1:24 Isuzu Bellett 1600GTR - Late Version (1973)

Isuzu Bellett 1600GTR - Late Version 1973, 1:24, Hasegawa

An injection-molded plastic kit in 1:24 scale from the Japanese brand Hasegawa. The box defines it as an Isuzu Bellett 1600GTR in the late form of 1973, that is in the last series that came off the line. The GT-R sat at the top of the Bellett range and differed from the ordinary versions on the outside as well, so the model goes well with collectors of Japanese classics from the lesser-known marques.

The real subject

The Bellett was a compact Isuzu car built from the first half of the 1960s until 1973. The top GT-R version was given the G161W inline four-cylinder engine of 1.6 liters with a DOHC valvetrain, taken over from the elegant Isuzu 117 Coupé; an output of around 120 hp is quoted for it, which at the end of the 1960s made the Bellett one of the fastest Japanese cars in its class. The Bellett GT-R is among the first Japanese cars to carry the GT-R designation and today it is rarer among collectors than its more famous rivals.

Building and painting tips

Fill the body, smooth it and check it with filler primer; the square shape of the Bellett easily betrays an imperfect seam on an edge. Do the split of the body into two shades with masking tape and always apply the lighter color first. Give it two layers of gloss clear coat and polish the surface. Bring the chrome window surrounds, the handles and the badges to life with a fine brush and a metallic shade; finish the interior and the engine before you join the body to the chassis.

Who the model is for

• collectors of Japanese classics outside the main marques
• fans of DOHC engines of the 1960s
• modelers who build complete model lines of Japanese coupes

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.