when i was a kid in the early 90's. i got a book from my school library that had a bunch of cool machines. like SR-71 Blackbird, Space Shuttle, etc. In that book was this car. I fell in love. One day a few years later. on a special occasion i ended up downtown on a friday night with my family. and what gets stuck at the red light right beside me? This car. In silver. i was in awe. i remember that few seconds perfectly to this day. I've had a dream of seeing it again up close one day. i know i'd never get to own or drive one. but to see it again would be amazing.
I had a big poster of this car right in the wall on my bed.... i remeber as a kid watching it everyday like woooooow that car is amazing... great memories...
@@blazeinboarder9857 You have only proven that you know nothing about this car. Individuals that still own it say it is the most reliable car they have ever owned. It was made out of kevlar and aramid fibres, which was unheard of back in the early 90s. Aircraft componentry. Who gives a rats arse about your specs? Gutless according to what? To me its looks first specs second. I dont care about any specs if the car is ugly. This car was state of the art and a front runner at the time. I'd have this car over a majority of the current supposed supercars including any Pagani, Koenigsegg, Gordon Murray, McLaren, Lykan, Aston Martin, Mercedes, Hennessey, Lotus, Rimac, Pininfarina and a majority of Ferraris Lamborghinis and Bugattis.
This car was in the film Rising Sun with Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes, it was driven by the Villain Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. But in was in the color red.
Young punks. You don't have shit like this anymore. You gotta think, 1980-1990, teenager. About the most insane thing around was a f40/959/countach. Nice but not insane. Then this thing was released. My balls nearly exploded inside my nutsack! The future was going to happen! All the Sci Fi movies were true, shit was going to be just how we hoped it would. This thing was a wet dream on steroids! Countach, good bye, hello w8 and 2000 and beyond. It never made it and neither did our futures. Sad. Concord is dead. So is the space shuttle. 747 is still flying. Corolla is still a shit box. Life never took off. This car was a dream a hope. It is truly iconic and special. If you weren't there, you wouldn't know.
Mansa Musa maybe you and me bro, most here don't seem to think so. They weren't around then, they don't get it. This thing replaced, well, supplemented my countach poster.
V8Ziggy that was the first time I saw that car on that show beyond 2000, that car is not better than the contach my be it have more power and speed and it will never out last or out shin it.
conrad testamark don't know about that. Definately rarer. I'll take both, but this thing was just something altogether. It was the awesomeness and engineering and technology that was off the hook. Why the dude went tits up in the first place. He had a crack but the financial viability killed it. Good, just look at the replacement, that was a cost effective car but it wasn't a w8. Not by a long shot. This is true motoring history. A snapshot of what could have been.
Well, I'm born in 1996, raised in front of the Gran Turismo's, I know this car a bit, but it's way wayyyy uglier than an M12. Maybe you're from an era where a "box" was like the future. To me, cars like the Supra mk4 or the XJ220 are almost not aging, nostalgia isn't an argument but I am 100% sure, aero looks good.
I once saw an advertisement for Vector in the Robb Report. It was love at first sight. I read as much as I could get my hands on as a teen. I've never seen one in real life only pictures. Thanks.
The Vector W8 is an American supercar produced from 1990 to 1993.[3] It was manufactured by Vector Aeromotive Corporation, and was designed by Gerald Wiegert[3][4] and David Kostka. The company utilized the newest and most advanced aerospace materials in building the W8s, which they said justified applying to the car the term "Aeromotive Engineering." Just 19 W8s were produced (17 customer cars and two pre-production cars, the prototype W2, and the two prototypes Avtech AWX3 and AWX3R, each with a mock up of a 7.0 liter DOHC TT engine). A total of 22 automobiles were produced by Vector Aeromotive over the life of the company. The car originally sold for $448,000 new, however on today's used market, they are available from $389,000 to well over $1.4 million depending on the condition of the car.
