Second Chance for VehiCROSS

1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS

S/N JACCN57X2X7991734. 122,800 miles. “3.5-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission and a 2-speed transfer case, producing 215 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque, 15-inch Raguna D-Force wheels, Hella auxiliary lighting.” Condition: 2. SOLD AT $12,540. Cars & Bids, 8/24/22.

The VehiCROSS just screams “Y2K!” While we were all worried about the breakdown of civilization, Isuzu was making a multi-purpose, urban off-roader. Built on the 3-door Japanese Trooper chassis, it used unequal-length control-arm torsion bars in front and a coil-sprung live rear axle. Its short wheelbase and excellent approach and departure angles gave it real off-roadability. But it was the styling of the VehiCROSS that drew people to it — or pushed them away, as the case may be. At the time, similar vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee were conservative and boxy, looking much the same as they did in the 1980s. The Isuzu was edgy, looking like it was plucked out of a sci-fi movie. With the recent revival of this era in clothing and style, its plastic cladding and weird headlights seem much cooler than in-period. The VehiCROSS had a limited production run of under 6,000 for Japan and the U.S. combined, making this odd 4×4 a rare find. As for this lightly modded example, it is a nice trucklet that sold at a fair price. Both parties should be happy.

1980 Toyota Cressida

S/N MX32034010. 55,000 miles. “2.6L 4M-E inline-6, 4-speed automatic transmission, silver paint, maroon cloth upholstery, 14-inch steel wheels with full covers, chrome bumpers, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, factory AM/FM stereo with 8-track player, Cobra CB radio, copy of window sticker.” Condition: 1-. SOLD AT $9,660. Bring a Trailer, 9/17/22.

Toyota’s first venture into the American luxury market was the 1969 Corona Mark II, a larger version of the Japanese model that was an offshoot of the Crown. A couple of generations later it was rebranded as the Cressida for export markets. It was the first Toyota sold in the U.S. to have fuel injection. Other high-end features such as power windows and interior soundproofing put the Cressida ahead of other late-1970s contemporaries. Unfortunately, this generation doesn’t have the following of later Cressidas and gets overlooked by most enthusiasts. Among a small niche of Japanese-car enthusiasts, they are somewhat popular, but most people aren’t looking to spend much on a car like this. That’s probably why bidding went flat and the sale price here didn’t pass the $10k mark, regardless of how nice this example is. Well bought.

1986 Toyota Celica Supra

S/N JT2MA67LXG0175831. 99,100 miles. “2.8-liter inline-6, 4-speed automatic transmission, repainted metallic blue & silver, blue cloth upholstery, 14-inch alloy wheels, P-type model, pop-up headlights, rear spoiler, sunroof, air conditioning, AM/FM cassette stereo.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $21,000. Cars & Bids, 8/18/22.

Second-generation Toyota Supra values are still hanging around in the $10k–$25k price range. This “P-type,” or “Performance Type,” came with the bolted-on wheel flares, limited-slip differential and spoiler, differing from the “L-type,” which had luxury options such as leather seats and a digital cluster. I have found P-types are more commonly seen for sale today. This example was repainted in its original Dark Blue Metallic and Super Silver. The restoration photos were included with the auction, showing this as the original color scheme. One oddity of this car is it’s a 1986 model. This was a year split between this body style and the next-generation Supra. The one difference between a 1985 and 1986 is that Toyota put a CHMSL between the wing and the hatch, an extremely rare detail. Considering the mileage and that the seller went through the effort of having it resprayed correctly, this was a deal for the winning bidder. It wouldn’t surprise me if the seller lost money here. Well bought. ♦