Just when you think you know what to expect of an automaker, that’s when they surprise you the most. Pontiac did it with the Aztek, Hummer did it with the H2, Ford did it with the Raptor–the list the goes on and on.

One oft-forgotten car company, however, took a stab at shattering expectations in the late 1990s, and has been more or less kept to themselves since. We’re of course talking about Isuzu, the manufacturer that everyone tends to forget when trying to list all the ones that call Japan their home.

Trucks and SUVs became Isuzu’s calling card, starting with the LUV sold through Chevrolet in the early 1970s. It didn’t take long for the company to become a victim of “badge engineering,” where GM and Honda both began passing off unexciting models to Isuzu, and as far as the American market was concerned, the company didn’t have much to claim as its very own design (other than commercial trucks).

But Isuzu didn’t take it lying down forever. Enter the VehiCROSS, a 92-inch-wheelbased, three-door, 3.5-liter-V6-powered SUV that demonstrated ingenuity and innovation were not dead at corporate headquarters. Featuring a four-wheel-drive system built by BorgWarner called “Torque on Demand” (TOD), the VehiCROSS was able to regulate wheel spin and redirect power by way of 12 independent sensors, making it incredibly useful for navigating wet or icy terrain.

Sadly, the VehiCROSS was only made for five years–1997 to 2001–and production totaled just 4,153 units for the U.S. The one seen here, made in 1999, found its way onto Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) after what appears to be a nasty center punch straight to the front.

Gone are the driver’s side fender, hood, headlights, and plastic bumper. The engine won’t start either, but that could just be a dead battery causing the issue. In sum, Farmers Insurance estimates the repairs will cost upwards of $11,000, and even then, the SUV will only be worth $4,500 when all is said and done.

It’s a costly investment, to be sure. But one someone out there will be willing to make. What would you do? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.