June 29, 2009Blast From the Past: My First Exotic Car Rendez-Vous

Ah, the 1990 Vector W8.  Behold it.  Now imagine beholding it as a young 7-year-old aspiring auto-enthusiast, as I did. The gullwing doors, the 220mph top speed, the near half-million-dollar price tag, the futuristic exterior, the Kitt-like interior…these were features that inspired awe.

Only in retrospect can I appreciate what an absurd vehicle the Vector W8 was.  Not only is its architectural styling so firmly rooted in an 80s view of the future, but the Vector W8 is made of kevlar, titanium and about 5,000 aircraft specification rivets and is one of the most ridiculous displays of misguided 80s excess (really, look at the interior - outrageous).  Just 17 of the supercar were made.

Vector was a short-lived enterprise, initiated by founder, Gerald Wiegert, in 1978.  While Vector Aeromotive won accolades in its time - Road & Track Magazine, evidently, declared the Vector the fastest production car in the world - the firm was mired in the fallout from various scandals and Mr. Wiegert was a difficult personality.  The company went under in the mid-90s, but a recent resurgence has been rumored.  Only time will tell.  But for me, the memory of my little seven year old self climbing into the front seat of a Vector W8 in Palm Beach, Florida is one that I will cherish indefinitely.

(top photo via ConceptCarz, bottom photo via MotorTrend)