When it comes to RVs, the sky is the limit as it relates to makes and models. However, this is the first time I’ve ever seen something called an Isuzu Navette that sports an extremely streamlined front end with authentic Dodge Caravan headlights. Even more amazing, the seller is not some ex-pat from Japan, or an individual who would have a logical reason for owning this; instead, it just seems like some guy’s dad in Lincoln, Illinois happened upon it and then never got to use it. Find this highly unusual motorhome listed here on Facebook Marketplace, which is apparently just one of 16 ever made.
There is very little to go on, so we have to trust Google for giving us authentic information. Apparently, it wasn’t built by Isuzu but was built on an Isuzu chassis. The builder was a company called BBC RV, Inc., which took an interest in this particular combination of mechanical components for an unknown reason. There’s a 2.9L turbo-diesel engine under the hood (somewhere) that may be the 4D30 engine that I’m guessing was found in Isuzu’s commercial trucks at the time. Whatever the exact configuration is, this would not have been the sort of engine you could get serviced at your average road-side stop.
It’s hard to tell where the interior components come from, as it’s not completely obvious like the Caravan-sourced headlights are. The plastic looks to be of decent quality but who the heck knows from this far away. I will say, for an RV that has clearly been sitting, it doesn’t appear to be falling apart. There’s a period-correct CB radio and what looks like a steering wheel sourced from any number of domestic vehicles at the time. The colors are interesting – there’s a mix of teal, tan, blue, and gray, and it all combines to give off a vibe of being a very 90s product. The streamlined exterior shows a distinct interest in looking futuristic, while perhaps also improving fuel economy at the same time.
The seller is apologetic for the interior condition at the moment, but seems confident it will clean up. It does just look messy but not wet or otherwise trashed. The seller mentions that his dad had big plans for this unusual RV, but simply states that life got in the way. I imagine this is the challenge with most RVs purchased as projects: grand visions for road trips with the family, but no time to make it nearly reliable enough for such journeys. While most motorhomes are parted out to strip the valuable 454 V8 from the chassis, this one makes more sense to keep whole, both for the rarity and the durability of those overbuilt Isuzu diesels.
If the house is a rockin, don’t bother knockin…just run like heck.
Or, “Don’t laugh, your daughter could be in here”
Talk about standing out, this would do it.
That is as cool as it gets. I know we’ve done a few steam trains, but I thought this thing was a bullet train. Excellent find and research, Jeff!
Bullet Vette!
I was thinking more of a subway engine..
Good write-up Jeff. While I’m not into motor homes, this is kind of interesting. What is the heritage of other components? Is there some history from the manufacturer? Experiences from the owner (who is the seller’s dad)? I was expecting low miles, e.g. the owners years ago ran into a mechanical issue which could not be solved. But it has 93k miles, so it was well-used. Details of the mechanical condition?
If I was the seller, I might have spent ten minutes tidying up the interior before the pics. “I know what I have” — an obscure RV which has sat for seven years…
You could always use it to tow a Pontiac TranSport.
Given the hidden front wheels, it has either a very narrow front track, and, or a very reduced steering sweep, making cornering in tight spots an adventure.
It sure looks fast. The multiple interior colors remind me of the price leader conversion van we had around the same time. We sold more than one. Sometimes price is king.
What’s up with the velour steering wheel. Those suede ones always give me the ick.
$19,000 (sounds really high) in Illinois. At least the Facebook link worked.
The “unknown reason” that the builder used this engine is that it is nearly bulletproof. The turbo gives it a little go power, and building it on the Isuzu chassis just makes good sense. Too bad it wasn’t a financial success.
Well Isuzu build’s some really good box trucks so the drivetrain would be good for something else otherwise I would want to see it in person to check for leaks and other typical RV issues that can be expensive if you don’t know what you are doing. There’s a reason only 15 were made makes me wonder where the other 14 are but I’m not going to drop $19k on a $500 toy to find out
2.9 turbodiesel? Whew… 0-60 in weeks? Always gotta love the “we know what we have…” Just because it is rare, doesn’t mean anyone else wants it. (My backyard is proof of that…).
LOL! Right? Being a motorhome owner, $19k can buy a fair amount of coach, that can actually be serviced. That coupled with a 2.9l diesel??? That’s just a hard past, slap that thing in a museum and forget about it!
It’s a shame the little green man didn’t make it into every shot. Would have loved to see him behind the wheel, in the galley, in the shower, in the bed, on the can ….
Another one of those “Don’t Lowball We Know What We Have Sellers”!
What you have is 30 year old motorhome with no batteries, does not run and needs a ton of work and is one of just 15 built because:
NOBODY WANTED ONE WHEN THEY WERE NEW EITHER!
Rare does not mean Desireable!
Another VASTLY OVERPRICED PROJECT looking for a SUCKER!
I like the bullet train exterior. It would be interesting to give the interior a euro-style makeover to match.
Odd looking future vehicle for its time. Good luck finding parts for the body!
might have added this 2 my list: ’73/8 GMC motorhome (the shortie), Vixen – more right sized, as is the Rialta. But…
only 6 made, out of range 4 me…
I’ve never seen one of these before, thanks Jeff! She’s sitting mighty low in the saddle though, it looks like the tires are flat or they have air suspension like my GMC did? I have no idea. At any rate, it turns out Kellogg had a custom built one they used to pull their Tony The Tiger hot air balloon and it toured the country for 15 years. I had no idea Tony had a hot air balloon either, but the rig is on dreamfindersrv dot com if anybody is interested in taking a gander.
Shows “Pending Sale” now on Facebook ad.
Kinda looks like the EM50 from the movie Stripes!
What you have here is an serviceable dinosaur with a windshield leak and unrealistic asking price..
Beautiful looking RV. It’s a damned shame that not many were produced before being discontinued.