1966 Isuzu Bellett 1500 ratter

[dave]

Hey guys,

I just noticed that I never put pics up of my 'ratter' Bellett.

Sure, there are stacks of pics of it in various places on the forum; Nationals pics (was at the Adelaide Nationals), SA events, etc.

So here's a section just for it.

It's a 1966.5 model, built in approximately November 1967 if this theory here (http://www.bellett.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=685) is accurate.

It has the old-model roofline and is the 1783rd-to-last built before the roof changed over to the revised shape.

This is how the car came into my possession.

Long before Bellett.net, a fella rang me to say he had a Bellett GT shell and a spare sedan and wanted to part with them. He wanted to sell it all, but if I didn't come and get it, it would all go to the tip.

Needless to say, that would not do. So I offered him $300, which he rejected... in favour of towing it to the tip... OK...

I ended up offering him $700 which he accepted. It took me about 3 trips to and from his house at the opposite end of Adelaide just to move the parts, then two more trips; one for the GT shell and one for the daggy sedan.

Here it is on the way home:

01 - Bellett and VY panno - 02.JPG (65.35 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

He'd repainted his sedan for his daughter to drive, but she hated it (and bought a 180SX; you can buy performance, but not taste), so it sat in his back yard for about 6-7 years, deteriorating.

His paint job wasn't overly well prepped, resulting in the fine patina you see on it now.

I was going to wreck it for parts. It had a bit of rust, but ran a nice 1600cc Florian motor and Galant disc-brake conversion. It had also had a second leaf put in the back. It sat out the front, then I even agreed to sell it for $300 less the motor, but then my Mum got sick.

Here it is sitting in my old front yard:

02 - Isuzu Bellett - Red - 1967.jpg (108.75 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

I needed another daily driver, so I got the exhaust fixed, threw some tyres on it, then hit the road.

We took it to 2lDOHC Ross's house for the work to get it running again:

03 - Isuzu Bellett - Rat Bellett - 02.JPG (40.12 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

My wife and I daily drove it for a few months, otherwise I would use it on days I saw Mum (which was still more than 50% of the time).

Here's a pic of it with the boot full of crap - super dumped!!!

04 - Really dumped Isuzu Bellett - 02.JPG (37.74 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

It also managed to pop up on Google Streetview; both on South Road in my work car park (albeit not very clearly...) and here in Bagot Street, North Adelaide, outside my wife's old work address.

06 - Google Streetview - Bellett Bagot Street.JPG (51.34 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

I did take it to a few shows, just for fun. Here it is at the first All Japan Day, complete with minilites and 2nd hand tyres.

05 - Bellett at All Japan Day.jpg (65.31 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

I eventually removed the wide minilites and put those tyres on my GT, then put a set of stockies on the car so I could get historic rego in SA. I used the powdery re-treads that had come on 2ldohc Ross's sedan (ie the ones he felt were too dangerous to actually use!!!) and drove it around like that for a while.

I threw the keys to Gav for the 2009 Bay to Birdwood...

07 - Isuzu Bellett - 079 - Dave's ratter driven by Gav.jpg (70.7 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

15 - ratter Bellett from sedan.JPG (105.3 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

I was also invited to take part in a "rat shoot' for a magazine article. There, it would be joined with an awesome Toyota Lite Stout, BMW 2002, Porsche 356, VW Beetle, KE10 Toyota Corolla, 1955 Desoto Diplomat Plaza and my Wasp. Unfortunately no magazine article eventuated, but we had a fun time.

08 - Isuzu Bellett 1500 - Dave.JPG (35.47 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

We also did the awesome annual Rock N Roll Rendezvous held up at Birdwood. Here it is next to my mate's Desoto that was in the rat shoot.

08 - Isuzu Bellett ratter - 03.JPG (92.75 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

Using strategically cut vinyl, traced from pics I found off the Net, I managed to create this kind-of reverse-paint pin-up girl graphic, while plastic pinstriping tape placed on the car, then lifted off created the reverse pinstripes.

