how many are left?

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Originally Posted by 89Vette

Very well put! This is more the way I've view this icon of Isuzu...a prototype encouraged into production to promote the brand.

No disagreement... most everyone around here knows it was a "halo" vehicle designed to create a "buzz", & get bodies into the showroom...:yesgray:

I have to suspect it would have been lengthed (to accomodate 4-dr or at least better rear entry) if it were intended for large-scale production.

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Ummmmmm...:_thinking

They DID produce a 4 dr prototype(VX-4), so...:_confused

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...odeo_frame.jpg

I have NO idea what they were thinking, since I wasn't at that meeting...:laughing:

They also produced the VX-2 as a prototype...again...:_confused

I can't possibly know what they had in mind with all this prototypical behavior...:_thinking
But I AM kinda digg'n the Cal-Mini style frt cross member & the roof scoop...:thumbup:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...______vx-2.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/izcon03.jpg

Thanks to Anita for the pics...:thanx:

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Originally Posted by vt_maverick

I'm interested to know WHO would sue Isuzu. In order to sue someone you need to be able to demonstrate that you suffered damage in some way - financially, physically, emotionally, etc. If Isuzu switched to conventional dies and automated production and then stopped advertising the ceramic/hand-built piece who exactly is damaged enough to sue? I think the false advertising / legal liability argument is a serious stretch.

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I worked in the ad industry for ages. It's a big no no to start one line of reasoning behind a product and then change, without major red flag caveats all over the place. The ad industry is regulated by the Federal Trade Commision , in DC. They initiate law suits as do watch dog consumer protection organizations. General Motors has been sued by these organizations countless times and lost big time. No way they'd take the chance for their Isuzu Division.

But again, nobody launches a new model behind a hand assembled experimental concept. It's just not done, these days. Isuzu wanted to go racing and needed 5000 copies to warrant a production car class position on the grid.

Let me add one extra bit of perspective that may help. The VX beta test was Japan, in 97/98. They sold 600 to 120 million people, roughly half the USA pop at the time. If they thought that was a problem they would have never come to the USA with the VX, because the test would have translated into roughly 1200 units in the USA, a dismal flop for a mass production go ahead goal. Instead, they kept on building and eventually between Australia and the USA, at discounted pricess fulfilled their promise to the FIA and eaked out the neccessary approx 5000 units, all the dies could stamp out before losing quality.

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Originally Posted by blacksambo

large vehicle manufacturers do not try new models out for sales potential in miniscule numbers and then build thousands more the next year if it attracts sales. They launch new models on a large scale and hope for the best. I don't know of any hand-assembled trial level new model experiments in the big-player car industry in the past fifty years. We're talking about the age of mass production here, especially for General Motors.

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How about the 1964 Pontiac GTO?

"Frank Bridge, who did not believe it would find a market, insisted on limiting initial production to no more than 5,000 cars." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_GTO

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Originally Posted by blacksambo

Isuzu wanted to go racing and needed 5000 copies to warrant a production car class position on the grid.

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interesting info:yesb:

I wonder how many VX's are left...;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blacksambo

Instead, they kept on building and eventually between Australia and the USA, at discounted pricess fulfilled their promise to the FIA and eaked out the neccessary approx 5000 units, all the dies could stamp out before losing quality.

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So where did the extra fenders, hoods, & quarters come from, that they were required to produce for replacements, you know...to be sold in the US, Auastrailia, & Japan...:confused:

Since you're supplying the figures, & I'm OBVIOUSLY ignorant of how big business does just that...business, perhaps you could enlighten me...:thanx:

Also, I could use more enlightenment on the facts presented in this post...:yesgray:

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Originally Posted by TheGanzman

I wonder how many VX's are left...;)

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All the ones shipped to the US...:yesgray:

The others were shipped to Japan & Austrailia.

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Originally Posted by Ldub

Ummmmmm...:_thinking

They DID produce a 4 dr prototype(VX-4), so...:_confusedI have NO idea what they were thinking, since I wasn't in that FOCUS GROUP!!!:laughing:

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Fixed! :bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb: (They were eating Milky Ways, drinking Coke, and grunting about the desires of concept car buyers!!!)

