1972 Isuzu Unicab [KR85]
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![1972 Isuzu Unicab [KR85]](/i876363.jpg)
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Comments about this vehicle
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◊ 2016-01-08 13:07 |
Insteresting... DCM442 not found on Victoria register. |
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◊ 2016-01-08 16:48 |
Can't find anything but looks like there's a Japanese 4x4 of some kind (Nissan Patrol?) under that by the wheel design. |
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◊ 2016-01-08 18:19 |
I keep thinking this is a Nissan Patrol too. Maybe they wanted to modify it like s 2WD Jeep DJ-3 Surrey. |
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◊ 2016-01-09 13:09 |
It may use some Datsun Patrol featuring (headlights) but has TOTALLY different proportions. Hasn't offroad clearance even. Could be base on British FWD car [ADO16?]. The body panels look plastic.  |
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◊ 2016-01-09 13:18 |
Agree it looks like fibreglass or plastic body, and therefore probably a kit-car/conversion. But no idea what. Wheels and lights are wrong for ADO16 - wheels look a bit early Land Rover??? |
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◊ 2016-02-06 09:57 |
People, this is an Isuzu Unicab, approx 1972. It's a bit hard to see in the screen shot, but the word "ISUZU" is embossed above the grille. The model code was 'KR85' as it has the 'troopy-style' rear seating (ie sideways bench seats) and an official seating capacity for six. This version runs a 1500cc G150 Isuzu Bellett motor. There was also a lesser version; the 'KR80' which had a regular, forward-facing rear bench, a seating capacity for five and a 1300cc G130 Isuzu Bellett motor. I have documentation that reports that the bodies were built (from steel) in the Philippines and affixed to a fully imported Isuzu Wasp chassis; the Wasp being the ute/pick-up version of the Isuzu Bellett. I suspect they were also fully constructed in Japan for their own domestic consumption; they were certainly marketed there as I have several brochures spanning around 1969 to 1972, covering two generations of both the KR80 and the KR85. The differences were minimal; colours mainly, the introduction of high-back front seats and the finish of the gauge cluster went from body-coloured to crinkle-finish black. Although they present as an off-road buggy, they are rear-wheel-drive only. They share the exact chassis from the Wasp (I'm told the bodies are interchangeable), run a six-lug wheel with huge drum brakes and, like the Wasp, were mechanically completely different to the Bellett aside from the actual engines. Interior-wise, the steering wheel was pure Bellett/Wasp along with the speedo, however the temperature and fuel gauges were separate gauges lifted from the upmarket Isuzu Bellett 1600GT, rather than utilising the combined gauge from the Bellett sedan and Wasp. Seating I think was bespoke to the Unicab, as mentioned above with sideways rear seats for the KR85. I bought this exact ex-Seachange Isuzu Unicab in about 2010 as an unfinished project with a heap of rust repairs already done and in undercoat ready to paint, however as at today I've not made any further progress on it as there are several detail repairs to be made (plus I have other projects). The all-steel body is now excellent but the windscreen surround is more rust than surround, the 'door' poles (visible in the screen shot) are missing and so are the original Everwing mirrors, however I have just secured a NOS set from Cyprus! It's believed to be the only Unicab in Australia and I can't confirm how it got here; they were sold new in Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan at least, so I would presume it was via one of those countries. I've seen the cars are still photographed in those countries; there are Unicabs in museums in Japan and I've seen them for sale for around AUD$10,000. They also appear for sale in Indonesia for a lesser amount, although restoration is not normally their thing; their Unicabs are often heavily customised. A few years back, I watched about 75% of Seachange on fast-motion to try to catch a glimpse of the now-famous David Wenham driving the decided less-famous Unicab, however I gave up. I had checked the IMCDB a few years ago and found nothing and only thought to re-check just now; amazingly all the chatter about this car has occurred since in the last month! If someone could update the listing to show 'Isuzu Unicab' that would be great; I don't really know how! -- Last edit: 2016-02-06 10:08:41 |
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◊ 2016-02-06 09:57 |
Also, now I know the original colour! Now I'm torn; I wanted to paint it the factory orange hue... |
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◊ 2017-03-08 11:35 |
Correction, official seating capacity is eight!!! |
