Isuzu Fargo

{{Infobox automobile

| name = First generation

| image = Isuzu Fargovan 1991.jpg

| aka = Bedford Midi
Chevrolet WFR
GME Midi
Holden Shuttle
Isuzu Midi
Isuzu WFR
Vauxhall Midi
Bedford Seta (in Portugal)

| production = 1980–1995

| assembly = Japan
Tunisia: Kairouan (IMM)
United Kingdom (Luton)
Tajikistan (Pamir)

| body_style = 2-door cab forward pickup
3-door van

| layout = Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Front-engine, four-wheel drive

| engine =

| transmission = 4-speed manual transmission
5-speed manual transmission
3-speed automatic transmission
4-speed automatic transmission

| wheelbase = SWB: {{convert|2350|mm|in|abbr=on}}
LWB: {{convert|2690|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| length = SWB: {{convert|4350|mm|in|abbr=on}}
LWB: {{convert|4690|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|1690|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| height = Low roof: {{convert|1950|mm|in|abbr=on}}
High roof: {{convert|2185|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| weight =

| successor = Opel/Vauxhall Arena (European models)

| sp = uk

}}

The first-generation Isuzu Fargo was introduced in December 1980 with a 1.6- and 1.8-litre petrol engines, and a 1.8-litre diesel engine. A 2.0-litre diesel was also available, but originally only in the wagon version. The commercial (van) version gained this option beginning in August 1981. Designed very much in the mould of contemporary Japanese vehicles of the time, it featured an underfloor engine.

The 1.8-litre options were dropped in March 1982, both replaced by 2.0-litre engines. In July 1982, the luxury-oriented 9-seater LS Wagon was introduced, featuring a standard sunroof among other features. At the same time, the column shifter was retired and a floor-mounted shifter became standard across the line. In November 1983, diesels became available with part-time four-wheel drive. In January 1984, turbodiesel engines were introduced in the Wagon LF model, followed by the addition of optional four-wheel drive on wagons in November of that year.{{cite book | title = 別冊CG: 自動車アーカイヴ 80年代の日本 |trans-title=Car Graphic: Car Archives Vol. 11, '80s Japanese Cars | publisher = Nigensha | ref = CG80 | year = 2007 | language = ja | page = 246 | location = Tokyo | isbn = 978-4-544-91018-6}}

In January 1986, the Fargo received a facelift, with changes to the headlights (now somewhat wider and with a more trapezoidal shape) and the instrument panel. One year later, an automatic transmission became available on rear-wheel drive variants. In September 1987, the naturally aspirated diesel wagons were discontinued, leaving only turbodiesels for these noncommercial versions. In October 1988, a short-lived cab-forward pickup (truck) body style was added; it was soon replaced by the more popular Isuzu Faster trucks.

In January 1991, the 2.4-litre 4FG1 diesel engine introduced, replacing the earlier 1.8- and 2.0-litre units. Design changes were also made, to both the interior and exterior. In August 1993, the 2.4-litre 4FG1-T turbodiesel standardised across the range. Three-point rear seatbelts were now fitted to models fitted with rear seats and the air conditioning unit is now chlorofluorocarbon free (CFC).

File:Isuzu Fargo Truck 001.JPG|1991–1995 Isuzu Fargo truck

File:Isuzu Fargo Wagon 001.jpg|1993–1995 Isuzu Fargo LS van

File:Isuzu Fargo Wagon 002.jpg|1993–1995 Isuzu Fargo LS van

File:1996_Vauxhall_Midi_2.4_Diesel_(16115124668).jpg|Vauxhall Midi (United Kingdom)

File:1990 Vauxhall Albany.jpeg|Vauxhall Albany, an upmarket version of the Bedford/Vauxhall Midi (United Kingdom)

File:GME Midi, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.jpg|GME Midi (Europe)

General Motors-owned Vauxhall Motors offered a version of the Fargo as the Bedford Midi between 1985 and 1994. Following the sale of the Bedford Vehicles to AWD, the Bedford Midi was rebadged as the Vauxhall Midi. Versions sold in continental Europe and Ireland were sold under various names, including Bedford Seta (in Portugal), General Motors Midi, GME Midi, and Isuzu Midi. Between 1983 and 1988, Industries Mécaniques Maghrébines (IMM) produced the Isuzu Midi at its Kairouan, Tunisia, manufacturing facility.

