Isuzu Car Club of Australia Inc. – 1968 to present
The Isuzu Car Club of Australia started life as the Bellett Car Club of NSW in 1968. Roslyn & Jim Gore are the founders, but they quickly attracted a very social and sporting-minded group of enthusiasts. We are very proud that so many of those founding members, and their families, are still very much involved or at least “good friends of the club”.
Throughout the 70s and early 80s, the club calendar kept the members very busy. The intensity and variety of events in those years is staggering. For a long time, it was common for the monthly calendar to feature two or three sporting events, one or two social events, PLUS a general meeting, committee meeting and editorial meeting. The Bellettin magazine was published most months and at its peak, was issued to over 100 financial members.
The Bellett Car Club of NSW, affiliated with CAMS in 1969, was a strong participant in the club motorsport scene at Oran Park, Amaroo Park, etc. In 1974, the club established the Japanese Series for a championship among the active Japanese car clubs. This was hotly contested each year until 1978. From 1976 until 1988, the Club was one of five that organised the ‘Penta’ Series for an annual championship. There are many life-long friendships and even a couple of marriages among those clubs.
Isuzu, as a manufacturer, has always been a great supporter of the Club. In the early days, the Australian representative would frequently come to general meetings. Significant Club events were featured in the worldwide publication Isuzu Times, leading to contact with Japanese, European and American enthusiasts, some of whom we have welcomed at Australian events. Our members have been welcomed at Isuzu headquarters in Japan and attended events at Mt Fuji racetrack.
Since the establishment of Isuzu Ute Australia, we have again enjoyed ‘factory support’. Dealers are made aware of the great Isuzu car heritage, and some of our cars appear in promotions.
In March 2018, to celebrate our 50th year, a car show and reunion was held at Linnwood House in Guildford, attended by about 100 past and present enthusiasts. The event was covered by Isuzu Ute Australia’s d*max magazine and attended by senior team members from Isuzu Ute Australia who presented the club with a prized Daruma Doll on behalf of Isuzu Japan. It’s an incredible privilege.
Also at this fantastic event, Fletch attended and filmed a segment for Classic Restos TV (episode 37). Still available on YouTube. We had our entire group of life members together for the first time in over 20 years and attracted 41 classic Isuzus – this gathering is surpassed only by the 2016 Nationals at Albury.
As a marque car club, the aim has always been the preservation and enjoyment of all Isuzu vehicles. In the early days, there was room to learn from mistakes both on and off the racetrack. In time, Gemini owners were welcomed, and many eagerly joined the sporting ranks. In 1993, the club changed its name to Isuzu Car Club of Australia.
As the years progressed and the cars (and owners) got a little older, costs and family pressures increased, the club gradually changed from a mainly Sydney, sporting-based club to a club for all classic Isuzu enthusiasts. Affiliation with the CMC means access to suitable events and the special registration scheme. It’s an important part of today’s Club. Email, website and Facebook are also crucial to our continued success.
Our financial members and the wider group of enthusiasts are based all over Australia. The logo for our 50th anniversary was designed by an enthusiast in Darwin, our President is from Mudgee, and other committee members are based in the regions and interstate.
The Club is inclusive of both cars and people. This means we do not award trophies or prizes within the Club, other than our ‘Ratbag’ trophy for conspicuous achievement in ratbagery, tom-foolery, temporary madness and senior moments!” However, the club has won ‘Best Club Display’ three times at the huge Gnoo Blas Classic show and individual owners sometimes take home trophies from public shows. There is a National event each year where trophies are usually awarded.
Mates help mates to keep the old cars on the road, and this motivates everyone to drive long distances to have fun together. Families play a big role among Isuzu enthusiasts, and this is part of the Club’s resilience.
These days, it’s all about getting together for a car show, a drive or better still – both! Wherever we go, people want to talk to us: “I learnt to drive on one of those!” (a Bellett sedan or, increasingly, a Gemini!); “My uncle had one of those” (Bellett GT); “gee, they’re rare” (Florian, 117, Piazza); “Where can I get one?” (Wasp ute, Rodeo). If you own a classic Isuzu, you'd better be ready to talk!
Of course, now we also welcome the ‘modern’ Isuzus too. MUX, DMax. Even some truck owners have found a home with the Isuzu Car Club of Australia.
57 years strong – strong friendships – strong cars!
Julie Amos, Secretary January 2026
Website: www.isuzucarclub.net.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISUZUCARCLUBofAustraliaInc
Email:
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