Awesome. Such bold design it doesnt care what some ignorant people think, doesnt care about on fancy schanchy curves. it kicks physics into submission. 3speed? Still 4s to 60. Variable boost. A tank of a supercar.
Very nicely shot video, thanks for sharing! I've loved the Vector since I first saw it on the cover of Car and Driver, December 1980. What a shame most people commenting on it, are clueless about what a fantastic car it actually was.
You'd think someone that owns a $650,000+ car would have the leather boot resewn on shifter. & door piston replaced.. This design was a work of art. Never lived down.
I remember seeing these at the New York Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in the early 90s, along with the Ferrari F40. Pictures and video are nice but to see one in person is incredible.
I saw my first Vector in the very early 80's at the San Diego Car show. Not even sure what the designation was, had the same lines as this one. Fell in love with on the spot. Based on the specs at the time it was easily one of the fastest cars made. For the life of me though, I can't even remember what they wanted for it, I do remember part of the conversation with the salesperson and another lookie-loo like myself. The other guy asked if black was the only color it came in, my remark was for (however much it was) you can probably get it in pink and purple polka-dots! Salesman just nodded.
I used to see a blue one back when they were new, and Vector HQ was down the road from me (FL) I never saw it drive Only either parked in the driveway or on a back of a flatbed tow truck
Sorry chevy guys, this is definitely not a transplant out of the Corvette, it's a 6.0 Rodeck aluminum block with AFR heads and Carrillo connecting rods, and Bosch sequential fuel injection, and distributorless ignition, I do think it was based on the sbc though, the intake is very similar to the GM tpi setup.
This is the W8. The earlier (more badass) version was the W-2, which to me, in 1979, looked like something the Apollo Missions dragged back from the Moon. Computers just popped on the scene, video games everywhere, people talking about robots, and the promise of a magnificent high-tech future, the great Utopia that was right around the corner ..... and never materialized.
wiegert vector. 80s yes, moving tape gauges like a fighter plane. all are automatic buick transmissioned as they are the strongest. i wanted one back in those days. wickedly fast! if you can get one, hold on to it! can not remember what the engine was, sbc?. wiegert is the guy who had them built. read about it in road & track magazine when it first hit the road.
@@jarrodmcmillian1747 i think it was based on the c3 '82 stingray's engine in the prototypes. Maybe this still was based on that. But it can't be your bog standart LS wit two turbos slapped on for good measure. It must've been modified.
I bought a Hot Wheel based on this off eBay today. It was only produced for a year, so it's prices are considerably high. I was lucky to snipe it for around a measly $35 + shipping.
I'm 45. I still have a book I got when I was 12 that went over the W2. Imagine only making 600hp with an aluminum 350 with twin turbos! The ignition system on that car is using 25.00 factory G.M. ignition coils 😆 If you tried making ONLY 600hp with twin turbos now you'd have to go out of your way to screw up. Back then it was simply mind boggling to have 600hp! As I type this I have a 500hp circle track engine (385) I'm building for a circle track car next to me. That's through only 500cfm of carb and a factory iron block. Too bad they don't have kits to make these. Would be a ton of fun building one with a 7.0 liter with an Eaton supercharger getting 20mpg making 800hp. It would fit right in there with room to spare since those tuned port intakes are so tall.
The computers weren't up to the task with these. Probably still has a factory GM ECM with a manually programmed prom flashed. The injection was batch fired, I don't think sequential injection was even a thing yet. Definitely didn't have M.A.F. or anything like we have today to make that thing run like we have today. People are wearing watches with 15 times more computational power than those cars had. Probably run so fat and happy it's unreal just to keep it alive and running cool enough.
+Danny PhantomVision CLK GTR? If that's what you're thinking of the CLK GTR is, in my opinion, billions times better looking and is obviously a much better car.
Cypher Punk-I agree. I like the design, more than the other vehicles of the time as well. As to why it failed. That is a long story. It would take a page, to tell you the whole thing. Best bet: Google Gerald (or Jerry) Wiegert or Vector W8 (The production car), or Vector W2 (The prototype). If you still have any questions. You can PM here on UA-cam on this account. Or you can come back to this message.
