Isuzu Gemini

This is the kickoff of a new type of post, where I’ll go over car models I would love to own.  Up first is the venerable econobox:  The Isuzu Gemini.

While Toyota was building popularity with its ae86 platform of the Corolla, other manufacturers were working together to create a similar sporty econobox car.  Honda was producing the CRX, Mazda was developing the 323 line with the AWD Turbocharged GTX, and Isuzu cooperated with a variety of designers and manufacturers to produce the Gemini.  Even the commercial was exemplary, and is one of my favorite car commercials of all time:

Until 1984, the Gemini was a RWD platform, and was produced under several names for each country they were released in.  Holden and Opel both made the Gemini, the company now known as Daewoo produced a Gemini, Chevrolet or Geo made later models in the United States, Asuna produced the Sunfire, and it eventually evolved into a near perfect copy of the Honda Civic, called the Domani, toward the end of the design’s life.  Several engines were offered that can still be found in circulation, and this car remains one of my favorite options for a fun, economic daily driver.