Isuzu Gemini

The Isuzu Gemini was a compact car built, in several generations, by Isuzu and sold from 1974 to 2000. The same basic product was built and/or sold under several other names, sometimes by other General Motors brands, in various markets around the world.

1974

The first Gemini was the 1974 Bellett Gemini. It was based on the third-generation Opel Kadett on the General Motors T-car platform and came in four-door sedan and two-door coupe body styles.

In addition, Holden in Australia offered the Gemini as a 3 door station wagon and van, which were derived from the Vauxhall Chevette wagon, with Gemini front panels. The Gemini was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1975. The Australian Holden Gemini was fitted with an Isuzu G161Z engine, although some models were available with a diesel variant of an Isuzu G180 engine. The more common G161Z was a 1.6-liter 8 valve SOHC fed by a Nikki carburettor.

In Europe, the 1976 Gemini was equipped with a 1.3-liter engine known as the 1g13c, which was adopted by Opel in Germany for their Opel Kadett.

In Japan, sports models were available under the names ZZ/R and ZZ/T. These were equipped with an Isuzu G180W 8-valve DOHC 1.8-liter engine, most commonly fuel injected, producing 97kW at the flywheel. It is rumoured that these models also came with a factory LSD and a shortened shift throw on manual models.

Isuzu Gemini was also sold in South Korea as Saehan Gemini, whose manufacturer became Daewoo Motors in 1982. It then became Daewoo Maepsy after 1982 and remained on sale until it was replaced by Daewoo Lemans in 1986.

The coupe was replaced in 1981 by the derivative Isuzu Piazza, which was introduced in the United States in 1983 as the Isuzu Impulse.

Sold as:

• 1975–1984 - Holden Gemini - Australia
• 1982–1984 - Holden Gemini - New Zealand
• 1975 - 1983 Opel Gemini - Malaysia, Thailand
• 1976–1979 - Opel Isuzu/Buick Opel - United States
• 1976–1982 - Saehan Gemini - South Korea
• 1981–1984 - Isuzu I-Mark
• 1981–1990 - Isuzu Piazza
• 1983–1989 - Isuzu Impulse