I think this is the coolest looking supercar ever, up there with the countach and the f40. I just love 90s supercars.
Rest in peace Jerry Wiegert. What a fantastic machine he created.
when i was a kid in the early 90's. i got a book from my school library that had a bunch of cool machines. like SR-71 Blackbird, Space Shuttle, etc. In that book was this car. I fell in love. One day a few years later. on a special occasion i ended up downtown on a friday night with my family. and what gets stuck at the red light right beside me? This car. In silver. i was in awe. i remember that few seconds perfectly to this day. I've had a dream of seeing it again up close one day. i know i'd never get to own or drive one. but to see it again would be amazing.
amazing personal story man ! thanks for sharing it. I can totally relate !
LogicalWaste nice story!
While I was reading I felt like I was there.
This is one of the sexyest cars ever!!
@@CHUUMPASS it IS a great story.
with that attitude you wont be able to become rich
I had a big poster of this car right in the wall on my bed.... i remeber as a kid watching it everyday like woooooow that car is amazing... great memories...
That car is Waaay ahead of its time. did you see that screen???
Mike E powerglide bud
Same parts used on I believe the F14 fighter jets. Pretty awesome.
@mike E really? How many other super cars in the late 80's had screens with real time data on them?
LOL...3 speed RV transmission of the fewchurrrr. Bullshit kit car.
@@rays5163 yeah, so you can see how crap the car is in real time.
This the car that helped me get my Suzuki escudo pikes peak in GT2
Aaaahhhhh memories.
Hahaha I'm playing it now. 😊
Bruh I remember that!
The Escudo was unstoppable.
This car is one of the most beautiful things my eyes ever laid eyes upon
You need to get out more
@@jokeymccrackin7192 Covid19
Magnificent specimen even today. Never gets old. My favourite car from childhood, and of all time today.
Whats so great about it? It's a gutless piece of shit. LOL
@@blazeinboarder9857 jesus christ man, just fuckin let him like it
6.0 twin turbo v8 with 600hp doesn’t sound gutless
@@blazeinboarder9857 You have only proven that you know nothing about this car. Individuals that still own it say it is the most reliable car they have ever owned. It was made out of kevlar and aramid fibres, which was unheard of back in the early 90s. Aircraft componentry. Who gives a rats arse about your specs? Gutless according to what? To me its looks first specs second. I dont care about any specs if the car is ugly. This car was state of the art and a front runner at the time. I'd have this car over a majority of the current supposed supercars including any Pagani, Koenigsegg, Gordon Murray, McLaren, Lykan, Aston Martin, Mercedes, Hennessey, Lotus, Rimac, Pininfarina and a majority of Ferraris Lamborghinis and Bugattis.
Vector Aeromotive; forever in my heart, the transverse engine, the automatic gearbox and rear Dion Axle hurt him a lot
Good old Gran Turismo 2 times :)
Yea vector m12 too
Dang bro!!!!! U just took me back with this comment. Thanks for the nostalgia.
I love that 90s retro-futurism style!
The car was designed in the 70s.
@Mike E My Husband met him in 1978 when he was in California for a short time that when he first seen the car.
gindaolwon 90s?
The Vector!!!! what a classic!
Such a masterpiece. I had a hot wheels model of it.
Did it work like this one
the exotic among exotics. very advanced and way ahead of its time in many ways. an it is American !
This car was in the film Rising Sun with Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes, it was driven by the Villain Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. But in was in the color red.
Young punks. You don't have shit like this anymore. You gotta think, 1980-1990, teenager. About the most insane thing around was a f40/959/countach. Nice but not insane. Then this thing was released. My balls nearly exploded inside my nutsack! The future was going to happen! All the Sci Fi movies were true, shit was going to be just how we hoped it would. This thing was a wet dream on steroids! Countach, good bye, hello w8 and 2000 and beyond. It never made it and neither did our futures. Sad. Concord is dead. So is the space shuttle. 747 is still flying. Corolla is still a shit box. Life never took off. This car was a dream a hope. It is truly iconic and special. If you weren't there, you wouldn't know.
