The First American Supercar... Vector W-8 V8 Twin Turbo

[xknowonex]

The First American Supercar... Vector W-8 V8 Twin Turbo

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3218757928_5f35d2aab7_b.jpg

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More Full Sized Shots
http://the-perfect-exposure.blogspot.com/2009/01/vector-w-8-v8-twin-turbo-first-american.html

[Paul J McCain]

Does the GT not count?

EDIT: nevermind didn't realize this wasn't a new car!

[JasonWilliam]

LOL guess the Saleen S7 doesn't count either?

Edit: Missed "The first" part. The Saleen S7 didn't start production till '00. My bad.

Nice shots, anyway!

[asylumxl]

And how sucessful they've all been :)

[JasonWilliam]

EDIT: nevermind didn't realize this wasn't a new car!I dunno. I might still say the GT was the 'first'; but probably not the GT you were thinking (the 05?). The "GT40" was a purpose built car that, depending on how you define it, really could be considered a supercar. And its been around since the late '60s.

[Toeslider]

The history of this car is an interesting read. I wasn't aware one ever made it into private hands. The car was the brainchild of Jerry Weigert (sp?), and at one point I believe the company was purchased by Lamborghini? Look it up. The guy was a master at hyping a product. If you didn't know any better you would think there were hundreds of these around, but in actuality there were only ever a couple running prototypes, and a few other chassis under construction. There was even a HotWheel car based on it.

Where did you photograph it?

[xknowonex]

Cars and Coffee Irvine.

Correct me if I am wrong, the original Ford GT40 of the 60s didn't hit 200+

[JasonWilliam]

I believe you're right.

However if you're using that MPH mark to define what a supercar is, I'd have to disagree with ya. For the day, the GT40 was top dog over the likes of Ferrari and Aston Martin, Jag and Benz, winning 4 straight '24 Hours of Le Mans' competitions... a supercar indeed. :)

[Toeslider]

Did a little research, apparently as many as 19-22 made it into the public. I hadn't read up on it in a while.

I could swear Vector cars were displayed as part of Lamborghini's booth at the Detroit Auto Show about ten years ago. I don't know if I can find the pictures, but I know I have them. I know there was one there, just don't know what company or person owned the brand at the time. The only reference I could find of the company changing hands was to a middle eastern company in what appeared to be a hostile takeover.

[gonças]

And how sucessful they've all been :)

lmao!


where's the gear stick?

[DennisW1]

Cars and Coffee Irvine.

Correct me if I am wrong, the original Ford GT40 of the 60s didn't hit 200+


Um, yes it did.

The 1966 MkII version with the 427ci Nascar motor was clocked at 212mph on the long straight at LeMans.

[JasonWilliam]

Um, yes it did.

The 1966 MkII version with the 427ci Nascar motor was clocked at 212mph on the long straight at LeMans.Ah very cool! I was thinkin of the MkI. Don't think it did over 130, right?

[RadAL]

I dunno. I might still say the GT was the 'first'; but probably not the GT you were thinking (the 05?). The "GT40" was a purpose built car that, depending on how you define it, really could be considered a supercar. And its been around since the late '60s.

but it wasnt ALL AMERICAN though. The MKIV GT40 was the only all american GT40 but they never officially made a street legal version of that. Jim Glickenhause (famous P4/5 owner) has a street legal GT40 MKIV though... (obviously started out as a real race car)

[JasonWilliam]

but it wasnt ALL AMERICAN though.:confused: The OP didn't say "All American".

Not sure anything is 'all' anything anymore, anyway :eek:

[RadAL]

AND the car in the picture is not a W8 Twin Turbo.... its a WX3R... IE the WX3 Roadster... there was the Greenish/torqouis Coupe made too (but not many people know there was this Purple roadster made too) Its a concept car since there was only this (WX3R) and the WX3 made. No further cars were made in the WX3 series.

[PhotosGuy]

Great light on the 1st one.

[RadAL]

:confused: The OP didn't say "All American".

Not sure anything is 'all' anything anymore, anyway :eek:

he said "first american supercar" Well, american it has to be all american" and yes, Jerry Weigart made sure this was all american, Trust me. I know the history of the Vector well. (i'm a nerd i guess). All the parts were mostly from the aircraft industry, even the instrument screen was from a F117 (no joke). I don't hate non american supercars. no way, but this was literally the first American one. I'm just trying to help out the uninformed :)

[Padrino]

Thank God for the Vette and GT40...

[DealsGapCobra]

I have to say that I LOVE the W-2, as seen in RadAL's avatar. Its the car that I day dreamed about in high school. I still have the copy of Car and Drive with the Vector on the cover. In fact, when my family traveled to LA I indited that we visit the factory. They lost me a bit on the W-8...so much so that I really didn't pay much attention to it at that point. I think Lambo eventually bought them?

Edit - I get so excited thinking about the original Vector that I forgot to comment on the photos!

Nice Work.

[JasonWilliam]

he said "first american supercar" Well, american it has to be all american" and yes, Jerry Weigart made sure this was all american, Trust me. I know the history of the Vector well. (i'm a nerd i guess). All the parts were mostly from the aircraft industry, even the instrument screen was from a F117 (no joke). I don't hate non american supercars. no way, but this was literally the first American one. I'm just trying to help out the uninformed :)Seems like yer picking a fight to me. Its considered an American classic in the car clubs and groups I frequent. And its got 'supercar' written all over it.

