No, you’re not seeing things: this is another Vixen motorhome offered for sale, just hours after we spotted the GM-powered variant featured here on Barn Finds. This futuristic-looking RV features two distinct components not found on the updated model, which was a BMW turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine and a pop-top roof (which, when stowed, allows the Vixen to slide into standard garage openings.) The Vixen as it’s shown here on craigslist is said to have rough cosmetics and an interior that needs plenty of work, but the engine is said to run well and the magical pop-top works as intended. The seller is asking $20,000.
That’s a lot of coin for one of these, admittedly, but if you were desperate to park one of these in your driveway this summer, you don’t have many to choose from. Some might say this earlier version with the flat roof and BMW engine is the one you want, owing to its truly quirky combination of features. When I was deep into the world of vintage BMWs, this RV was on my radar as a bit of a bucket list project that would leave no question as to my brand devotion, but even for me, it was a bridge too far. They seemingly always and only popped up as projects, with no one specimen ever in good enough shape to justify taking the plunge on.
Coupled with the fact that the Vixen does have a bit of a following and it wasn’t uncommon to see asking prices like this made it a no-go for me. I’m not sure how the seller arrived at this asking price, other than the fact that most of the work needed seems to be of the cosmetic variety. The BMW turbodiesel wasn’t fast, clocking in with just 115 horsepower, but it made the whole package seem slightly exotic. How many RVs offered aerodynamic styling with a rear-mounted BMW engine and a 5-speed manual? Only one. And with less than 600 made across both the BMW and GM-powered variants, calling it rare is an understatement.
A few years ago, when I still had my manual transmission-swapped 2003 VW Eurovan, I took it on two long-distance trips with my family in tow. I grew to not enjoy it much, owing to the fear of something breaking somewhere inconvenient. The Vixen, for all its wonderful qualities, will always give me the same pause even if one in mint condition came up for sale with a reasonable asking price. However, for anyone more courageous than I, there is a dedicated network behind these motorhomes committed to helping keep them on the road and support the owners that choose to road-trip in one of the coolest homes on wheels ever made. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
This Vixen checks many boxes. And also Unchecks many boxes at the same time. The price for starters. I’m in the middle of a Vice Grip Garage episode right now where Derek is driving a 40 year old RV home. He’s very funny if you’ve watched him, and his sense of humor definitely comes out in this new one. But you see first hand the issues you run into with a vintage RV. Wiring is one of them. You’d have to walk into this with open eyes, an open mind, and an open wallet. Jeff brings out a very good and realistic point with his own Eurovan experience. What IF you break down in an inconvenient location? Where do you find parts for the Vixen? Or the Bimmer Diesel? The one huge box this checks off for me though is the BMW Diesel and the manual transmission. Thats just so rare to see in any RV. Toyota chassis RVs are all I can think of from the 80’s. It would definitely take some work to get this looking up to snuff again. It definitely needs a certain type of buyer. Great write up Jeff. And a really cool find too.
Bang on the buck on all points, Dave-and who can forget the experience of being behind a wheezing little Toyota Sunrader on some narrow, winding, obscure two lane traversing a mountain pass at 15MPH below the posted speed limit?
Imagination and ingenuity did overcome that though when a friend (with an import business for used Japanese engines) put a Toyota V-8 in one which woke it right up.
And thanks for the note about Vice Grip Garage. That’s on my list now!
I checked one out in my neighborhood that was for sale. They are super cool. The FB group provides a lot of insight into their quirks. I’ve often thought how nice it’d be to do a swap with the BMW B57 twin turbo diesel…just to make a complicated situation even more complicated.
Maybe factoring in breaking down should be part of the adventure?
Primo finds a unicorn 🦄.
Hopefully Howard writes ✍️ in on this one too 👍 Thanks Lavery for the write up.