The Vixen is a vehicle that often sparks double-takes. At first glance, it might resemble a classic 1980s sports car with its sharp, wedge-shaped profile, pop-up headlights, and sporty stance. But closer inspection reveals it’s much more than that. This unique machine is actually a Recreational Vehicle (RV), blending the aesthetics of a sports car with the functionality of a motorhome. With a limited production run of only around 600 units, the Vixen remains an automotive enigma, a vehicle many enthusiasts have heard whispers of but rarely encounter in person. Recently, one of these rare birds surfaced on Facebook Marketplace, offering a glimpse into its quirky interior and a potential project for a brave soul.
Several variations of this low-slung RV were produced, but the most common, including the 1986 Vixen 21td currently listed on Facebook in Texas, are powered by a 2.4-liter BMW turbodiesel engine coupled with a DeLorean-sourced manual transmission. The asking price is $25,000, a figure that’s hard to pin down due to the Vixen’s rarity and niche appeal. While it might not be everyone’s idea of a sound investment, finding another Vixen in any condition would be a significant challenge. The advertisement mentions typical issues associated with older, unusual vehicles, but the body appears to be in decent shape, and the engine is reportedly recently rebuilt.
The Vixen has long held a special place in the hearts of automotive aficionados and has been celebrated across various car blogs for its unique blend of characteristics. It embodies the “diesel-manual-wagon” ideal that resonated deeply with many automotive journalists, particularly millennials. Even during the peak of automotive blog culture in the mid-2010s, the Vixen’s appeal was undeniable, evoking a certain Roger Moore-era James Bond coolness.
For those unfamiliar with this peculiar recreational vehicle, numerous articles delve into its history and design. Benjamin Hunting’s 2020 piece on Hagerty is a particularly insightful read. In short, the Vixen was the brainchild of Bill Collins, a talented engineer and designer who contributed to iconic vehicles like the Pontiac GTO and DeLorean. Collins, who passed away at 90, considered the Vixen the pinnacle of his career. His obituary in Hemmings details his impressive professional journey and quotes Collins on the Vixen project: “I look at Vixen as the culmination of all my experiences from starting with a clean sheet of paper and building a car from the ground up,” he stated. “I possessed an overview of how to build a whole car that I would never have gotten had I been a spark plug engineer for Chevrolet.”
Collins’ inspiration for the Vixen reportedly stemmed from a trip he took in a 1970s GMC Motorhome. He envisioned creating a mobile living space with a more engaging driving experience than typical boxy RVs built on truck chassis. Whether he fully achieved this vision four decades later remains a subject of debate. While the Hemmings obituary mentions the Vixen winning an Industrial Design Society of America’s Industrial Design Excellence Award in 1986, IDSA’s online records only go back to 2001, making verification difficult. Car and Driver‘s original road test of the Vixen, though not readily available online, is referenced in later articles as highlighting “epic body lean, a patience-testing zero-to-60-mph time of 21.8 seconds, and a top speed of 100 mph.” Fuel economy was advertised at 30 mpg, but EPA figures (https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=2787) suggest a more realistic figure closer to half that.
For those seriously considering purchasing a Vixen or eager to learn about the ownership experience, the Vixen Owner’s Association is an active community dedicated to these unique recreational vehicles. It’s a valuable resource for potential buyers and current owners alike.
The Vixen represents a fascinating chapter in recreational vehicle history. It’s a testament to innovative design and a bold attempt to merge the worlds of sports cars and motorhomes. Its rarity and unique features continue to captivate automotive enthusiasts, making it a truly special and intriguing vehicle.
