hardtop/touring/black interior/sector111 carpet buttons! 1991 300ZX 2+2 1974 MGB Roadster

06-29-2008, 10:02 AM	#16 (permalink)
brgelise Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 222	In an era where the Eclipse and Talon were the AWD kings, I had its nemesis cause I was lighter, quicker, and handled much better!! __________________ 05 Lotus Elise Sport Hardtop LRG red leather. 04 Skip Barber Race School, Competition certificate; 04 Jaguar XJ VandanPlas Radiance Red Ivory leather 04 Subaru WRXSTi WorldRallyBlue,360HP/390tq,FORSALE 06 Subaru Tribeca LTD 08 Isuzu Ascender Lux 1/3rd off invoice!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 members and 2 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode