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Car Forum / Isuzu Cars / January 2008

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I have a trooper/bighorn question..

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Elder - 26 Dec 2007 11:54 GMT
I know that through licensing and badge engineering the Isuzu
Trooper/Bighorn was badged as a Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, Chevy and Honda,
but was it ever anywhere in the world badged as a GMC?

I'm in the United Kingdom and a local car lot has what looks like a
trooper/bighorn, and with the lotus handling pack badges. But it has a
GMC grille badge and no model badging at the rear.

But, it is a diesel, and RHD. I think the US didn't get diesel models,
and RHD markets would have had other brands than GMC as it isn't
generally a strong brand outside the North American continent.

Any suggestions as to what it is.
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Carl Robson
Audio stream: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com:8000/samtest
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

GreenGas - 01 Jan 2008 05:38 GMT
>I know that through licensing and badge engineering the Isuzu
> Trooper/Bighorn was badged as a Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, Chevy and Honda,
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Any suggestions as to what it is.

Elder, you forgot Acura in that list above!  Seriously, I've never seen nor
heard of a Trooper being rebranded as a GMC, but consider this: w/o the
model branding at the rear, is it possible that somebody in the UK loves GMC
enough that they put a GMC grille badge on it?
As an aside, GM used to own about 50% of Isuzu... I'm not sure if they still
do, but they did.

If the truck LOOKS like an Isuzu, you should be able to find some Isuzu
parts under the hood. That would confirm it. The VIN should also represent
what Isuzu puts on their vehicles. If you need help understanding the VIN,
please ask. What does the owner's manual state as the model? If it's a
diesel, it wasn't sold in the US after about 1990.

IF it looks like a Isuzu Trooper, and it Smells like one, it probably IS
one, and if the price is right, and the engine is running well.... I'd go
for it. When you figure out what it is, please let us know!
r/
Steve
Elder - 08 Jan 2008 21:06 GMT
> IF it looks like a Isuzu Trooper, and it Smells like one, it probably IS
> one, and if the price is right, and the engine is running well.... I'd go
> for it. When you figure out what it is, please let us know!

The tax disc says Isuzu and a quick check on the DVLA website lists it
as an Isuzu, so it probably is.

It disappeared over Xmas, but it is back on their car lot.
DVLA lists it as a 1993 registered in 2004 so probably imported then.

It has tinted windows to rear and a blind over the back tailgate window.

I have some photos.
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com/imagery/gmc-isuzu/gmc1.jpg
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com/imagery/gmc-isuzu/gmc2.jpg
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com/imagery/gmc-isuzu/gmc3.jpg
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com/imagery/gmc-isuzu/gmc4.jpg
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com/imagery/gmc-isuzu/gmc5.jpg
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com/imagery/gmc-isuzu/gmc6.jpg

I can get 19-23mpg from the V8 Celsior, so even a fairly thirsty 4x4
should beat that, particularly if I can add a small ammount of veg oil
(upto 30%) into the mix.
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Carl Robson
Audio stream: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com:8000/samtest
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

Wesley - 11 Jan 2008 00:43 GMT
Wow...that's pretty interesting!  I'd love to know more about how it ended
up that way (GMC logos and "Handling by Lotus").  That would especially neat
to see here in the USA...

Wesley

> > IF it looks like a Isuzu Trooper, and it Smells like one, it probably IS
> > one, and if the price is right, and the engine is running well.... I'd go
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> should beat that, particularly if I can add a small ammount of veg oil
> (upto 30%) into the mix.
Elder - 11 Jan 2008 22:03 GMT
> Wow...that's pretty interesting!  I'd love to know more about how it ended
> up that way (GMC logos and "Handling by Lotus").  That would especially neat
> to see here in the USA...

The Handling by Lots is a standard special edition for the Trooper and
Bighorn.

I'm guessing with the GM/Isuzu tie ins globablly, there must be a shared
moulding somewhere in the ranges that fits another GMC vehicle. It's
hardly a complex shaped grille.
Signature

Carl Robson
Audio stream: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com:8000/samtest
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

rm - 09 Jan 2008 05:39 GMT
> I know that through licensing and badge engineering the Isuzu
> Trooper/Bighorn was badged as a Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, Chevy and Honda,
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Any suggestions as to what it is.

That's an Isuzu Trooper. Was there really a Lotus handling package for
that vehicle, or is that someone with a sense of humor?
carl.robson@gmail.com - 09 Jan 2008 12:24 GMT
> > I know that through licensing and badge engineering the Isuzu
> > Trooper/Bighorn was badged as a Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, Chevy and Honda,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> That's an Isuzu Trooper. Was there really a Lotus handling package for
> that vehicle, or is that someone with a sense of humor?

It is a Trooper/Bighorn then. I know the diesel Trooper in the UK was
manual, and the JDM import bighorn diesel has an auto option and yes,
there were Lotus and Irmscher handling editions, the lotus was a
standard beefed up suspension system, and the Irmscher used fancy
electricery on the swaybars to tighten things up on road.

If it is still there at the weekend I might go and grill the place
selling it see what they know about it.
GreenGas - 17 Jan 2008 04:37 GMT
>> > I know that through licensing and badge engineering the Isuzu
>> > Trooper/Bighorn was badged as a Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, Chevy and
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> If it is still there at the weekend I might go and grill the place
> selling it see what they know about it.

Yup. roger all. When I saw your pictures, that was the first thing I said -
its a Trooper! I've seen many a Trooper (aka Bighorn) sitting in Japan
either on car lots or by the side of the road, abandoned (not that they're
junk - Japanese just don't deregister cars sometimes, for many (strange)
reasons) that were Lotus or Irmscher packages. If this vehicle runs, and you
can get it for a reasonable price, I'd do it. Us Trooper owners here in the
US slobber over diesels - and with a good engine bringing about 4K imported,
they are worth some money. Good luck - let us know how it goes!
Steve
Elder - 17 Jan 2008 20:22 GMT
> Yup. roger all. When I saw your pictures, that was the first thing I said -
> its a Trooper! I've seen many a Trooper (aka Bighorn) sitting in Japan
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> US slobber over diesels - and with a good engine bringing about 4K imported,
> they are worth some money. Good luck - let us know how it goes!

The day after it reapearing (it was gone for a few days while they were
closed over xmas due to other cars being vandalised), before I got
chance, it was gone again.

Shame, I know they can rust underneath but this one looked very solid on
top.
Signature

Carl Robson
Audio stream: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com:8000/samtest
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

 
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