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Originally Posted by Ldub

But I AM kinda digg'n the Cal-Mini style frt cross member & the roof scoop...:thumbup:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/izcon03.jpg

Thanks to Anita for the pics...:thanx:

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:thumbup:

[QUOTE=89Vette;256758]

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Originally Posted by Ldub

Ummmmmm...:_thinking

They DID produce a 4 dr prototype(VX-4), so...:_confusedI have NO idea what they were thinking, since I wasn't in that FOCUS GROUP!!!:laughing:

:thumbup:

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I was expecting SO much more from you...:(

Even being able to work the quote function properly woulda been better...:smilewink

At least YOU are usually able to come up with an intelligent counter...:confused:

Oh well...sleep on it...:sleepgray

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Originally Posted by Ldub

I was expecting SO much more from you...:(

Even being able to work the quote function properly woulda been better...:smilewink

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Fixed...See if it makes more sense now.

Excuse: Typing left-handed while petting friendly cat.

Unbelievable.

Another thread lost to pettiness and posturing. It would be impossible for me to reply in any meaningful way without:
1.) unintentionally insulting one or more members,
2.) either charging tuition or literally wasting several hours, and
3.) causing downstream trouble for Moncha.

Nothing is held more tightly than a challenged belief. Except a challenged wrong belief.

This act is getting old fellas.
-V

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Originally Posted by Vendetta

Unbelievable.

Another thread lost to pettiness and posturing. It would be impossible for me to reply in any meaningful way without:
1.) unintentionally insulting one or more members,
2.) either charging tuition or literally wasting several hours, and
3.) causing downstream trouble for Moncha.

Nothing is held more tightly than a challenged belief. Except a challenged wrong belief.

This act is getting old fellas.
-V

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and another futile post:rollb:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

The others were shipped to Japan

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how many were shipped to Japan:laughb:

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Originally Posted by VXR

how many were shipped to Japan:laughb:

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Sorry, that shoulda read:shipped to Oz, & STAYED in Japan...:yesgray:

Excuse: I was petting a left handed cat with six toes @ the time.

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Originally Posted by VXR

and another futile post:rollb:

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Spoken like a true master.

On the other hand,
-V

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vendetta

Spoken like a true master.

On the other hand,
-V

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You just made coffee come shooting out of my nose...:laughing:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cobrajet

How about the 1964 Pontiac GTO?

"Frank Bridge, who did not believe it would find a market, insisted on limiting initial production to no more than 5,000 cars." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_GTO

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The GTO was a rebadged version of a much higher production number Tempest, with a more powerful engine. So they had the bodies anyway, try a few with more HP, low risk.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vendetta

Unbelievable.

Another thread lost to pettiness and posturing. It would be impossible for me to reply in any meaningful way without:
1.) unintentionally insulting one or more members,
2.) either charging tuition or literally wasting several hours, and
3.) causing downstream trouble for Moncha.

Nothing is held more tightly than a challenged belief. Except a challenged wrong belief.

This act is getting old fellas.
-V

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Anyone been keeping track of which members have usually ended up spending the most time near the center of all such threads covering the widest array of topics? If I may, one possible meaning is that having opinions is one thing, truly realizing they are opinions is another.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vendetta

Spoken like a true master

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thanks

It occurred to me that the local DMV might have a database they could search for the number of a particular brand and model vehicle currently registered/licensed/etc. in their particular state, but mine is closed today so I wasn't able to call and ask.

It would take a combined effort of course, but that may be one way to arrive at a ballpark number for the OP's question.

I'll bet you CarFax knows the number out there. Anybody got any dealer pull to help with that request?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

So where did the extra fenders, hoods, & quarters come from, that they were required to produce for replacements, you know...to be sold in the US, Auastrailia, & Japan...:confused:

Since you're supplying the figures, & I'm OBVIOUSLY ignorant of how big business does just that...business, perhaps you could enlighten me...:thanx:

Also, I could use more enlightenment on the facts presented in this post...:yesgray:

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I said "approx" 5000. The FIA makes you produce enough spares to actually market and service the "production" automobile in order to qualify for that class. As far as the VX-4, do you remember Isuzu's XU-1 concept/show car? It's a four door extremely advanced styled vehicle, that would never go to production. The VX-4 is no different, just like the convertible VX-02, it's just a for instance type message vehicle, not for mass consumption, a custom one off, to gain more Isuzu press, that's all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Y33TREKker

Anyone been keeping track of which members have usually ended up spending the most time near the center of all such threads covering the widest array of topics? If I may, one possible meaning is that having opinions is one thing, truly realizing they are opinions is another.

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I have:yesb:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

Most beautifully & eloquently stated

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vendetta

Spoken like a true master

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thank you both:thumbup:

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Originally Posted by JoFotoz

Well said...X2

Never was a mass produced mustang/taurus/camry/explorer type ;puke2;

Gimme something a bit unique every time......:thumbup:


jo

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Like a Nissan Juke!

:_steering

As an aside, Nissan Juke was another concept show car like the VX, that later came to market . I don't know if this fact is too well known.

