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Few names in automotive history make the average car enthusiast’s skin crawl like, “Geo”. Geo was General Motors response to the growing number of Japanese and South Korean imports that had invaded the U.S. market. Essentially taking the most boring and insipid models from Suzuki, Toyota and Isuzu and building them stateside, Geo embodied the whole, “Who Gives A...” attitude that has made GM so reviled by some.

The Geo Storm was essentially an Isuzu Impulse stripped off all the things that would have made the latter an appealing proposition to the enthusiast: Lotus tuned suspension, turbocharger and AWD. What was left was essentially a four-cylinder sedan with two less doors and a vaguely sporty body. Still, it was a big seller for Geo and GM, no doubt leaving the corpse of Colin Chapman rolling in his grave.

And so it was, from the depths of eBay Hell, a “1 of a kind” Geo Storm pickup truck. Behold the myriad of features such as a sliding rear window with “WWII Bomber Girl mural”, gullwing T-Tops and custom 17-inch rims. A fourth generation Camaro-style front end, red white and blue “Patriotic paint theme”, a Chevy Chevelle SS hood cowling and a shaved tail gate handle complete the exterior package.

The car retrains Isuzu’s 12-valve engine and 5spd manual transmission, the former of which has recently had a comprehensive tune-up. It’s hard to poke too much fun at the seller: a civilian combat veteran hit by some family health problems. All told it’s a good conversion and the price – US$13,000 – could be a lot worse. Check out the pics (and video) and leave your voice your opinion below.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: eBay

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The Isuzu Pickups made their debut in 2006, and the crew cab model was quickly nominated as "Truck of the Year" by two different magazines, "Truck of Texas" and "Four Wheeler of the Year." IntelliChoice named the 2006 models a "Smart Choice" in ten different ownership-cost categories, and singled out the 2006 i-280 Extended Cab S as the "Top Winner" in its class for lowest repair costs.

For 2007, the i-280 Extended Cab 4x2 becomes the i-290, and the i-350 Crew Cab 4x4 is renamed the i-370. Trim levels remain unchanged: the i-290 is available in base S trim, with Preferred Equipment, LS and Luxury packages optional, and the i-370 is available in LS or optional Limited trim. Both vehicles get larger, more powerful engines. The changes for the 2007 model year:

• 2.9-liter inline four-cylinder engine replaces 2.8-liter, increasing horsepower to 185 hp (vs. 175) and torque to 190 ft.-lbs. (vs. 185)
• 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine replaces 3.5-liter, increasing horsepower to 242 hp (from 220) and torque to 242 ft.-lbs. (vs. 225)
• Base i-290 S available with automatic transmission as well as manual transmission
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System added as standard equipment on all models
• 3.73 rear axle ratio added on manual transmission models (replaces 3.42 rear axle ratio)
• Towing capacity of manual transmission models increases from 1,700 to 2,100 lbs.
• Pacific Blue exterior color added
• Deep Crimson Metallic replaces Red Rock Metallic exterior color
• Bering Blue Metallic replaces Adriatic Blue Metallic exterior color
• Ebony interior trim replaces Very Dark Pewter (LS, Luxury and Limited)
• Chrome accents added to HVAC lever, gauges, and speaker surrounds (LS, Luxury and Limited)
• Chrome accents to be added mid-year to interior door handles and locks (LS, Luxury and Limited
• Map lights deleted from inside rear view mirror

Despite these upgrades, pricing is unchanged from 2006. The i-290 Extended Cab 4x2 S begins at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $16,989, while the i-370 Crew Cab 4x4 LS starts at an M.S.R.P. of $27,358.

IntelliChoice named the 2006 Ascender 5-Passenger a "Top Winner" in its class for both lowest fuel cost and lowest operating cost, and a "Smart Choice" in eight other categories. Isuzu's flagship SUV returns for 2007, sized "just right" to offer plenty of room for five passengers, and with the multiple award-winning 4.2-liter inline six- cylinder engine under its hood. Changes include the following:

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System added as standard equipment on all models
• Bering Blue Metallic replaces Adriatic Blue Metallic
• Storm Gray Metallic replaces Graphite Gray Metallic
• Six-spoke machined-finish alloy wheels replace painted wheels as standard equipment
• OnStar communication system discontinued as an available option
• 7-Passenger model discontinued
• Trim levels are unchanged. Both 2WD and 4WD models are available in base S trim and offer optional Preferred Equipment, LS, Leather and Luxury packages.

Prices are unchanged as well. The Ascender 2WD begins at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $25,959, and the Ascender 4WD has a base M.S.R.P. of $27,959.