In the world of supercars, it takes something pretty incredible to make a Ferrari F50 look common. RM Sotheby’s will be presenting what it calls the ‘Turbollection’ during the Monterey auction on 15-17 August, in which are several rarely-seen and incredibly extreme 1990s supercars – including not one, two, or even three, but four Vectors, a Cizeta V16T and an Isdera Imperator 108i. Here are the highlights.
1993 Vector Avtech WX-3R Roadster Prototype
The only example produced, and the only open-topped Vector ever made; a singular, hand-built testament to America’s first supercar company
Vector founder Jerry Wiegert’s ultra-ambitious plan to build a ‘fighter jet on four wheels’ took many forms since his first vehicle was launched in the late 1970s. This is the only roadster that America’s first supercar manufacturer produced. Displayed by Vector at the Geneva motor show in 1993, and powered by a twin-turbocharged, 6.0-litre 625bhp V8 engine, this car was seen in the company’s advertising and was retained by company founder Jerry Wiegert until 2019. Sold By RM to the consignor in 2019, it has since received a comprehensive $116,000 recommissioning completed by Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, CT. Estimate: $1,300,000-$1,500,000
1993 Vector Avtech WX-3 Prototype
The most radical and technologically advanced tour de force released by America’s first supercar manufacturer; the only WX-3 coupe prototype produced
Just like the Roadster, this is the only one of its kind and was originally shown at the 1992 and 1993 Geneva motor show. Unlike the roadster however, this version is powered by a 1000bhp twin-turbo 7.0-litre V8 engine. A $765,000 price tag was announced at Geneva in 1993, but despite causing quite a stir neither WX-3 model progressed beyond the prototype stage. As above, this car was retained by company founder Jerry Wiegert until 2019, and currently shows fewer than 2625 miles, and has been treated to over $300,000 in restoration work since 2019. Estimate: $1,300,000-$1,500,000.
1991 Vector W8 Twin Turbo
One of 17 Vector W8s constructed, and the only one finished in purple over black all-leather trim
This is the ninth of 17 Vector W8s built, making it by far the most common of this bunch. With a new price of $178,000, this was the original American supercar, designed and built to take on Lamborghini and Ferrari. Aerospace-grade components were used to construct the body, which incorporated carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass. This car was recently treated to a thorough service by Vector’s former Chief of Engineering, David Kostka, and it is currently showing just 2643 miles. Estimate: $800,000-$1,000,000.
1996 Vector M12
Just 17 M12s were ultimately built, only 14 of which were considered full production models. The car offered here is the fifth built and is the only one painted in this distinct purple hue.
The M12 is where the Vector story took a slightly unpleasant turn. After a hostile takeover by MegaTech, company CEO Jerry Wiegert was pushed out of his own company – retaining the two WX-3 prototypes and all rights to build them. After various lawsuits, Vector had to start from scratch. Thankfully, MegaTech had just bought Lamborghini from Chrysler, giving Vector access to a new platform. The M12 was based on the Diablo, albeit stretched and fitted with a Peter Stevens-refined, fibreglass version of the WX-3’s body. The engine is a 5.7-litre V12, with just under 500bhp. Estimate: $400,000-$600,000.
1993 Cizeta V16T
Zampolli’s partnership with Moroder dissolved after the first prototype, and the cars, initially marketed as the Cizeta-Moroder V16T, went into production wearing only the Cizeta name.
The Cizeta V16T was the brainchild of former Lamborghini test driver and development engineer Claudio Zampolli, who teamed up with music producer Giorgio Moroder to produce his very own supercar. With styling by Marcello Gandini, it certainly had a familiar look, and the transverse-mounted 6.0-litre V16 engine was effectively two Lamborghini V8 engines, although the engine block was unique and a one-piece V16 casting. This is one of three cars bought new by the Sultan of Brunei, but for unknown reasons it remained with Hong Seh Motors in Singapore for over 25 years without ever being delivered. Estimate: $700,000-$900,000.
1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2
In 1982, Schulz parted ways with B&B to create Isdera, focusing on small-scale production vehicles, design and engineering services. Two years later the company introduced the Imperator 108i, based on the original CW311 project
A total of just 30 Isdera Imperator models would be built over the course of nine years, and this is one of the later Series 2 examples. Based on a tubular spaceframe chassis, covered by a gullwing-doored fibreglass body, it’s powered by a Mercedes-Benz sourced M119 V8 engine. Delivered to Japan when it was new, it was imported to the UK in 2016 then quickly made its way to Germany where it received some restoration work. It’s now showing just 1912km. Estimate: $800,000-$1,000,000.
