Isuzu Unicab

Production period:	1967 to 1974
Class:	motor car
Body versions:	Pickup, Cabriolet
Engines:	Gasoline : 1.3-1.6 litres
Length:	143.90 in, 3,655 mm
Width:	59.05 in, 1,500 mm
Height:	67.32 in, 1,710 mm
Wheelbase:	82.68 in, 2,100 mm
Curb weight:	2,172 1b, 985 kg
Price new	¥ 490,005

The Isuzu Unicab (Yunikyabu) was the first SUV that Isuzu produced from 1967 to 1974. 

History

The model was first introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show 1966 and offered from July 1967 on the domestic market at a price of ¥  490,005.

 The Unicab was initially only as a pickup with 4 seats. In 1970, the model was offered with 2 side benches on the loading area, which increased the capacity to 8 seats from the KR85 type, with 2 front seats and 3 rear seats facing each other. Shortly after the launch, the model was also offered with soft top and was now available as a convertible. The windscreen could be folded, which was not allowed due to new safety standards from 1970 and was changed in production. The front and rear suspension was the company's small truck with independent, wishbones, torsion telescopic dampers and rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings at the rear.

 The Unicab was designed more for younger buyers than recreational vehicles and for the city and therefore had no four-wheel drive. However, the concept for the Japanese domestic market was too early to attract this kind of buyers. Accordingly, sales were low and production stopped in 1974. it was not until Six years later, that Isuzu introduced in 1980 with the Isuzu Faster Rodeo for the first time a SUV with four-wheel drive.

 Initially, it was powered by a 1.3-liter gasoline engine with 1 Hitachi-Solex downdraught carburettor this early KR80 type engine was also a 1.3-liter G130 type engine for Bellett, which was later enlarged to 1.5 and 1.6 litre engines, which are also common in the Bellett and Florian.

PERFORMANCE:1.5L
max power (SAE): 68 hp at 5,000 rpm
max torque (SAE) : 82 1b ft, 11.3 kg m at 2,200 rpm
specific power; 46.2 hp/l
power-weight ratio: 32 lb/hp, 14.5 kg/hp
speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 14.9 mph, 24 km/h
fuel consumption: 33.2 m/ imp gal, 27.7 m/US gal, 8.5 1 x 100 km.