Anyone have any experiences with the Vector W8?

[dm25th]

Hi there

Back when I was a young child and my room was virtually covered in Lamborghini Countach posters, there was also one other poster lurking there. The Vector W8. Truly a car that you either love or loathe, this car looked wonderful from certain angles and like a cheap replica from others. For some reason, this car absolutely fascinates me. Maybe its because of its design, its rarity, or even that it was so much more powerful than anything else around at the time. Looking at the stats (if they are to be believed) its still ahead, power wise (218mph top speed), of most supercars today!!

I have only ever seen one which was back in 1996. It was a stunning black one at a showroom in West Palm Beach, Florida called Auto-Panache. It made my jaw drop. For people who like Heath Robinson style retro electronics etc - just take a look at the dashboard! The designer was seriously involved in aviation and described his Vector car company as 'Aeromotive'. At this same showroom, they had a later Vector which I believe to be called an M12. It was powered by a Lamborghini Diablo engine.

I wanted to know whether anyone has ever driven one on of these W8's, seen one or had any experiences in one?

Many thanks

Daniel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyC3XEXuJRM

Edited by Polizia Lambo on Monday 25th June 17:34

[MantaMike]

Well you ought to have got down to Goodwood FOS this weekend, there was a W8 on display in th Cartier Style et Luxe.

very interesting, but not what i would call a good looking car!

[dm25th]

What a shame, I wish I had known!! What colour was it?

[Twin Turbo]

I think FoS car was black. 1st time I've ever seen one in the metal. Close up I was a little dissapointed.....it definately had a "kit-car" look to it.

Still a stunning looking thing though.

[dm25th]

I dont suppose anyone has any photos of this FoS car do they?

[Doshy]

This adorned my wall as a lad also. Tad miffed as I was at the FoS on Friday but had no idea it was there.

[Twin Turbo]

It was in the Style et Lux area.

[traxx]

MantaMike said:

Well you ought to have got down to Goodwood FOS this weekend, there was a W8 on display in th Cartier Style et Luxe.

very interesting, but not what i would call a good looking car!

If you want more info on the car, the owner posts on fchat - think the user name is vectorfiles

check out this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=...

[dm25th]

I have just seen those photos on the forum you linked to and I have to say that the Vector looks absolutely awesome!! Maybe its a childhood thing, but its so overdesigned and retro cool that it is just appealing to me so much (must still be the child within). Its got some serious road presence and the fact that no-one knows what car it is (or even what it is!) makes it even more tempting! Black is most certainly the colour for it.

Thank you so much for the link

Daniel

[TCF]

It's actually the car two up from the bottom on your list of pics - Jersey based car.

[snapper seven]

Yep, I took a couple of snaps of the Vector at FoS today. Will try and put them up on the net tomorrow.
(Have to say I thought it looked a tad kit car sadly too)

[DJC]

Another childhood Vector fan here. I think they are awesome Lets be honest, it pisses on anything Lambo ever did for impact and makes a Diablo look like the piss poor gay ginger stepchild.

Vector's rock.

When I was younger and had thoughts of being a writer, I even knocked up a cpl of storylines where the hero drove a Vector

[Polizia Lambo]

Whilst still being a Vector fan, i cant agree enitrely with your sentiments. The Vector has clearly stolen many design ideas from the Lamborghini Countach (originally designed about 18 years previously), and the later ones are worryingly similar to the Diablo. So much so that these later Vectors actually house Diablo engines! Personally, I dont believe there is any car on the planet that can make the Lambo's look as you described.

I am pleased to meet another fan though, and definitely understand your passion for this rather amazing machine. Did you or anyone else check out that YouTube clip I posted above? The engine, besides sounding oddly rattly in places, sounds like a fighter jet!

Edited by Polizia Lambo on Monday 25th June 11:55

[DJC]

Hmm.

The Countach looked shite when it was launched and only ever looked shitter as they added more shite to it.

The Diablo looked like it was styled by the Wacky Races artist and then said gay ginger step childed pissed all over it for fun.

The Vector just looked cool and mean and they sound nothing like fighter jets They sound like motor cars.

[Polizia Lambo]

snapper seven said:

Yep, I took a couple of snaps of the Vector at FoS today. Will try and put them up on the net tomorrow.
(Have to say I thought it looked a tad kit car sadly too)

Can you post the Vector photos on this thread at some point, would love to see them?

Many thanks

[anonymous-user]

when i was about 9 my prized posession was an american car mag with the prototype w8 (w2?) on the front cover. i thought it was the coolest thing on earth.

[Polizia Lambo]

The Vector W2 was the prototype of what became the W8. Apparently only one W2 was made and to this day is still owned by Jerry Wiegert (designer and founder of Vector). Here are a few photos of the W2

[snapper seven]

Here you go fellas. The Jersey based vector at the FoS. Have to say it is a nicely turned out example.

Edited by snapper seven on Monday 25th June 21:29

[Polizia Lambo]

snapper seven, they are just superb photos!! Thank you so much for sharing them. It really does look like an immaculate example.

Does anyone know what one of these might cost? Apparently there were only 17 ever made.

[snapper seven]

Your welcome!

Soz that they have come out a bit big. Ok if you view on a 19" monitor. Can post some smaller ones if it's a pain.

(Have to say they had some interesting machines there including the incredibly rare Schuppan 962cr. Not quite as nice as the Dauer version IMO but good to see all the same).