1992 Vector W8 Coupe

Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche (to name a few) have certainly set the bar high over the years with their exotic supercars. They have a legacy and a reputation. During the 1990s, several audacious supercar manufacturers attempt to compete with these elite marques. One of the more successful attempts came from Wilmington, California's Vector, which was established by Gerald Wiegert, an automotive industry veteran with experience at all of the Big Threes in Detroit.

Wiegart's first prototype was called the W2, which was eventually refined into a full-production model called the W8 Twin Turbo. The supercar was constructed using the most advanced technologies and cutting-edge materials. Aerospace-grade components were used to build the 6.0-liter V-8, and the body incorporated carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass for structural rigidity. The mid-mounted V8 engine had a Donovan aluminum block-and-head with twin Garrett turbochargers and fuel injection. The 625 horsepower was sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic gearbox with four-wheel hydraulically ventilated disc brakes bringing the car to a stop. The W8 could race to sixty mph in just 4.2 seconds with the quarter-mile achieved in 12 seconds at 124 mph.

The supercar market is difficult and very competitive. Unfortunately, Vector did not survive for very long after building only two W8 prototypes and an additional 17 customer cars. Though it was not a financial success, Wiegert did achieve his goal of shocking the automobile industry with an American-built exotic car that combined style and performance.

This particular Vector W8 was the third production model built and was the car photographed in the March 1991 issue of Road & Track. The car was constructed in 1991 and delivered new to an executive at Toys 'R' Us, who returned it to the factory after just a few months. The company converted the car to 1992 specifications and featured a new front splitter and different vents. It was also re-tagged by the factory as a 1992 model built in April of that year.

This car, chassis number 003, is one of only three W8s painted red, including the factory prototype. This car also had a starring role in the 1993 blockbuster Rising Sun, in which Wesley Snipes chases it at high speeds down Los Angeles freeways.

Mr. Bob Pond purchased this car in 1994 and remained in his collection for 2 decades. It has seen minimal mileage since his acquisition.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014