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Isuzu Gemini
1988-89 Isuzu Gemini hatchback
Overview
Manufacturer	Isuzu (1974–1993) Honda (1993–2000)
Production	1974–2000 (Japan)
Assembly	Fujisawa Plant, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan (1974–2000)
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact car Compact car
Chronology
Predecessor	Isuzu Bellett

The Isuzu Gemini was a subcompact car (later a compact car) that was produced by the Japanese automaker Isuzu 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 While the first generation was of a rear-wheel drive design, later versions were all front-wheel-drive The last two generations were no more than badge-engineered Honda Domani until the name was retired in 2000

First generation (1974-1987)

First generation
Isuzu Gemini
Overview
Also called	Isuzu Bellett Gemini Isuzu I-Mark Chevrolet Gemini Buick Opel (US) Holden Gemini Opel Gemini (Malaysia) Saehan Gemini
Production	November 1974–February 1987
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	T-body
Related	Isuzu Piazza Chevrolet Chevette Daewoo Maepsy Opel Kadett Vauxhall Chevette
Powertrain
Engine	1584 cc G161Z I4 1817 cc G180Z I4 1817 cc G180W DOHC I4 1817 cc 4FB1 diesel I4 1817 cc 4FB1T TD I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,405 mm (95 in)
Length	4,135 mm (163 in)
Width	1,570 mm (62 in)
Height	1,365 mm (54 in)
Curb weight	930 kg (2,050 lb)

The first Gemini was the Bellett Gemini, first seen in November 1974. It was based on the third-generation Opel Kadett C on the General Motors T-car platform and came in four-door sedan and two-door coupe body styles. The chassis code was PF50, although the later 1.8-liter versions were called PF60 and the diesels PFD60.

In June 1977 the Gemini received its first, light, facelift. The bigger 1817 cc G180 series engine became available, fitted with rectangular headlights rather than the round units used on the 1600. This model offered 110 PS (81 kW), although this output dropped to 105 PS (77 kW) if an automatic transmission was fitted. In November of the same year the 1600 was updated, now with square headlights and an engine with the I·CAS oxidation catalyst ("Isuzu Clean Air System") which could manage the 1978 emissions standards. One year later the Gemini 1800's engine was also upgraded to meet the 1978 emissions standards. Power remained unchanged, and the automatic now offered the same power as cars with manual transmission. The ignition system was now of a transistor less type, and the trunk lid was now opened remotely (not added to the Gemini 1600 until the end of December). The Gemini Black and 1800 Minx were also added, the Minx with a two-tone paintjob and the Black with black paintwork and more sporty yet comfortable equipment including alloy wheels.

In June 1979, the Gemini received a new slant nose with rectangular headlights and a redesigned rear end. The changes were actually more comprehensive than that, also including a redesigned (longer) engine bay and a wider radiator opening for two new engines added in November (the twin cam G180W and the new 4FB1 diesel) which both required wider radiators for more air for cooling.

In Japan, sports models were available originally with the "ZZ" name. Later, ZZ/L (1980), ZZ/R (1981), ZZ/T, and ZZ/E models were added. These were equipped with an Isuzu G180W 8-valve DOHC 1.8-liter engine, most commonly fuel-injected, producing 130 PS (96 kW) at 6400 rpm. These models also came with a shortened remote throw manual shift lever and optional factory LSD differential. There was also a mildly sporting model of the OHC 1800, called the LS/G.

In October 1982 a version of the diesel with Bosch VE electronic fuel injection was also added; this provided 8% more power than the regular version (66 versus 61 PS) and was fitted to the LT-E and LJ-E models. For those who wanted more, a 73 PS (54 kW) turbo diesel appeared a month later. Also featuring electronic fuel injection, this model also received a standard rear anti-roll bar. Counterintuitively, the two more powerful diesels were never available with the coupé bodywork.

The Gemini was complemented in 1981 by the Giugiaro-designed coupé Isuzu Piazza, based on the Gemini's platform, which was introduced in the United States in 1983 as the Isuzu Impulse and in Australia in 1986 as the Holden Piazza. After the front-wheel-drive second generation Gemini appeared in early 1985, the old rear-wheel drive version nonetheless continued to be built. The coupé model was discontinued, and a slimmed down sedan range (including the ZZ and diesel models) continued to be available. This diminished range was produced until February 1987, when the rear-wheel drive Gemini was laid to rest after 768,537 had been built.

In other markets

North America

The North American market version was originally sold as the "Opel by Isuzu" and then the Buick Opel (sometimes referred to as the "Buick Isuzu Opel"). It first appeared in late 1975, for the 1976 model year, and replaced the German-built Kadett which had become too expensive as a result of the weakening dollar and rising costs in Germany. Road & Track decried the switch, stating that the Isuzu felt "built to a price" and that unlike the real Opel, it was "one of our least favorite cars." In 1978 a "Sports Coupé" was added to the lineup, its changes being limited to the paint, different steel wheels, sporty mirrors, and a spoiler. For 1979 the car received a light cosmetic update with ribbed velour trim, a few new paint options, and rectangular headlights.

For the 1981 model year, the Gemini metamorphosed into the "Isuzu I-Mark". The diesel engine was available in the I-Mark, but the standard engine was a 78 hp (58 kW) (SAE net) version of the 1.8 litre G180Z engine. The diesel had a claimed 51 hp (38 kW) (SAE net) at an unusually high 5000 rpm. The I-Mark was offered with four-door sedan or two-door coupé bodywork with either engine, in Deluxe or fully equipped LS (added for the 1982 model year) trim. A five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic were on offer. There was also a base diesel-engined coupé on offer, with a four-speed manual transmission only. The diesel gradually lost sales after USA's brief love affair with the diesel car came to an end in the early eighties, and eventually it was only available in a single coupé version.

Australasia

In addition to sedan and coupé models, Holden in Australia produced the Gemini as a three-door station wagon and three-door panel van, which were derived from the Opel Kadett C Caravan and Vauxhall Chevette wagon, with Isuzu Gemini front panels. The panel van's side panels came from the Bedford Chevanne. The Australian Holden Gemini was fitted with an Isuzu G161Z petrol engine, although 1979 and later models were available with a 1.8-litre 8-valve SOHC diesel engine (4FB1). The more common G161Z was a 1.6-liter 8-valve SOHC fed by a Nikki carburettor. The Holden Gemini was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1975.

Other markets

In Europe, the Gemini was equipped with the 1.6-liter engine which produced 68 PS (50 kW) DIN there; the discrepancy in stated power (down 32 percent) may have been entirely due to the differences to the SAE (gross) measuring system used on Japanese market cars.

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 (later as the Maepsy-Na after a facelift) until it was replaced by Daewoo LeMans in 1986.

Sold as:

• 1975–1984 - Holden Gemini - Australia (1977–1984 in New Zealand initially badged as an Isuzu, as the brand had already been established by the earlier Bellett)
• 1975–1983 - Opel Gemini - Malaysia, Thailand
• 1976–1979 - Opel Isuzu/Buick Opel - United States
• 1976–1982 - Saehan Gemini - South Korea ("Saehan Bird" in the export)
• 1982–1986 - Saehan/Daewoo Maepsy/Maepsy-Na - South Korea, Saehan Maepsy before
• 1982–1988 - Saehan/Daewoo Max - pickup version, South Korea
• 1981–1984 - Isuzu I-Mark