10 - Isuzu Bellett ratter bonnet.JPG (21.54 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

I also added some Japanese writing on the door. Not know what to write, I put "Ginza Province Isuzu Taxi" into Google Translate, then put the result into WordArt, then sent it off to my signwriter mate, stuck it all on, peeled it off and got EXACTLY the desire effect! I overheard an old farmer musing about it at the rural Cavalcade of Cars in Kadina "Must've been some kind of Hong Kong taxi!!!" Close, old fella.

11 - Isuzu Bellett ratter sedan - 01.jpg (52.36 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

12 - Isuzu Bellett ratter sedan - 02.jpg (51.82 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

Eventually I put the Cooper Trendsetters I had set aside for my teardrop on the ratter; because the teardrop wasn't hitting the road anytime soon and the tyres were pushing 7 years old having had about 500 miles put under them. At the same time, I removed the chrome trims and fitted a set of meshy wire trims. Similar items were fitted to dodgy, locally-constructed Bellett Deluxes (made out of non-Deluxes) and were also a popular aftermarket thing. Especially on VW Beetles, I recall...

I guess there are really awesome aspects to the old Ratter Bellett. One, it drives, stops and handles like no Bellett should with what it has; all old crap thru it. At the risk of jinxing myself, all I've done so far is change the oil, aftermarket brake booster and.... that's all I can think of. I've probably spent less than $500 on it, tyres aside.

The other really good thing about the ratter is that it's incredibly photogenic when it wants to be. You know the story; some girls are hottt, but when you take a photo of them they look like hell, while other girls that might be construed as plain or a bit odd looking (or, let's face it, just plain fugly), might always - almost without fail, take an awesome photo.

The Ratter is a bit like that; it's not particularly pretty to look at, but once it's all Autosolled up and been treated to a wipe down with a towel, it actually looks pretty cool. Obviously. It's a Bellett.

13 - Ratter Bellett - 01 - with Sarah.JPG (84.99 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

14 - Ratter Bellett - 02.JPG (75.49 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

15 - Retroscene - Isuzu Bellett 1500 ratter - 03.JPG (118.89 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

It received positive attention at an informal "Pizza'n'Cars" gathering down in Middleton too...

16 - Isuzu Bellett ratter, Holden Gemini coupe and rods in background.JPG (60.72 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

17 - Isuzu Bellett ratter.JPG (67.56 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

The other day, when I put my Watanabes on it. Technically that's not cool under the club rego rules, but I've just put them on until I get my new GT, plus they are an era-spec wheel. Some cars on club rego seem to get away with old-school mags in the style of the period, some don't.

Here it is at the Uraidla Classic & Hot Rod Picnic, parked next to BettyBellett Leigh's almost identical, Roman Red 1966.5 sedan!

20 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 05.JPG (69.44 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

19 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 01.JPG (94.22 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

18 - Isuzu Belletts - Dave's ratter and Leigh's sedan - 06.JPG (72.06 KiB) Viewed 42031 times

So that's the story of the Ratter Bellett!

[mrflibbles]

love it! nothing wrong with a rat!

[ledmeter]

I love it too! Love the timeline and subtle changes & custom trickery. She looks beautiful. I can't wait to get mine out of storage on thursday! Bit scared though. She'll definitely be in need of love.

[BULLITT]

what a bloody good read.. fantastic shots.. and you know its exact history what about some on the gt? cheers davo

[yellowperil]

Great story Dave
You're right, a "good" ratter does have a certain appeal about it.
Loved the paintwork tricks. Thanks for taking the time to put it up for us.

YP

[oz_toffa]

Super story there Dave.

Thanks for taking the time to put it up.

We all love to follow the Provenance


OZ

[claws]

Nice photos. Anything else there you've forgoten to put up photos of Dave

[Barney]

Looks great Dave, wish my bellett looked half as good, instead of ratty it just has bad paint!

[Stickman]

Donkey would look great parked on the grass next to your ratter Dave.

