VX02 Imperiled?

[blacksambo]

Read this and see if this does not place the VX02 in danger:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/automobiles/collectibles/a-furor-over-sales-by-the-petersen-museum.html?hpw

[evillecutter]

i thought you couldnt just go in and see the vxo2 anyways? isnt that why a bunch of people had to pay extra to get in the back rooms? if it does sell there is a 50/50 chance it would go to a better home - maybe someone who will actually let the public see and enjoy it more

[JoFotoz]

The problem I see with the VX02....

...is drivability.

Its essentially a static display of "what if".

Given the way its constructed...

... IMO, it would fall apart if used.


Jo

[Scott Harness]

The problem I see with the VX02....

...is drivability.

Its essentially a static display of "what if".

Given the way its constructed...

... IMO, it would fall apart if used.


Jo

Jo...say it ain't so lol

[JoFotoz]

Well..its only my opinion!


Jo...say it ain't so lol

But having looked it over pretty thoroughly...
...my guess is that any significant mileage would rattle it apart.


Its a great "styling" excersize.
But the way its held together under the fancy f/glass work...

...is not up to real "useability" standards.

Jo

[Scott Larson]

I've never personally seen it Jo, only in pics and a movie, but it still rests on a full frame does it not? :_confused

[JoFotoz]

Yup..it does..BUT!

The removal of the roof obviously lends itself to flexing of the structure...

...and this hasnt (IMO!) been properly addressed.

Under the custom f/glass cover there is a very basic latice of 1 maybe 1 1/2 inch
square tube bracing...and thats it.

Its a GREAT design / fantasy / show car production...
.....but not IMO Road Worthy for any kind of normal driving.

jo

[Scott Larson]

Hmmm...Its unibody construction resting on a full truck frame should make it more then strong enough wouldn't you think? I realize that lacking a roof sacrifices rollover protection and some longitudinal rigidity but so much so that it's unsafe to drive? (Save a rollover accident of course.)

[Y33TREKker]

I'll be interested to see if it's one of the vehicles chosen for the auction block too. And while it's current state of build might not necessarily be road worthy, there's no rule that says a new owner would have to leave it that way. Seems to me all that would be required is a beefing up of the existing support structure with some heavier duty tubing and some tie-in frame/body connections when necessary (maybe with Shelby Cobra-esque roll bars). Seems like that would be nothing for a determined VX'er anyway.

[JoFotoz]

Perhaps "Not Road worthy" is a bit harsh..... :cool:

But in its present configuation, I believe it would shake apart
given the lack of body rigidity.

And for sure.. it can be made road worthy...
..pretty much anything can given time and $$'s thrown at it!


That I guess would be up to a new owner...

...should it ever sell..and should the new owner wish to cruise in it!

Jo

[dietz99vcross]

When I first saw this article a bit ago, I scrolled through all the vehicles that are going away and the VX-02 is not one the list.

[Y33TREKker]

Perhaps "Not Road worthy" is a bit harsh..... :cool:
If you say so. That seemed equivalent to a "static display" that "would fall apart if used" coming from someone who's seen it in person anyway.

[Gizmo42]

Its not horrible, but I wouldnt trust it to hold the body work together at highway speeds. Might be ok for cruising the main drag. Would need a lot of work to make the back end under the cover look the way it should for such a car and reinforce every thing.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3214/Vxo2_13.jpg

[vt_maverick]

Time to talk to the bank...

[Scott Larson]

Cool Giz, now those pics answer a few questions. I'm still not sure I would deem it as dangerous...No offense to you Jo, I respect your opinion and have not seen this little beastie in person, but would surely love too! ...it's hard to believe how dusty this little turd is, considering it's place of reverence amongst us VX nerds!

[blacksambo]

My guess is that it will go on the block in August. The only thing holding it there is the Gary Sinise association, I think and that is tentative at best.

[blacksambo]

My guess is that it will go on the block in August. The only thing holding it there is the Gary Sinise association, I think and that is tentative at best.

addendum: The VX04 is probably in the same boat?

[dietz99vcross]

All info points to neither of these going up for sale....at least not yet.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130718/carnews/130719806

[JoFotoz]

I e-mailed Petersen Museum for a full list/auction catalogue...

...and details of auction registration/bidder# etc.

If and when I hear back I'll post info.

jo

[dietz99vcross]

Here is the auction site and info.

http://www.auctionsamerica.com/events/feature-lots.cfm?SaleCode=BB13&ID=r453&Order=runorder&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=

[JoFotoz]

Thanks!



Here is the auction site and info.

http://www.auctionsamerica.com/events/feature-lots.cfm?SaleCode=BB13&ID=r453&Order=runorder&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=

...I guess I was searching in the wrong places .

:_beer:

jo

[Triathlete]

No Zu's on the block but man they've got some sweet Porsches, VW's, Shelbeys and a few nice Indians!

[evillecutter]

someone should buy the v8 vegetable juice car and mod it into a mudslinger

[JoFotoz]

1950's Thames Panel van....

...Oh how I want it!

Jo

[evillecutter]

is it just me or do the estimated prices actually seem pretty good on these?

[nfpgasmask]

I was just there (Petersen Museum) a couple weeks ago. They had the Axiom XST on display ( http://blog.isuzugeek.org/2013/07/axiom-xst-on-display-at-petersen.html ) and I was planning to pay the extra money to go into the vault. I asked the guy at the front desk if I could see the VXO2 in the vault, and he called down to the guide and reported back that, no, the VXO2 is not currently on display as part of the vault tour. I was bummed to say the least, but less bummed than I would have been if I paid the extra entry fees for me and my wife and NOT got to see the VXO2. Anyway, I wonder how much it would go for if they decided to sell it?

Bart

[dietz99vcross]

This auction is going on right now. It is being broadcast on NBCsports as write this. I want the 300SL gullwing that is going up next.

[JHarris1385]

I agree the prices are not too bad... http://www.auctionsamerica.com/events/feature-lots.cfm?SaleCode=BB13&ID=r313&Order=runorder&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=

[JoFotoz]

X2 on prices.

I'm watching the 2nd day right now....

.... I would've paid $2750 for the Ford/chevy Track racer!!

Jo

[Baldwin]

They are returning the Isuzu's back to Isuzu.

[blacksambo]

They are returning the Isuzu's back to Isuzu.

How did you find that out, and to what location will they go?

[nfpgasmask]

That is good news.

Bart

[Baldwin]

I contacted the person I've worked with before setting up the VX-O2 visits. They are no longer there, but they were able to get the info to someone else and they emailed me back.