Yes its designed and engineered by a Brit, but its an American concept, paid for by an American company, directed under an American's goal to beat the world at their own game...

But its all good. Don't want to derail the thread with semantics. I will leave ya with a bit of advice though: if I'm you, I avoid walking up to a GT40 owner and telling 'em his car isn't an American classic :)

[xknowonex]

lmao!


where's the gear stick?

Its hidden down near the driver's side door sill. Its a 3 speed auto

[xknowonex]

AND the car in the picture is not a W8 Twin Turbo.... its a WX3R... IE the WX3 Roadster... there was the Greenish/torqouis Coupe made too (but not many people know there was this Purple roadster made too) Its a concept car since there was only this (WX3R) and the WX3 made. No further cars were made in the WX3 series.

Okay, so it is a WX-3 as shown in the embroidery of the seats and the fact that it is a roadster. I wonder why it got badged as a W-8

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3218767102_990c796bc3_b.jpg

[samurairx7]

whhhhattt the inside of that car is really different

[RadAL]

I have to say that I LOVE the W-2, as seen in RadAL's avatar. Its the car that I day dreamed about in high school. I still have the copy of Car and Drive with the Vector on the cover. In fact, when my family traveled to LA I indited that we visit the factory. They lost me a bit on the W-8...so much so that I really didn't pay much attention to it at that point. I think Lambo eventually bought them?

Edit - I get so excited thinking about the original Vector that I forgot to comment on the photos!

Nice Work.

the W2 evolved into the W8... right now it looks like a W8 (in storage I believe)

[RadAL]

Okay, so it is a WX-3 as shown in the embroidery of the seats and the fact that it is a roadster. I wonder why it got badged as a W-8



interesting, never knew of that badge, pretty odd.

[RadAL]

Seems like yer picking a fight to me. Its considered an American classic in the car clubs and groups I frequent. And its got 'supercar' written all over it.

Yes its designed and engineered by a Brit, but its an American concept, paid for by an American company, directed under an American's goal to beat the world at their own game...

But its all good. Don't want to derail the thread with semantics. I will leave ya with a bit of advice though: if I'm you, I avoid walking up to a GT40 owner and telling 'em his car isn't an American classic :)

Hey, its an Anglo American classic!

[lambocars]

In 1998 the Vector M12 was shown to the public, this car used the engine from a Lamborghini Diablo in fact, note that both Lamborghini and Vector Automotive were owned by an investment group in the Far East.

This group consisted of Megatech, Mycom Sedtco and V'Power and bought Lamborghini in January 1994 to be exact. However soon afterwards Megatech sold all its shares to the other two, Mycom Sedtco got 22760 shares while V'Power received 34140 shares, this latter was now also owner of Vector Automotive, building the Vector M12 powered by the Lamborghini V-12 ...

The above is an excerpt from my article on the history of Lamborghini that can be found here : http://www.lambocars.com/history.htm

I'm a Lamborghini guy, what can I say ... sadly I have never seen any of the Vectors in real life, they are amazing however.

Mark

[DealsGapCobra]

I just did a quick search and see that the W8 was pretty close to the W2. I still think that the lines of the W2 were the most pleasing. To me the W8 seems a little overdone but I like the slightly rounded nose. I think I could live with a W8 :)

Thanks for the info lesson RadAL!

[Toeslider]

In 1998 the Vector M12 was shown to the public, this car used the engine from a Lamborghini Diablo in fact, note that both Lamborghini and Vector Automotive were owned by an investment group in the Far East.

This group consisted of Megatech, Mycom Sedtco and V'Power and bought Lamborghini in January 1994 to be exact. However soon afterwards Megatech sold all its shares to the other two, Mycom Sedtco got 22760 shares while V'Power received 34140 shares, this latter was now also owner of Vector Automotive, building the Vector M12 powered by the Lamborghini V-12 ...

The above is an excerpt from my article on the history of Lamborghini that can be found here : http://www.lambocars.com/history.htm

I'm a Lamborghini guy, what can I say ... sadly I have never seen any of the Vectors in real life, they are amazing however.

Mark

Ah, it all comes together, I'm not crazy after all...

I didn't realize Megatech had an interest in both Lamborghini and Vector. It probably was around 1998 when I saw them displayed alongside each other at the Detroit Auto Show.

[mogearnotalent]

he said "first american supercar" Well, american it has to be all american" and yes, Jerry Weigart made sure this was all american, Trust me. I know the history of the Vector well. (i'm a nerd i guess). All the parts were mostly from the aircraft industry, even the instrument screen was from a F117 (no joke). I don't hate non american supercars. no way, but this was literally the first American one. I'm just trying to help out the uninformed :)

ummm.. no. F117 wasnt even "out" of the black when the vector showed up, instrument panels were either based on or from F-14 was the story told

[DennisW1]

Ah very cool! I was thinkin of the MkI. Don't think it did over 130, right?

I'm lacking positive proof, but I think they came damn clost to the double century mark, high 190's for sure. I think they were good for 130+ before they even got out of third gear.

[Photo-by-Leal]

Sweet car.......... :D

angel m. leal jr.