Remember the Isuzu Vehicross? You may not – as it wasn’t sold in South Africa. The two-door SUV sold during the late ‘90s became a bit of a cult classic off-roader in the US.
We did feature a driving impression of an Isuzu Vehicross in a 1998 issue of Leisure Wheels, one imported by Isuzu as a showpiece that went on display at the 1998 Auto Africa Motor Show. We also featured one bought by Sakkie Coetzee (imported from Botswana by it’s previous owner) in an article in 2015.
Even more unique than the standard Vehicross was the Ironman Edition. Only 1 000 examples of the Vehicross Ironman Edition were scheduled to be built, but according to US publication Motor 1, ‘history is a little foggy on exactly how many made it off the production line’.
The seller says it’s just “1 of 86 ever made.” Each one was named after the long-distance triathlon and comes with some exclusive visual and performance upgrades.
The same 160kW 3.5-liter V6 and four-speed automatic transmission found on the standard model is fitted to this special edition IsuzuCross. An aftermarket exhaust that “sounds amazing,” according to the seller has been fitted and other exterior features like HID converted headlights, LED converted parking lights, and an Alpine head unit have been added.
This model also gained reservoir shocks, a two-inch lift, a two-tone red and black interior, a Yakima roof rack, a black bonnet decal, an upgraded sound system, and Ironman logos throughout.
This particular model is up for sale on the US equivalent of Gumtree, namely Craigslist in Seattle for $13 500 (about R161 875).