Vector W8: What Made it Such a Great Car?

DtRockstar1 tells the story about what happened with Vector Aeromotive and their most famous creation, the Vector W8 Twin Turbo. You'll hear about what happened with the company, as well as Megatech taking over and building the Vector M12. This video features a segment I call, "I've never heard of it, so it has to suck."

[phantom]

I still think this is one of the most exotic and futuristic looking cars ever.
It is also very rare and very unique. I'm a fan.

[trl]

If I remember as a stockholder, they produced 22 W8's. I sat later in new Vector in NYC at the Edison Hotel under the Indonesian Company's model. I was difficult to enter and exit. You had to step over the shifter that was on the left by the door, and at the same time slide under the steering wheel. Rockford Fossgate sound system. I felt that if you ever got into an accident with this car, it would be your coffin, or they'd have to cut you out of it. They displayed an open top model there too. The President of the Company that was now based out of Florida was a British fella named Pete Rose. I was invited to test drive the car if I ever was in Florida,   but never got down there. I remember meeting Gerald Weigert at the NYC Auto Show (don't remember the year 85, 86?) and having a look at the W8. I was glad to see an American company show the world what we could do with technology, design, and quality. Something we were starting to lose back then. We needed to show the world that not only the Italians or the Germans could make stylish fast cars, we could too with effort. Once Mr. Weigert was removed from his company....it was the end of his dream that started in 1972. He's tried to resurrect the car and the company's name as well as making some fast Jet Ski's since then, but hasn't attracted any investors. He,  in the History books, will be another Tucker.

[billarroo]

I worked for Vector in 89, for almost the whole year in Wilmington, Ca. my roll, I was a bodyman, I worked on most of the time the rear body and taillights section of the W8. there were only 2 complete and 1 being built, with more on the board. u could see now and then. a red, white, or black Vector driving around Wilmington or San Pedro being tested. "what a car". William. Ambrogio.

[DtRockstar]

I'm happy to hear that! Thank you very much for checking it out!

[DtRockstar]

Yep! The WX-3 prototype was featured in beyond 2000. I recently saw that car, so I will soon be uploading footage of that. :)

[DtRockstar]

Yep! The owner of the white car in this video is the guy who was driving the car in the movie. I bought that movie mainly because it had the car scene. :D

[pablosgarage]

such a shame this car is almost forgotten. it's really an amazing car.

[thereisnospoon]

One problem was the 3 speed. Yes it had power, but you had to go 80 to hear its full run through the Rev's. Using an RV transmission (for numbers) might not have been the best thing to appeal to people who enjoy engine note in that price range (Jag, Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati....all great engine sounds). Shifting is part of the experience I think he missed in developing, but he had a goal to make it like a fighter and he sure did, down to that LCD screen right out of a jet and push button fuses. As a kid, at one time, this was my favorite car in the world. I just couldn't understand as a kid why it never caught on. Glad we still have these examples to look back at!

[DtRockstar]

It was a great guess man! California is the best place to be to see them. That's where I saw the black M12 that makes a short appearance in this video.

- DT

[erinberger]

dt rockstar: your look and style are exactly what this car needed

[PeteHudo]

I grew up in Wilmington, Ca. I lived about 4 blocks from Vector Aeromotive on D street. I was about 14 and we used to see these cars driving around the neighborhood all the time.  So when I would walk home from school I would pass by there to get a closer look, the people there were always nice. I have a dissposible camera full of pics somewhere.

[dean]

the original owner bought the name back and they have plans to build a newer versions with a 10 liter twin supercharged V8 that pushes 2, 000 hp, can do 0-60 in 2.2 seconds with a top speed of 275 mph, theyre calling it a "hypercar" (a step above supercar" and they website also states, if geared for the bonneville salt flats, it can go 300+ mph. I hope they do it just so the USA can beat the bugatti veyron for the most powerful, fastest, etc :D

[petiteCaprice]

Your videos are amazing! I really enjoy watching them! Especially cars we've less or never heard about!
Good day!

[Amar]

The Vector story sounds like it would make a good Hollywood movie. 

[ClassPunkOnRumbleAndSubstack]

The Vector W8 looks so much better on the outside than the Countach, way more intimidating while retaining a masculine 80's/90's look, even if it ripped off of the Countach design. The lights could look a little cooler than what they do, but they still look less feminine, goofy, and ovular than the lights on a lot of sports cars. As far as its overall body goes, this car has something you still can't find anywhere else, its the most badass 80's looking body in existence. It remains my favorite car for that reason.

[MangoNizer]

Thanks for useful information. I fell in love with this wonder first time I saw it in '91.

[DtRockstar]

It's comments like this that make it most rewarding! It makes me happy to see other people who give cars (and other obscure things) a chance before making judgements. This is what makes me want to make more videos, thank you!

- DT

[natemorte]

I think I remember reading that this car used a Cadillac or Oldsmobile (BOP) front-wheel drive trans-axle. That uses the same internal parts as a Turbo 400, but for front wheel drive. and added a B&M shift kit. I've heard people use this set up to drop V8's in Fiero's

[MrErickNilson]

Brazil had the opportunity to meet these wonderful cars of the Vector in the game Gran Turismo 2. I was sad because the Vector did not appear in the game Gran Turismo 3, 4, 5 and 6. They could appear in Gran Turismo 7.

[rzjk]

When this car came out in the late 80's I read in car and driver that it had electric turbos... That's what I'm interested in...