Lotus-Tuned Suspension: 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS





























Though about 95% of the decade of the 1980s was pretty much garbage, there were a few bright rays of sunlight to that decade. In the automotive department, hot hatches were a star-studded automotive highlight. Though typically Europe is associated with performance hatchbacks, Japan marketed a few of its own. This hot hatch from the Land of the Rising Sun is a 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS, a rare sight in any condition today. Find it here on eBay in Knoxville, Tennessee, with no bids.























Known as the Gemini in its home market of Japan, the I-Mark gained a performance edge in 1989 with the introduction of the RS model. Featuring a suspension tuned by Lotus, the RS model featured more rigid dampers, alternate spring rates, and bigger sway bars. Available for 1989 only, the RS is the rarest edition of the I-Mark, and I've only seen one other RS model for sale four years ago. Said to straight and rust-free according to the seller, the clear coat is peeling, but everything else exterior-wise is pretty decent. The red color nicely accents the body kit, and I dig those wheels. I would spring for a new coat of clear and clean up the exterior, otherwise leaving it as-is on the outside, save possibly for a new set of sticky tires.




















As per the RS package, this car is powered by the same motor as the Lotus M100 Elan: a 1.6 DOHC 16-V four-cylinder. Rated at 125 horsepower and 102 lb-ft of torque, performance is decent, with a 0-60 time of 8.3 seconds and a quarter-mile of 16.3 seconds. Mechanical issues include shot struts, non-operable air conditioning, and a faulty fuel regulator. There's a ton of new parts on the plus side, so I would fix the mechanical issues and drive this car on a winding, twisting road. 



























What is actually surprising is the fact that this car is largely stock. The worst part of the interior are the seats; both the front and rear seats are torn in spots, which will necessitate a restoration of the seats. Otherwise, the rest of the interior is in great shape, albeit in need of a cleaning. The factory-equipped Recaro seats are cool, and I like the manual windows and analog gauges. Overall, this I-Mark RS would be a cool restoration project for anyone new to the collector car game. I would fix everything and take this down some long, windy roads before swapping the motor for an Impulse Turbo motor. What are your thoughts on this rarely-seen, one-year only I-Mark RS? 
Location: Knoxville, TN, USA

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