Vector W8 Twin Turbo and other toys.

[Vectorw8015]

Baddie said:

The quality and depth of thought that’s gone into the Vector is really impressive. I’d also like to know more about the rear suspension and why double wishbones weren’t used like on everything else.

For serviceability. Jerry wanted you to be able to drop out the entire Engine and Driveline in about 8 bolts. It's very easy to take the Engine, Transmission and rear Differential out .The Dedion allows it to happen very quickly.

[Vectorw8015]

A photo my friend Isaac took back in 2007. Camilo Pardo getting out of my car after trying it on for size.

[OzzyR1]

Vectorw8015 said:

For serviceability. Jerry wanted you to be able to drop out the entire Engine and Driveline in about 8 bolts. It's very easy to take the Engine, Transmission and rear Differential out .The Dedion allows it to happen very quickly.

Great thread about one of the "unheard" supercars of the 80's. Like many in the UK, my only knowledge of the Vector came from Top Trump cards at school where it had amazing stats.

Couple of questions for the OP if you don't mind?

Does your username mean you own model 015?

Has a Vector W8 been for sale recently as far as you know? If so, what was the asking/selling price?

Thanks

[Vectorw8015]

dscam said:

This is one of the best threads on PH, absolutely fascinating car and history and I’m sure many of us car geeks are learning something new and putting straight some misconceptions.

Thanks for sharing your car and your story with us VectorW8015.

A question I have is with regard to spares/service. I know these cars aren’t really out on the road much but if you did bend or break something is there still a resource for parts. I guess you are pretty comfortable with some spannering but is there a go-to place for all things Vector?

Yes you can still get most of the parts to maintain the car. But some parts have become impossible. Windshields being a big one. Tires being another. But David Kostka runs a shop that is dedicated to the breed. He was the VP of Engineering for Vector. He maintains several of the cars on the West coast. I help with maintaining them on the East coast. David handles any cars that are off shore.

[Vectorw8015]

OzzyR1 said:

Great thread about one of the "unheard" supercars of the 80's. Like many in the UK, my only knowledge of the Vector came from Top Trump cards at school where it had amazing stats.

Couple of questions for the OP if you don't mind?

Does your username mean you own model 015?

Has a Vector W8 been for sale recently as far as you know? If so, what was the asking/selling price?

Thanks

Yes my car is 015 out of the 17 production cars. As for cars for sale. Just like any other brand the prices vary depending on condition. A car with needs will sell $350 - 400K and will need a restoration. Cars like mine sell for around 1.0 to 1.4 depending on mileage. 016 went up for sale at auction a few years ago and was a no sale at $968,000. The owner wanted 1.2 for her. With buyer premium it would have been around that. But he did not sell. 003 went for much less but needed work. 007 sold for a lot less also and should have sold for much more someone in the UAE got a great deal on that car.

[W8]

Foose’s Pantera (Carabo re-creation) was sold at auction last year. I’m a wedge look freak and bid on it unsuccessfully, I think it went to a buyer overseas. The story was a guy wanted to buy the Carabo, but it wasn’t for sale, so he commission Foose to build one for him, minus the top.

[djt100]

Like other posters, I have Nothing to add, except

I don't care if it can do 99mph or 242mph, it's just a dam cool car, I remember these from magazines from being a kid. One until your thread I had forgotten about, but also at the time going back, I didn't realize they actually made any. So seeing one actually owned by one is amazing.

Like another poster has asked, If you would allow us Brits a moment to dribble on our keyboards, an Onboard video or walk around with a little throttle blip here and there would go down a storm I'm sure.

Thanks for posting

[z06tim]

W8 said:

Foose’s Pantera (Carabo re-creation) was sold at auction last year. I’m a wedge look freak and bid on it unsuccessfully, I think it went to a buyer overseas. The story was a guy wanted to buy the Carabo, but it wasn’t for sale, so he commission Foose to build one for him, minus the top.

That is absolutely gorgeous.

[ndtman]

Quite a few similarities between the Vector and the Aston Martin Bulldog, blown V8, De-Dion rear end and very expensive. Both cars had a lot of potential but at least the Vector made it to limited production.

[Vectorw8015]

djt100 said:

Like other posters, I have Nothing to add, except

I don't care if it can do 99mph or 242mph, it's just a dam cool car, I remember these from magazines from being a kid. One until your thread I had forgotten about, but also at the time going back, I didn't realize they actually made any. So seeing one actually owned by one is amazing.

