(Find issues of Legendary Japanese Cars on Ebay here)
When it comes to Japanese cars in scale form, it may seem at first glance we are oversubscribed. One can’t go far in this hobby without hitting a Nissan Skyline variant, a Toyota Supra, Datsun 510 etc. Sure, there’s a reason for that, mainly to do with trends and profit margins. But those trends mean many unique and important vehicles sadly get looked over by diecast and scale model brands, and huge chapters of the rich and wonderful history of Japan’s auto industry get missed entirely by hobbyists.
Thanks to DeAgostini’s “Legendary Japanese Cars” partwork however, some of the more distinctive models from the past are finally getting their time in diecast. One of the stand out releases so far has to be the Isuzu Piazza. If I’m being pedantic, the Piazza has been replicated before in diecast; by Diapet in 1/40 scale. But this is the first 1/64 available to my knowledge.
The first generation Isuzu Piazza went into production in September 1980. Italian design house Giugiaro had been commissioned by Isuzu to design a replacement for the 117 Coupe, and revealed the striking “Asso di Fiori” (“Ace of Clubs”) concept at the 1979 Tokyo Motor Show. The design was so well received the production example was rushed into production virtually unchanged.
Available initially with a pair of 2.0 litre, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines (single or double overhead cam) coupled to a choice of manual or automatic gearbox, the range grew in 1984 with the arrival of the first turbocharged SOHC model. The turbo powerplant slowly replaced the DOHC units, and became the range topping engine producing an impressive 180bhp and 250Nm torque. Japanese Piazza buyers could pick from a multitude of different trim options as well as three suspension setups: standard, a sportier package made by GM tuner Irmscher, and after an Isuzu collaboration with British car maker Lotus, a “Handling by Lotus” trim became available. This featured bigger brakes, redesigned anti-roll bars, stiffer shocks and bushes, and a change in spring rates that noticeably improved handling.
The Piazza was also exported to the United States as the “Impulse” in 1983 (where the model was available with a USDM only 2.3 litre engine), to the United Kingdom in 1985, and the badge engineered Holden Piazza arrived in Australia in 1986. Export sales in the UK and Australia were relatively slow, with the model disappearing with the end of first generation production in 1990. Sales in the US however were strong enough for Isuzu to export the second generation model (also sold in Canada under the short lived Asüna brand), which survived until the Japanese “Bubble Economy” collapsed and production ended in 1993.
The models from the Japanese Legendary Cars series are manufactured by Ixo, so they’re of a high standard. Ixo are owned by the PCT conglomerate, and make a LOT of diecast, even manufacturing for established brands like Tarmac Works. The Fox64 Skodas that featured in my 2024 best of are Ixo/PCT products, as well as the incredible cars of the BR Classics range. And the early releases from the Legendary Japanese Car magazine range formed the basis of Tarmac’s J-Collection range. So it’s safe to say Ixo are trusted. In 2024 they announced they’d be putting out their own brand 1/64 and revealed their truck range, and as can be seen from the Nuremberg Toy Fair their first 1/64 cars are ready to go.
The partwork Piazza is a delight of a diecast and one of the highlights of the magazine back issues so far.
The proportions are perfect and there’s some great details. I love the side mounted mirrors, and there’s clear lights, rubber tyres, windscreen wipers and an individually moulded exhaust back box.
I’m of the opinion the Piazza is quite a good looking car. I’d not go so far as to say it will be winning any automotive beauty contests, but it’s handsome, well proportioned. The Giugiaro design is certainly characteristic, and it’s translated perfectly into miniature here.
There’s a few more lesser seen models from the Legendary Japanese Cars Collection in my hoard including a wonderful Hino 4CV and Mazda Capella, and I know there are still more issues on the horizon. Stay tuned to Lamley and my socials to see which others I inevitably add!
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