Giugiaro’s Copernican Revolution: 1985 Isuzu Impulse Turbo
The Isuzu impulse has that unusual combination of Japanese durability, Italian styling (Giorgetto Giugiaro) and British suspension tuning. Don’t try and correct your television set — you read that correctly. Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign did the styling, Lotus designed/tuned the suspension, and assembly was finished by white-gloved experts in Fujisawa, Japan. Few of these remain on the road today and finding a good one is difficult. Find this 1985 Isuzu Impulse Turbo offered for $6,500 in Santa Ana, CA via faceplant suzubook.
From the seller:
1985 Isuzu Impulse Turbo
$6,500
Listed
2 weeks ago
in Santa Ana, CA
Details
Condition
Used – Fair
1985 Isuzu Impulse
126xxx miles
Clean title
Runs and drives
5 speed manual transmission, shifts well.
Fuel system completely clean and refreshed
All lights work
New spark plugs, oil, and air filter.
AC is not cold (probably just needs recharge) but who needs that when you have rear vents. I will include 2 boxes with spare parts. OBO as-is sale.
No trades.
See a car with better wheels? tips@dailyturismo.com
These early first-gen Impulses didn’t have the Lotus-redesigned suspension yet. That came with the updates for ’88-89. Easiest way to tell at a glance: the Lotus cars had smaller headlamps without the popup “eyelids”, revised taillights without the grid lines and no oblong trim panel between them, and of course “Handling by Lotus” badges on the tail, front fenders and dashboard.
Giugiaro calling this design his “fifth Copernican revolution” referred to it incorporating multiple innovations into a single, production-ready design, featuring concealed rain gutters, flush glass, hidden seams, and clamshell hood, tailgate, and doors that wrap into the surrounding bodywork.
That makes more sense — I was tryina figure out why this didn’t have the “Handling by Lotus” badges when previous versions featured did have ’em. Thanks for the clarification!
Also – it’s based on the Chevy Chevette. You can see the resemblance although it’s a very well executed restyle.
A/C “just needs a recharge” cost me $2000 on my 2000 Vette if that was all it needed they would have done it!