Bellett Fastback - What was it?

[degruch]

I'm intrigued by the Bellett Fastback, can't find much info online that isn't in Japanese, can any of you buffs fill me in on the history, how many built, when the were built, what spec, did any come here? It's a whacky looking machine, not as classy as a GT in my opinion, but a very striking car nonetheless.

What gives?

Cheers,
Duane

[dave]

Oh man this is probably got more issues than the PR91W! I remember hearing that a whole heap of them were hoarded by Isuzu and not sold until the 1980's although they did appear in some 1971-ish brochures....

Plus I also heard they were all white, but I've seen a metallic blue one in some Japanese photos... but of course that could have copped a spray job.

I'm sure some of our friends can fill us in a bit more about the PR91G (G for AWESOME).

Cheers,

Dave

[degruch]

For the uneducated...me...what is the PR91W?

I've seen the brochure, where it is depicted as the perfect vehicle for duck hunting, shot gun fitting nicely across the rear seat. The hoarding story sounds fascinating. Can anyone add some more info?

Thanks Dave!

Duane

[PR91]

PR91W = GT-R.

Bellett GT fastback was given the model code PR91G. Whether this was stamped into each fastback chassis number.... i honestly don't know as i haven't (yet ) seen one, nor have i seen any paperwork that shows a chassis number of a vehicle.
they were available in japan only, between september 1967 and october 1971. all were 1600cc, the first of them had the 'normal' G161 pushrod OHV engine until september 1969, and then they had the SOHC G161SS fitted (as all 1600 GT's had fitted from that date).
i have conflicting numbers on how many were built. a reliable source tells me that there were only 63-65 built, all in white. the october 1969 GT-R & GT brochure i have here (with it's 35 pages!!) shows the PR91G being only available in white too, but as dave stated, i've seen pics of other colours also, but these cars may have been re-paint at some stage.
another number published in a book gives the number of 349. either way, they are the rarest Bellett to wear a "GT" badge.
this is why they are very hard to find any info about, let alone anything that isn't in japanese.
as too why isuzu went to the effort of re-tooling and building them to begin with..........................
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hope this helps some.
cheers.

[degruch]

Cheers! You brochure sounds sweet, filled with oddball GT's.

Thanks for the info, the question 'why?' had sprung to mind, especially given the 117 appeared around the same time. Who knows what goes on in the crazy JDM?

If anyone has some nice pics, please post them.

Cheers,
Duane

[oz_toffa]

Isuzu -Sports have one for sale in the latest Nostalgia Hero magazine that arrived today.
There is also a story in the magazine about a owner in Japan with pictures.
They are asking 1,880,000 yen for it and it is white.

Cheaper than the restored GT-R's

I would have one over a GT or a GT-R any day of the week, dollar for dollar.

I can feel and trip to Japan coming on. Anyone else want to help fill a container back to AUS???

Chris

[PR91]

an owner over here was in japan a couple of years back, and saw a really nice one at 'eagle' (who i think has changed their name?).
worked out to be around the 4.5k aus mark. add shipping, and it'd be 8-9k, at a guess.
heaps cheaper than what good aus-delivered GT's go for now, and much rarer. u'd have the only one at a bellett get together!

i'll see if i can dig out a pic of 1 too.

[PR91]

here ya go.
pic taken at the tokyo motor show. unsure of year tho (my japanese is a bit engrish!)
possibly 1969, as i have a nice pic of a 'normal' GT the same styled stand, using the same public barriers and surroundings, at the TMS, dated 1969.

c3ca26708bad2a1d74e4ed25b937d562.jpg (43.68 KiB) Viewed 38021 times

as u can see, they are same as other bellett's from the front to the b pillar. the front used a 4 headlight deal, and another different grille to every other bellett was fitted. they have an obviously different roofline and rear treatment. the side rear windows are normal GT, but the rear window isn't, nor is the boot lid and the rest.
the tailights look very mazda rx-2, but the GT fasty was 4 years earlier......................
they were the usual GT underneath too.

