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Vixen (RV)
Encyclopedia
The Vixen was a recreational vehicle
designed by Bill Collins and built from 1986 until 1989. A total of 578 Vixen motorhomes of three different types were built: the Vixen 21 TD (1986–1987), Vixen 21 SE (1988–1989), and Vixen 21 XC (1986–1987).
Oftentimes noted as the "Driver's RV", what made it stand out was a very low center of gravity and a very wide stance. Instead of lumbering down the highway, it had a manual transmission and when the turbo kicked in it zoomed down the highway. Owners often noted when they first got theirs up to 100 MPH, and yet it averaged about 30 MPG using a BMW M21
turbo-diesel engine. Due to emissions concerns this was one of the last to be imported into the US for years. Wind tunnel testing was used to create a compeletely smooth exterior encased in fiberglass top and bottom, which gave it the extra advantage it needed to get those numbers.
It was designed as an answer to the GMC motorhome
, popular at the time and no longer manufactured, the Vixen had all the comforts but could be stored in a garage as it was only 6 feet high and 21 feet long. Some other advancements on the original model included removing many of the trappings of a full RV, such as generator and water heater, thus allowing it to run entirely on diesel. Two house batteries and one of the first electric inverters in an RV allowed the owner to run the microwave and the air-conditioning, and anything plugged into 110-volt outlets, off the batteries that were charged by the 120-amp alternator. Of course batteries won't last too long so you could also plug-in at a campsite. The hot water came from a campsite or the fresh water tank on board and was heated by a heat exchanger that used the same engine heat used to warm the passenger compartment. Since diesels are not known for developing waste heat quickly there was also an auxiliary diesel heater that could raise the temp of the engine coolant for winter starting, or to keep the RV warm or the water hot. It was fuel efficient and running under the hood of the RV made it quiet, and you didn't need to stop for propane to fuel it. Unfortunately, notorious for needing service.
When you got to your destination the fiberglass roof hinged up on one side and fold-out windows filled the gap, allowing a 6'2" individual to stand fully and walk around. A curtain in the bath attached to the raised roof to keep water in the shower and for privacy, with a sump to move water from the shower floor up to the holding tank. The front passenger seat held two and flipped backwards to join the dinette to seat four at meal time. Both seats folded flat to provide the front bed, while in the back above the engine was a full time full-sized bed that used a standard mattress, not a thin piece of foam like most RVs. The kitchen included the Microwave, an electric refrigerator, sink above the hot water heat exchanger and an alcohol fired stove. Those who do a lot of cooking would sometimes replace the stove with a modern diesel powered cooktop, standard marine fare.
Though the driving press seemed to love it, the public only bought a bit over 300 of the original TD model in the first two years of business. Financing took a hit. The company Vixen was invented around the design and as the sales didn't materialize the designers and factory started making changes hoping for a hit. The first change was a model called the XC that was envisioned as a large taxi or limo. Removing the kitchen and bath, and installing more couches, but keeping the bed in back there was now seating for nine. The following year the company tried to appeal to the traditional RV market by including all the touches liked by the RV buyer, a gasoline engine with more off the line power and no problems with overheating on mountain roads, automatic transmission, a real water heater, and a propane furnace. All this was wrapped in a full-time extended roof that a 6'4" man could stand comfortably under. Even regular roof air-conditioning was included, at the cost of the height advantage of the original Vixen TD, now needing a high-roof garage, or suffering outdoor parking. This model, the SE, would be the last for Vixen, and with less than 300 sold the company folded in 1989. Many of the assets were purchased by a group of owners who have gone on to support the aging Vixens with service and support.
One other thing that seems to separate the Vixen RV from the pack is that few Vixens got the same paint. If you saw one and later saw another with the same color and pin-striping it is likely the same one. This may be an artifact of the age of the RVs as they all would have needed a paint-job by now, but they seem to have held together pretty well, often fetching three-quarters of their original price when sold used years later. A few standard modifications are being made to them as they age, a lower first gear is popular as the original designed 3.0 liter Isuzu diesel engine was not available and was replaced by the BMW, which has a different power curve. The lower gearing for first and second allows the Vixen much easier starts from a light on a hill. Also real vacuum assisted brakes, and electric fans to cool the engine are popular. The Air Ride system is the other thing, along with the Webasto aux. heater, that tends to fail over time and is not fixed by owners.
Recreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle or RV is, in North America, the usual term for a Motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.-Features:...
designed by Bill Collins and built from 1986 until 1989. A total of 578 Vixen motorhomes of three different types were built: the Vixen 21 TD (1986–1987), Vixen 21 SE (1988–1989), and Vixen 21 XC (1986–1987).