Built in Luton, the Midi brought few changes to the Japanese Fargo and replaced the old Bedford CF van.{{cite magazine | last = Wren | first = Tim | date = June 1986 | title = Slow but sure | magazine = Truck | location = London | publisher = FF Publishing | page = 85}} This was very much a stop-gap design to replace the old CF range, but a true CF replacement never came. The van also signified the end of Bedford, and its own designs as GM used other companies designs it co owned as a cheaper option. Talks were held with Freight Rover during 1985 to produce the Sherpa 300 series van under licence; the idea was abandoned by the end of 1986.

Also, concerns arose over its crashworthiness in this same issue, following a test on the Japanese-built WFR."The Good Van Guide", Summer 1986, Issue 1, Vol. 2. Engines offered were both petrol (1.8- and 2.0-litre) and diesel (2.0-, 2.2-, or 2.4-litre turbo). The Midi could be ordered with either an old fashioned, column-mounted gear change allowing a third central passenger seat in the front, or with a conventional floor shift, and was available in short and long wheelbases with a choice of standard or high roof lines. A minibus version, named the Albany, was also produced.

The Midi was also restyled in 1989 and given a new dashboard panel and seating, together with new door trims and front end fascia. The engine range remained much the same. While production ceased in 1994, SWB models were replaced by the Vauxhall Arena, while the LWB models were replaced in 1997 by the Vauxhall Movano, both of which were based on Renault products.{{cite web |title=Bedford Midi |url=https://motor-car.net/bedford/item/10086-midi-1985-94 |website=Motor Car Net |access-date=3 November 2023}}

File:1985 Holden Shuttle (WFR) 1.8 SWB van (2016-01-04).jpg

General Motors' (GM) Australian subsidiary, Holden released the Isuzu Fargo van in February 1982 as the WFR series Holden Shuttle.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "The Holden Shuttle van, released in February 1982, was [...] sold in other world markets as the Isuzu Fargo and Isuzu WFR." The original release Shuttle was available in short and long wheelbase guises, in combination with either low or high roofs, all available with or without side cargo windows.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "Body options were many and varied with a choice of long or short wheelbases and high or low roof versions, all of which available with or without side windows."

Two engines were initially offered: a 1.8-litre 4ZB1 petrol engine rated at {{convert|65|kW|hp|abbr=on}}, and a 2.0-litre 4FC1 diesel putting out {{convert|44|kW|hp|abbr=on}}.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. In 1986, the 1.8 petrol was withdrawn and replaced by the 2.0 litre 4ZC1 petrol producing {{convert|69|kW|hp|abbr=on}}.{{cite web | url = http://redbook.com.au/used-cars/compare.aspx?__No=15&__Ns=p_Make_String%7c0%7cp_ClassificationType_String%7c0%7cp_Family_String%7c0%7cp_Year_String%7c1%7cp_SequenceNum_Int32%7c0&__Nne=15&trecs=37&silo=1300&acvcompare=8wzyt7mM2lE.&__N=0%204294958234%204294966064%204294965153%204294965134&SearchAction=N&__sid=11C7000FEC6B | title = Vehicle Comparison: 1985 Holden Shuttle and 1986 Holden Shuttle | publisher = The Red Book | access-date = 25 September 2008}} All three engines were coupled with a four speed manual transmission.Bebbington (1998), p. 176. "Four-speed manual (prior to 1985)".

The single, cargo-carrying model was accompanied by the limited edition LS—a highly specified 9-seater people-mover variant in October 1982.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "A nine seat mini bus badged LS, was introduced in 1982." Only 250 were built for Australian consumption; however, in August 1983, Holden introduced the LT 9-seater people mover.Segal (1983), p. 68. "Called Shuttle LS, this nine-seater was a real luxury-coach [...] built in a limited run of only 250. [...]