[degruch]

Definately its best angle, from the few pics I've seen...mmmm, those GT hubcaps are tasty too (there must be a million of them around somewhere, as most GT's seem to be sans caps). Imagine breaking a rear screen though

Any idea who did the design work?

Yes Chris, I reckon I could stuff something into a container quite easily! How about a group purchase???

Duane

[PR91]

a group fastback purchase...................
if only the walls could talk, coz that's not as far fetched as it sounds!

[GTtoo]

great to see you're onto it PR91,

Maybe the reason why PR91G's EVER surfaced might be found deep in a Yakuza movie "about japanese car manufacturers" in the 60's.

And they're telling me PR90's are getting thin on the ground.

Precurser Mazda look alike rear !! But note the trademark rear guard ,and the the rear quater window (should I say "half window") only slightly elongated and angular. Also the popular twin pipes.

Hmmm, an interesting thought....PR91G rotary?, ( I hear everyone gasping ).....In ya dreams !!

B.

[PR91]

a rotiserie............... gee-bus.........
B, they're only any good for cooking the chook in mate!

and yep, PR90's are thin now..................
there was only 55 imported here, opposed to 235 PR91's (combined 91 number from the single headlight cars like yours and mine, and the later 4 headlight'ers like paul's and rod's).
i can count only 7 or 8-ish 90's left off the top of my head, where as there'd be 50 91's at a quick think.

i'd go a 91G for the "ohh wow!" factor, but there's another that'd be first in line.
read: KR10V = express wagon.......... and there is at least 1 left in japan, but no matter how much i water and fertilize my money tree, it just won't bloom fast enuf!

[P.R.90]

I believe from info passed on to me by visiting judges & a visiting Isuzu Car Life Manager Yashi Meiwa that there was 64 of the PR91G Bellett Fast back manufactured of which the was 2 for sale at Eagle , 2 on the Japanese race circuit (1 blue & 1 white ) the rest are alleged to be in a Mt Fuji private museum of a retired Isuzu Motors director al of the remaining fastbacks were offered to a couple of Bellett enthusiasts in approx 1993 -94 free of charge they only had to transport them to Australia obviously they didn't . The director alledgely has 1 of every model in the Bellett, Wasp & Florian range This info was passed on to me some years ago .
If some one is thinking of a bulk purchase of these vehicles count me in for 1.

[degruch]

What a bizarre state of affairs, having such a large quantity of cars stashed!?! Surely, although a mass release of 60-odd vehicles would flood the market, that would be a win win situation...who wouldn't consider it? I'd buy one, if the price wasn't ridiculous.

[2ldohc]

Bulk purchase of a Fastback?

I'm there. These are a very attractive car IMHO and I'd love to see a few in Aussie driveways.

Cheers,
R.

[dave]

How much for my wife? She's 5'10" and extremely strong. Very helpful for moving cars around the garage and bits of furniture.

I'm taking offers over $15,000.

Obviously if she ever becomes a member of Bellett.net (or, indeed reads over my shoulder), I'll be murdered. Been nice knowing you.

Because she knows all.

<end transmission>

[gt orphanage]

does she come with 50% of your car collection if so please supply car list.

[PR91]

How much for my wife? She's 5'10" and extremely strong. Very helpful for moving cars around the garage and bits of furniture.

I'm taking offers over $15,000.

Obviously if she ever becomes a member of Bellett.net (or, indeed reads over my shoulder), I'll be murdered. Been nice knowing you.

Because she knows all.

<end transmission>

i know your misses well dude.
top girl, but you're a gamer man than me................

[2ldohc]

I'm sure I've got her number here somewhere.... she'd be deeply offended... I'm pretty sure she's worth more than $15k and would come with a Florian at the very least

[PR95]

Just send her a copy of the post, hang around for the divorce and should be able to get 50% of the lot, not just the Flo.