The Vixen motorhome is no stranger to these pages, as it’s one of the few vehicles of its class that can rightfully be considered a “driver’s car.” In other words, the engineering was led by someone who truly understood why anyone who actually enjoyed driving would never find piloting a massive motorhome all that tempting of an experience. The Vixen set out to change all of that, along with a smaller form factor to be able to park in your garage and slippery aerodynamics to generate better fuel efficiency. This Vixen 21SE listed here on Facebook Marketplace is one of the very rare GM 3800 V6-powered examples and the seller is asking $9,500.
When the Vixen 21 was introduced, it featured the novel combination of a BMW-sourced turbo-diesel and a 5-speed manual transmission. The transmission came from Renault, and most of the Vixen was a parts bin special. However, the BMW engine provided acceptable thrust for a diesel, reaching 60 in about 20 seconds. Rowing your own gears in a vehicle like like had to at least trigger the occasional giggle fit, but it was likely quickly quieted when realizing you were going nowhere fast. The original Vixen also had a pop-top style roof which allowed it to park inside most garages; as you can see, the GM-powered version has a raised, fixed roof, which creates more headroom but relegates it to outside parking.
The challenge with the original pop-up design was that until you were fully popped-up, the Vixen was tight inside for tall occupants. The raised roof seen here created much more usable head room, and given most Vixen owners likely parked outside anyway, this was probably seen as a welcome change. The GM drivetrain offered a serious boost in horsepower, to the tune of a 55 b.h.p. bump over the diesel engine. Sadly, the manual was also removed, replaced with a conventional GM 4-speed automatic. But again, like the fixed roof, how many owners really relished the opportunity to hustle a Vixen through an ancient Renault gearbox?
The 3800 is a famously reliable engine, and some Vixen enthusiasts have even ripped that engine out in favor of dropping in a supercharged version, which makes this a legitimate motorhome hot rod. The Vixen shown here is quite rare in SE trim, with estimates hovering around 170 examples ever built, and we’ve seen enough of these in junkyards and otherwise abandoned to know the attrition rate is high. The seller notes that this Vixen has a slipping transmission, but he has secured and entirely separate 3800 and matching transmission to go with the project, so the next owner should have a functioning transmission ready to drop in. Is this rare motorhome worth repairing?
Vixen needs fixin.
Vixen with all the fixin’s?
Vixen for Howard ?
Different, but I kind of like it. Not a bulky RV, seems just the right size. Going to need some work, that goes without saying and the engine seems a bit small to haul this thing around. But all in all could be fun.
These are smaller than you might guess from photos, only about as tall as a full-size van (tho’ the fixed pent-roof here adds several inches), and just over a foot longer than a final-gen Econoline with the 15-passenger Extended body, so the engines are at least adequate for the mass, if not exactly spirited.
Why it was discontinued when it was is a mystery to me. Not everyone needs or wants a 30’+ turbo diesel pusher box on wheels, which is what most motorhomes offered today are. I would think that most, if not everyone would appreciate a much smaller Diesel pusher motorhome. I know I would. Diesel fuel is already crazy expensive as it is, why make it more expensive by adding millions of lbs. of weight of body to the mix? I’d prefer a 20-21′ Diesel pusher any day.
So,,,,is it worth atleast 20 grand? The new motor and trans that he has to put in it is nice but you don’t know if either work at all or at the very least well enough to feel comfortable driving a thousand miles without doing atleast 5 trial runs from 10 miles to 500. Then start on all electrical, lights, turn signals, brakes. You know all the little mundane stuff. Lol
I’d HAVE to put new tires all the way around and thats a couple grand now. It could be a good buy if a guy is a all around jack of all trades mechanic.
I hope him well in his sell but in my humble opinion, it’s not worth half of what he’s asking with what has to be done but I am sure he knows that.
I’ve always been interested in the Vixen SE motorhome. I don’t know how many exactly were produced. This looks like it needs to be cleaned up. If I had someone to share the experience, I’d keep stock what can be kept stock, while upgrading what needs to be upgraded. Among the upgrades I’d give it would be a Duramax 2.8 litre Diesel engine.
My Dad was seriously looking to buy one. (My step Mom shows dogs all over the country) Dad was an ex-Greyhound mechanic when he got out of the army. And had the skills to do whatever was necessary to repair and maintain anything. The selling dealer/manufacturer would not budge off the asking price and Dad thought he was getting gouge. So he bought a front wheel drive GMC coach instead.
If he’s a good mechanic and mom enjoys first class motor homes, the GMC Olds TORONADO unit is great.
Size-wise, this would be perfect! At 21′, it would be perfect for the newbie RVer, the traveling entrepreneur, or the veteran RVer looking to downsize from the 40′ motorhome. I’d want my first motorhome to be between 20′ and 25′ in length. It’s also short enough in height that you could fit in most garages. I also find it way more attractive than most Class A motorhomes, which look like cargo boxes. It doesn’t look like a cargo box it came in. Mechanically, I’d make it a Diesel pusher, either by installing a Duramax 2.8 litre Turbo Diesel or a 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel.
Get me the vin # and I can help out with previous owners.