Isuzu Florian

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Isuzu Florian
Late-model Isuzu Florian
Manufacturer Isuzu
Production 1967-1983
Predecessor Isuzu Bellel
Successor Isuzu Aska
Class Intermediate
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
Engine(s) 1.6 L PA20 I4
1.8 L PA30 I4
1.8 L PAD20 diesel I4
2.0 L C19 diesel I4
Transmission(s) 3-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Related Isuzu 117 Coupe
Isuzu KB

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 the Isuzu 117 Coupe, with which it shares the complete chassis.

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 by Isuzu Aska in the Isuzu lineup. There were only 145,836 Florians produced during the 15 years of the model's existence. However, the pickup derivative, the Isuzu KB, was widely exported through Isuzu's relationship with General Motors, sold in North America as the Chevrolet Luv and in Europe and Australia as the Bedford KB.

[edit] Origins of the name

The Florian was not named after Saint Florian, but rather after the fictional Lipizzan white horse belonging to the Emperor of Austria, which is the focal character of Felix Salten's (the author of Bambi) 1934 novel, "Florian - the Emperor's Stallion". In 1940, a movie based on the book was released, entitled simply Florian.

[edit] External links

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