One of my biggest treats as I wander the streets of Eugene is to run into a CC from way back. And this I-Mark diesel coupe is my favorite, as it just keeps on clattering along, despite the fact that its owners obviously are doing nothing other than driving it, as a close-up below will show quite graphically. It’s aged a lot in the past ten years, and I keep being surprised by each sighting, a testament to the inherent ruggedness of these.
Here’s how it looked back in 2010, when I first wrote it up on the other site. In 2014, I re-posted it here at CC.
In 2015, I wrote it up as a follow up; it was looking a bit worse for wear, including two missing windows. I ended that post with these words: One of these days, it has to croak, right?
Yet here it is, coming out of the Red Apple Market parking lot.
And it even has had its missing windows replaced! It hasn’t been washed, obviously, and it’s developed quite a black plume of diesel residue below its filler.
Or Biodiesel, as the case may (or may not) be.
Remarkably, there’s no visible plume of black smoke as it accelerates down 5th Avenue.
I’m going to stop predicting its imminent demise; see you in five years.
I am amazed that the owner was able to source replacement glass. Wow.
Maybe you are the Photographic Oncologist, and the Isuzu stopped by for its five year check-up? I have some friends who are “out of warranty” for the breast cancers they were treated for years ago. Fifteen years after something that was supposed to give them a life expectancy of five years tops, they visit with their oncologist, shrug their shoulders, give each other a hug and say “See you in five years!” Hoping this Isuzu will have the same prognosis.
I’m always amazed how different the car culture is so different and tolerant in OR. Here in FL he’s bound to attract negative attention from The Man lol.
There are a good number of these clattering around my wife’s homeland of the Dominican Republic. Talented mechanics and cheaper diesel equals many an old VW, Puego, Reunalt, Skoda, Toyota, Nissan, and Benz W123 200d Diesels. And also that old 80’s Coralla you had may be alive and well down there.
That one side sort of reminded me of this image without the prop.
I’ve known this fruit vendor’s truck at my MIL’s on the Dominican Republic for about 5 years. Runs much better than it looks. (His two sons looking sullen at the early hour while he’s inside having coffee with us.). Best pineapple I’ve ever had- he sells several varieties too..
The 1.8 Isuzu Diesel engine those I-Marks had was also installed in Brazilian Chevettes for sale outside Brazil, where in those years passenger cars had to run on gas or alcohol.
In Uruguay they were quite popular as taxis. I always tried not to take them for the diminute leg space, but they were rugged, lasted forever and were quite fast off the line.
A friend owns a later car, a 2000 Chevrolet (Opel) Corsa, also Brazilian and also equipped with an Isuzu Diesel, but this is a 1.7. A former taxicab, he got it with 400.000 km, did a ring job at 500.000, and now has 1.000.000 on it. It’s far from smooth, creaks a lot, but the engine runs quite well. It has gone through 3 clutches (he uses to commute about 100 km, almost no city driving). It’s awesome how a relatively well kept taxicab can serve for about 10 years.
Wasn’t the 1.8L Isuzu diesel also used in U.S. Chevettes in the early 80’s? I know there was a 2.2L Isuzu diesel used in a few S-10’s around the same time.
Yup.
Wow, amazing longevity. The owner is clearly attached to this car! I wonder if he is aware of the [very minor] celebrity it has achieved here. Good to see he’s “Feeling The Bern”, though probably the least unique possible bumper sticker to sport in Eugene. More unique would be to get one that said “Oil Berner”.
A literal bad smell that just won’t depart.
Mind, that Isuzu 1.8 clatterer cannot be broken even by fools, the coachwork’s not rusty and the whole would cost about $5 a week to run, given the 50mpg it’d be giving in real-world conditions.
As it’d want to, given that even antique model Eugenians can outrun ’em.
It takes a licking and keeps on ticking!