[1968GT]

Dave,
What a great read and story, how could you do anything to it now
Ratter has so much history with you, behind it or under it now, it deserves not to be "modified"

This is what GREAT STUFF, is made of
Dave M.

[GTtoo]

So surprised to find out the "RAT" has not been exposed on "My Bellett" yet, until now. Us fortunate folk who are in the neighbourhood have become accustomed to seeing it and it's great owner around the traps. And it's always exiting to rock up along side in another Bellett.

Many a true word about Ratters, Belletts, Women and photogeneality Dave, as only YOU can express this.

It was on a cold dark morning 4 years ago at about 5 am, I first met the man and his Ratter. It was at a servo on highway 1, and we were ready to embark on a 200 km round trip to a show near Kadina, both the Ratter and my Blue Beastie. What I didn't know back then, it was to be the begining of some awesome and unusual connection which the path of life sometimes leads you down by default. I still remember the shear excitement and intrepidness of the day. And things haven't changed !!

Well, here are a few quick photo additions as I've known the Rat in this short time,

[dave]

I put this stuff up and forgot to check the thread again.

Thanks for the nice words; it's good to hear that people appreciate it, even though it's daggy. I like it the way it is... I had grand plans for a matt-black paintjob when I first started driving it, but the Roman Red has a certain authenticity... even if it is a dodgy spray job over dodgy prep-work over original paint! It's an archaelogical dig right there!

Nice photos. Anything else there you've forgoten to put up photos of Dave

Yes Claws... there are others.... but they need love before they get coverage!

Dave

[Farmer]

19%20-%20Isuzu%20Belletts%20-%20Dave's%20ratter%20and%20Leigh's%20sedan%20-%2001[1].JPG (94.22 KiB) Viewed 41590 times

Well looky here! I've found another!

Belletts (4)_resize.JPG (100.17 KiB) Viewed 41590 times

And yep, thats my driveway.
EVERYBODY should have a Roman Red Ratter!

I read your story here a while ago, sorry about the slow reply. I too enjoyed the read, and the little changes. I like how this car seems to go a lot of places with you, and it always gets attention. I reckon it's fine just the way it is. With any car, while there isn't rust to be dug out it's good to be able to just enjoy them.

The car above? Well maybe I should start it a thread, It came to me as part of the job-lot with Aunty Mary, I've just been slack enough not to take any pics until now. BUT the time has come for some love.
Starts (real easy), drives, but doesn't stop (without a hill) so first up might be brakes.

Cheers & thanks for showing,
Matt.

[mrflibbles]

yes everyone should own a rat at some stage!

[Glenn]

Those Roman's sure painted a lot of cars.

[KJB]

I have got my Roman Red ..........
KB

[Glenn]

they are coming out of the woodwork! Used to have one myself, long gone now though....

there is something nice about that colour.

[BULLITT]

did you say roamin ...oh sorry ..2 blokes and wifes are roman around nth qld and in indonesia lucky buggers ..cmon kerry its time you went ..roami roamin roamin down the river (murray that is ) cheers davo ...farmer yet another fine x blackwell car from wangaratta its funny i called tn there while visiting the grices gary capps dad was alan capp who had a big dealer ship in wang my dad worked for him as a panelbeater/painter in the 60/s my first bellet bought from blackys old man (jack) and i side swipped a cattle truck and got s/h doors guess what colour they were on my the blue car ...yep you guessed it ............roman red ..

[gricey]

In Asia not Indonesia Dave. Spotted quite a few Honda Dax bikes kjb would be over the moon. Gricey

[KJB]

Dave ,
We are just back from 3 weeks in Vanuatu.... and you want us to head off again,give us a break please! There were Belletts in Port Vila in the early days, I have spoken to the importer,he brought some into Vanuatu to try and create some interest in Rallying and hence sell more cars but did not really work....he went on to sell Isuzu trucks and has just relinquished the dealership.
(By the way, I could not find any Bellett left overs...............)
KB