Joji Mizusawa
IsuzuDevelopment lead / Development team member
Timeline
- 1946
Joined
Isuzu
- 1963
Bellett 1st generation1963–1974Development lead
Inexperienced young engineers, carrying the fate of a factory
Because the Bellett's development overlapped with the start of Bellel production, a new team was formed, and Mizusawa became its leader. The members had no experience but were eager and fearless young people. The Bellett was positioned as the main model of the Fujisawa plant then under construction, a car on which Isuzu's fate depended. The team visited the construction site, felt the weight of their responsibility, and resolved to reach their goals as one. They took apart the leading cars of the world to read their design intent, and adopted specifications that were bold for the time, such as four-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering.
"Do it the way you believe in"
In a development full of new devices, the hardest part was the rear suspension, which decided the car's character. Designing the diagonal link structure and avoiding the risk of rollover that a swing axle brings were especially big challenges. Encouragement from a superior, "Do it the way you believe in", and Mizusawa's strong conviction drew out the abilities of the whole group, and after struggling day and night, one idea after another emerged and the hard problems were solved. The Bellett was finished as a genuine sports saloon with excellent high-speed stability and handling.
- 1968
Profile
From Tokyo. An engineer at Isuzu Motors. He led the newly formed team that developed the Bellett passenger car, and later became chairman of the company. He was inducted into the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame.
Translated from Japanese sources.