Like another poster has asked, If you would allow us Brits a moment to dribble on our keyboards, an Onboard video or walk around with a little throttle blip here and there would go down a storm I'm sure.

Thanks for posting

I will see what I can do about a video. There are several videos on my car currently on Youtube. If you look up Vector W8 they will pop up. I did shoot a quick video of an exterior walk around for a friend of mine. The audio on it is just me commenting to him.

Thank you for reading my posts. I appreciate everyone on here. We are all car guys.

Edited by Vectorw8015 on Tuesday 26th February 17:13

[Vectorw8015]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0XgJYS0KsU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxwfLkqx2dg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3iXs2zD7J0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQLIi09PIhw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6jI6fTTjkA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyC3XEXuJRM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MoEVX4-fKs

Here are a few videos of my car 015 and one of 016 when she was on Top Gear America.

[Vectorw8015]

Du1point8 said:

Sweet... I love the Vector..

What stories can you tell us of the other models out there inc your W8?

Also do you have any nice pictures of the other models?

I have several photos of our days in production. I also have quite a few photos W2, AWX3 and AWX3R.
I will upload a few of them once I am back home.

[Vectorw8015]

pSyCoSiS said:

What an absolute honour and privilege it must be to have worked on and own one of the most iconic cars in automotive history.

A stunning looking, futuristic machine with some unbelievable stats to go with it.

Hats off to you OP!

Thank you.

[mr shoddy]

I just wanted to add my thanks to the OP. This is a great car and as others have already said I only ever experienced it through magazines and books from my childhood.

[Gary C]

Tell us how it drives

[W8]

ndtman said:

Quite a few similarities between the Vector and the Aston Martin Bulldog, blown V8, De-Dion rear end and very expensive. Both cars had a lot of potential but at least the Vector made it to limited production.

Another ultra wedge car, the little known “Dome Zero”, I think 3 were made...

[W8]

BrabusMog said:

Was the Pantera that Foose made a nod to this? Strikingly similar to my untrained eye.

Love this thread

See my recent post and pic on the Foose Pantera..

[W8]

Gary C said:

Tell us how it drives

They drive fantastic! The front is very light , with ultra responsive steering, and the ride is actually very compliant, not hard. A great exhaust note, and great sound when backing off the throttle and the wastegates kick in. Turbo lag is very low. Here’s a pic of another W8 in graphite gray at a recent Concours event.

[shirt]

Vectorw8015 said:

Mikebentley said:

Daft question but were there any well known owners?

The most well known owner would be John Paul Dejoria. He is the original owner of car 013.
Ron Tonkin of Ron Tonkin Grand Turismo would be another . His estate now cares for 009.

2 cars went to Saudi Arabia to royals. One is now back here with her 2nd owner. The other is still in Saudi Arabia. Car 007 is also now in Saudi Arabia.

There’s one in Abu Dhabi which a few friends have seen up close. Wears Jersey (UK) plates on the front and Abu Dhabi ones on the back

[Vectorw8015]

Gary C said:

Tell us how it drives

Hi Gary,

The car drives very well. I have set the suspension up a little firmer than what was the factory set up. The suspension is fully adjustable. But it is very compliant over bumps. In its current configuration it pulls 1.25g on the skid pad, so it corners very well. The car is fairly light for its size, Just over 3200 lbs. The car is extremely wide and you are always conscientious of this when you drive her. And due to her tall gearing she is not as quick out of the hole as some of her contemporaries. With a 3 speed gear box first gear is good for over 80 mph so she is very long in the tooth, but with 650 ftlbs of torque she still gets up and goes. 2nd gear is good for 160+ mph. Her top end is rather boundless and she gets there rather quickly. Adding octane and boost helps a little but she can do it all at only 8lbs of boost. So the extra is just overkill for most.

I have driven McLaren F1's, which are a fun but dicey car to drive the rear end always wants to lead the way. She is more like a EB110 SS in the way she drives and handles. The Jag XJ220 feels a little more cumbersome just due to her length and the front end tends to load up in the corners.

But she is comparable to all of the above. She was the first supercar on the planet and was dubbed so back 20+ years ago as a way to separate her from the cars of the day. She is still very relevant today from a performance and handling perspective.

I still enjoy her after all this time. I still think she is one of the prettiest cars ever designed. Her body lines have held up well when you consider that they are over 35 years old.