- Japanese-German crossbreed SUV offers museum-level quality at a not-yet-ludicrous price on the Bring a Trailer auction site.
- This right-hand-drive Isuzu Trooper was a collaboration between Isuzu and German tuner Irmscher Automobilbau.
- Powered by Isuzu’s venerated 2.8-liter intercooled turbo-diesel inline four, it has traveled just 25,000 miles since new.
UPDATE 4/15/19: The auction has officially concluded, with the Irmscher-R tuned Trooper selling for a final price of $22,500.
The first-generation Isuzu Trooper SUV is many things to many people. In fact, it's the Holden Jackaroo to Aussies and Kiwis, the Vauxhall and Opel Monterey to the Brits and Europeans, and the Acura SLX here in the States, and there are at least half a dozen additional names for it around the world. But this low-mileage, one-of-100 1989 Trooper Bighorn Irmscher-R turbo-diesel up for bids on Bring a Trailer is truly the smallest and rarest of Bighorns, especially here in the States.
While the first-generation Trooper may seem like an odd canvas for established tuner Irmscher Automobilbau to apply its talents to, this SUV was cooked up with Isuzu's blessing. The answer to why it happened has long been lost to the dustbin of history, but boy, are we grateful that it did. Irmscher, after all, built its reputation by customizing, tuning, designing, and manufacturing performance parts for numerous vehicles, particularly those that fall under the Opel/Vauxhall General Motors umbrella. (Irmscher previously worked with Peugeot, so now that PSA has "saved" Opel Vauxhall from GM, we expect the relationship to remain intact.) GM owned 34 percent of Isuzu at the time, so the Isuzu/Irmscher matchup at least has a thread of continuity.
Fittingly for such an oddball entry, the precise history of this right-hand-drive example is vague. After reportedly spending much of its life in a Japanese museum, the vehicle made its way to the United States in 2015 and has been with its current owner for approximately three years. A 2.8-liter intercooled turbo-diesel inline four works with a five-speed manual transmission and two-speed transfer case to provide motivation, and the odometer shows just 25,000 miles since new. The list of recently replaced items includes the battery, alternator, and clutch slave cylinder. A 2016 appraisal report and a clean Illinois title will accompany the sale; however, first the current owner has a loan that must be satisfied.
Unfortunately, the Irmscher modifications are limited almost entirely to cosmetic and comfort items, including an Irmscher exterior graphics package with European Spirit by Isuzu spelled out on the front fenders and BIGHORN spelled out above the rear window. A hood scoop, fender flares, and Irmscher-branded mud flaps and spare tire cover add to the radness. The interior, which appears in photos to be cleaner than most suburban living rooms, features a custom Irmscher steering wheel and floor mats; Recaro front seats add to the vibe.
Whether or not the 1989 Isuzu Trooper Bighorn Irmscher-R possesses enough retro-SUV quirkiness to separate you from your savings is, as always, a highly personal decision.
Andrew Wendler brings decades of wrenching, writing, and editorial experience with numerous outlets to Car and Driver. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Car and Driver, Esquire, Forbes, Hot Rod, Motor Trend, MPH, MSN, and Popular Mechanics, among others. A Rust Belt native and tireless supporter of the region, he grew up immersed in automotive, marine, and aviation culture. A lifetime of hands-on experience and a healthy dose of skepticism provide him the tools to deliver honest and informative news, reviews, and editorial perspective. Of note, he once won a $5 bet by walking the entire length of the elevated People Mover up track that encircles downtown Detroit.