Less than a year later, the Shuttle has been relaunched once more as a family vehicle, now called the LT. The lower-specification LT was not equipped with many of the LS Shuttle's luxury features, including the dual-zone air conditioning.{{cite magazine | date = October 1983 | title = Shuttle drops trim – and price | magazine = Modern Motor | page = 9 | quote = The [LT] Shuttle's engine remains the same [as the LS] and external appearance is generally unchanged, but the new model will not have the twin air conditioners and other extras. }}

An AM/FM radio with compact cassette player and a digital clock were standard on the LT, with single zone air conditioning available as an option.Segal (1983), p. 68. "An AM/FM radio-cassette player, digital clock and air conditioning is available." Both the LS and LT were powered exclusively by the petrol engine.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "LT and LS available with petrol engine only".

The Shuttle was subject to several minor facelifts and running changes over its production run. In the middle of 1983, a centre front seat was added.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "The Shuttle underwent several minor facelifts throughout its life, the first being in the middle of 1983 when a centre front seat was added." This consisted of two outer bucket seats and a centre bench seat, giving the impression of a single bench.Segal (1983), p. 68. "The front row consists of what GMH loosely calls two "buckets" and a middle "bench" seat – they looked and felt like just one bench to me."

June 1985 had the model range restructured, with the five-speed manual transmission from the LS and LT models now standard on the base model.Bebbington (1998), p. 175–176. "In 1985, the model range was again reduced and rationalised."; "Five-speed manual, LT and LS and all others 1985 on". A facelifted model came in June 1986, involving the relocation of badging, re shaped headlamps, and newly designed steel wheels for the base Shuttle.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "The following years, 1986, saw the relocation of badging and the range further reduced."

This refresh coincided with a reduced line up; Holden deleted the diesel and long wheelbase options.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "No diesel engine option after 1986"; "No LWB option after 1986." From December 1987, a four speed automatic transmission option was made available, and the LT people mover variant was removed—transforming the Shuttle into a single model range.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "For 1987, an automatic transmission option was made optional and the LT was deleted from the model lineup."{{cite web | url = http://redbook.com.au/used-cars/details.aspx?__Nne=15&__sid=11C7000FEC6B&SearchAction=N&R=68694&__N=0%204294958234%204294966063%204294965869&__Ns=p_Make_String%7c0%7cp_ClassificationType_String%7c0%7cp_Family_String%7c0%7cp_Year_String%7c1%7cp_SequenceNum_Int32%7c0&Cr=9 | title = 1987 Holden WFR Shuttle Window (Mar) | publisher = The Red Book | access-date = 27 September 2008}} Holden discontinued the Shuttle in 1990, and opted not to replace it with another model.Bebbington (1998), p. 175. "The Shuttle range was discontinued in 1990 and was not replaced by any other vehicle." The Shuttle's immediate predecessor were the Bedford CF vans sourced from the United Kingdom. These Bedford vans were not however, distributed under the "Holden" brand.

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Second generation

| image = ISUZU FARGO White Van.jpg

| manufacturer = Isuzu

| aka = Nissan Caravan/Urvan/Homy

| successor = Isuzu Como

| production = 1995–2001

| factory = Japan

| body_style = 3-door van

| engine =

| transmission =

| wheelbase =

| length =

| width =

| height =

| weight =

| sp = uk

}}

• August 1995: All new model, now a badge-engineered Nissan Caravan/Urvan (E24) van.
• June 1999: Modified gasoline engine
• May 2001: Discontinuation

{{clear}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{cite book | last = Bebbington | first = Terry | year = 1998 | title = 50 Years of Holden | location = Hornsby, New South Wales | publisher = Clockwork Media | isbn = 0-947216-59-6}}
• {{cite magazine | last = Segal | first = David | date = November 1983 | title = Space Shuttle | magazine = Motor Manual | location = Melbourne, Victoria}}

{{Isuzu modern timeline}}

{{Vauxhall Motors}}

Fargo

Category:Vehicles introduced in 1980

Category:Vans

Category:Minibuses

Category:Cab over vehicles