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Originally Posted by blacksambo

I'll bet you CarFax knows the number out there. Anybody got any dealer pull to help with that request?

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My reply from CarFax...

Thank you for contacting CARFAX.

Unfortunately, our database cannot be searched this way. You may want to contact R.L. Polk & Co directly to see if they can provide this information.

Thanks for trying. Let's try R.L. Polk, they might have it. Or maybe Haggerty collector car insurance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScgRt...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt-ZvY1vkfc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt-ZvY1vkfc
i never saw this before kind of neat

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blacksambo

Thanks for trying. Let's try R.L. Polk, they might have it. Or maybe Haggerty collector car insurance.

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Since I did the first check, I'll assume "lets" mean you're doing the next check(s).

:bgwb::bwgy::smilewink:bgwo:

You are the one with the curiousity. I'm just trying to help.

What a fun thread. :D

I'd like to add a conversation that never occured at the end of Isuzu's life in the US.

Isuzu America CEO: We're just not selling enough cars in the north american market.

Isuzu exec: Yeah, People just haven't taken interest in our brand since the vehicross.

CEO: It's a shame we commited to only producing 6,000 units. Those sell like hotcakes, but our word is our bond, we can't go back on that. Â*Guess we'll just close up shop.

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I'll sell mine for $20K to any interested party.

Keep in mind the next time you have a near miss, a near rollover, or fender bender, you will have to fork over $20K for a replacement VX, when your insurance will only give you a $5K "TOTAL" settlement.

:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by taylorRichie

What a fun thread. :D

I'd like to add a conversation that never occured at the end of Isuzu's life in the US.

Isuzu America CEO: We're just not selling enough cars in the north american market.

Isuzu exec: Yeah, People just haven't taken interest in our brand since the vehicross.

CEO: It's a shame we commited to only producing 6,000 units. Those sell like hotcakes, but our word is our bond, we can't go back on that. �*Guess we'll just close up shop.

------

I'll sell mine for $20K to any interested party.

Keep in mind the next time you have a near miss, a near rollover, or fender bender, you will have to fork over $20K for a replacement VX, when your insurance will only give you a $5K "TOTAL" settlement.

:D

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I read somewhere that VX's actually sat on the lot for a LOOOONG time. Another member posted a story about it. Also, I read a thread not too long ago about a memeber that did get close to Blue book value from his insurance company. And the most expensive VX i've seen in the past two years was $12k, and it was a very low mileage, rust free, garage kept specimen.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by H3_VX

I read somewhere that VX's actually sat on the lot for a LOOOONG time. Another member posted a story about it. Also, I read a thread not too long ago about a memeber that did get close to Blue book value from his insurance company. And the most expensive VX i've seen in the past two years was $12k, and it was a very low mileage, rust free, garage kept specimen.

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sold mine for $13.5, new motor, lots of mods.

Insurance paid me close to $13K IIRC but that included a few K in mods as well. When you consider the mods I was able to lift before insurance totaled it and the salvage price they gave me I did pretty well.

Btw H3 you are correct on the slow sales, especially towards the end of 2001. Many members here have confirmed that story.

Insurance has to pay retail book value.

Also, if you look at the video links posted by evillecutter above...The Art and Science I, you hear the Isuzu exec say they went for ceramic dies because they knew coming out of the starting gate "the VX isn't for everyone". They knew from the beginnig that sales would always be low. Another interesting finding: If you look at the JDM VX shift console the gear selector is to the left of the hi/lo range selector, indicating that left hand drive was going to be their biggest market, albeit very limited.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by H3_VX

I read somewhere that VX's actually sat on the lot for a LOOOONG time. Another member posted a story about it. Also, I read a thread not too long ago about a memeber that did get close to Blue book value from his insurance company. And the most expensive VX i've seen in the past two years was $12k, and it was a very low mileage, rust free, garage kept specimen.

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Oh yes, I know they sat, and didn't sell well :) I was being facetious. Had they sold well... They would have produced more, regardless of original production methods. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by H3_VX

And the most expensive VX i've seen in the past two years was $12k, and it was a very low mileage, rust free, garage kept specimen.

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Seems like someone paid $13k and posted about it just a couple of months ago.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by taylorRichie

Oh yes, I know they sat, and didn't sell well :) I was being facetious. Had they sold well... They would have produced more, regardless of original production methods. :D

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As I said much earlier...bait and switch on the production method wasn't a legal option. They never aimed for more than the dies allowed. It was just a halo vehicle. Too impractical, and made by a truck maker with a roll over law suit reputation.