Oftentimes noted as the "Driver's RV", what made it stand out was a very low center of gravity and a very wide stance. Instead of lumbering down the highway, it had a manual transmission and when the turbo kicked in it zoomed down the highway. Owners often noted when they first got theirs up to 100 MPH, and yet it averaged about 30 MPG using a BMW M21
BMW M21
The BMW M21 was a 2.4 L diesel straight-6 engine.It was introduced in 1983 with the BMW M20 design as its basis. It was available with a turbocharger....
turbo-diesel engine. Due to emissions concerns this was one of the last to be imported into the US for years. Wind tunnel testing was used to create a compeletely smooth exterior encased in fiberglass top and bottom, which gave it the extra advantage it needed to get those numbers.
It was designed as an answer to the GMC motorhome
GMC motorhome
The GMC motorhome was produced by the GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors for the 1973 through 1978 model years in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. It was the only complete motorhome built by a major auto/truck manufacturer producing what GMC hoped would be their halo vehicle...
, popular at the time and no longer manufactured, the Vixen had all the comforts but could be stored in a garage as it was only 6 feet high and 21 feet long. Some other advancements on the original model included removing many of the trappings of a full RV, such as generator and water heater, thus allowing it to run entirely on diesel. Two house batteries and one of the first electric inverters in an RV allowed the owner to run the microwave and the air-conditioning, and anything plugged into 110-volt outlets, off the batteries that were charged by the 120-amp alternator. Of course batteries won't last too long so you could also plug-in at a campsite. The hot water came from a campsite or the fresh water tank on board and was heated by a heat exchanger that used the same engine heat used to warm the passenger compartment. Since diesels are not known for developing waste heat quickly there was also an auxiliary diesel heater that could raise the temp of the engine coolant for winter starting, or to keep the RV warm or the water hot. It was fuel efficient and running under the hood of the RV made it quiet, and you didn't need to stop for propane to fuel it. Unfortunately, notorious for needing service.
When you got to your destination the fiberglass roof hinged up on one side and fold-out windows filled the gap, allowing a 6'2" individual to stand fully and walk around. A curtain in the bath attached to the raised roof to keep water in the shower and for privacy, with a sump to move water from the shower floor up to the holding tank. The front passenger seat held two and flipped backwards to join the dinette to seat four at meal time. Both seats folded flat to provide the front bed, while in the back above the engine was a full time full-sized bed that used a standard mattress, not a thin piece of foam like most RVs. The kitchen included the Microwave, an electric refrigerator, sink above the hot water heat exchanger and an alcohol fired stove. Those who do a lot of cooking would sometimes replace the stove with a modern diesel powered cooktop, standard marine fare.
Though the driving press seemed to love it, the public only bought a bit over 300 of the original TD model in the first two years of business. Financing took a hit. The company Vixen was invented around the design and as the sales didn't materialize the designers and factory started making changes hoping for a hit. The first change was a model called the XC that was envisioned as a large taxi or limo. Removing the kitchen and bath, and installing more couches, but keeping the bed in back there was now seating for nine. The following year the company tried to appeal to the traditional RV market by including all the touches liked by the RV buyer, a gasoline engine with more off the line power and no problems with overheating on mountain roads, automatic transmission, a real water heater, and a propane furnace. All this was wrapped in a full-time extended roof that a 6'4" man could stand comfortably under. Even regular roof air-conditioning was included, at the cost of the height advantage of the original Vixen TD, now needing a high-roof garage, or suffering outdoor parking. This model, the SE, would be the last for Vixen, and with less than 300 sold the company folded in 1989. Many of the assets were purchased by a group of owners who have gone on to support the aging Vixens with service and support.
One other thing that seems to separate the Vixen RV from the pack is that few Vixens got the same paint. If you saw one and later saw another with the same color and pin-striping it is likely the same one. This may be an artifact of the age of the RVs as they all would have needed a paint-job by now, but they seem to have held together pretty well, often fetching three-quarters of their original price when sold used years later. A few standard modifications are being made to them as they age, a lower first gear is popular as the original designed 3.0 liter Isuzu diesel engine was not available and was replaced by the BMW, which has a different power curve. The lower gearing for first and second allows the Vixen much easier starts from a light on a hill. Also real vacuum assisted brakes, and electric fans to cool the engine are popular. The Air Ride system is the other thing, along with the Webasto aux. heater, that tends to fail over time and is not fixed by owners.