V8Ziggy, lol what? People still go nuts for anything rare, even the classics.
Mansa Musa maybe you and me bro, most here don't seem to think so. They weren't around then, they don't get it. This thing replaced, well, supplemented my countach poster.
V8Ziggy that was the first time I saw that car on that show beyond 2000, that car is not better than the contach my be it have more power and speed and it will never out last or out shin it.
conrad testamark don't know about that. Definately rarer. I'll take both, but this thing was just something altogether. It was the awesomeness and engineering and technology that was off the hook. Why the dude went tits up in the first place. He had a crack but the financial viability killed it. Good, just look at the replacement, that was a cost effective car but it wasn't a w8. Not by a long shot. This is true motoring history. A snapshot of what could have been.
Well, I'm born in 1996, raised in front of the Gran Turismo's, I know this car a bit, but it's way wayyyy uglier than an M12. Maybe you're from an era where a "box" was like the future. To me, cars like the Supra mk4 or the XJ220 are almost not aging, nostalgia isn't an argument but I am 100% sure, aero looks good.
i remember reading about this car back in 91, i was like omfg that is one badass car. takes me back man.
I once saw an advertisement for Vector in the Robb Report. It was love at first sight. I read as much as I could get my hands on as a teen. I've never seen one in real life only pictures. Thanks.
The Vector W8 is an American supercar produced from 1990 to 1993.[3] It was manufactured by Vector Aeromotive Corporation, and was designed by Gerald Wiegert[3][4] and David Kostka. The company utilized the newest and most advanced aerospace materials in building the W8s, which they said justified applying to the car the term "Aeromotive Engineering." Just 19 W8s were produced (17 customer cars and two pre-production cars, the prototype W2, and the two prototypes Avtech AWX3 and AWX3R, each with a mock up of a 7.0 liter DOHC TT engine). A total of 22 automobiles were produced by Vector Aeromotive over the life of the company. The car originally sold for $448,000 new, however on today's used market, they are available from $389,000 to well over $1.4 million depending on the condition of the car.
A black one went up for auction in Germany in 2016. I don't know how much it sold for. It was advertised in the Dupont Registry.
These cars are extremely powerful and well made to last if you take care of them. Repairs bills are easily 10 times cheaper than other super cars.
uh, where on earth did you learn that?
You'd be able to repair the shared internals from GM platforms but that's about it
Who told you that? Doug demuro? Lmao I highly doubt what you said
@@diablocls55 Even Doug said that the car is so oddly made, the owner he worked with had to talk to the OG designer to get parts.
The silver one is the one I want.
Awesome. Such bold design it doesnt care what some ignorant people think, doesnt care about on fancy schanchy curves. it kicks physics into submission. 3speed? Still 4s to 60. Variable boost. A tank of a supercar.
Very nicely shot video, thanks for sharing! I've loved the Vector since I first saw it on the cover of Car and Driver, December 1980. What a shame most people commenting on it, are clueless about what a fantastic car it actually was.
Gasses up, but right into a red light. The universe is a cruel mistress.
The only time I saw the Vector W8 is when I look at the vehicles from Gran Turismo 2.
Sounds more like a truck than a exotic I love it.
I remember when these came out and memorized the specs ,although I have forgotten them now. My favorite supercar of all time besides the Noble
You'd think someone that owns a $650,000+ car would have the leather boot resewn on shifter. & door piston replaced.. This design was a work of art. Never lived down.
It's brilliant! Thanks for filming.
I remember seeing these at the New York Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in the early 90s, along with the Ferrari F40. Pictures and video are nice but to see one in person is incredible.
Still looks futuristic today.
I remember seeing this car as a kid
30 years old, people today is that a 2019.
Show them a 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero and people today will think it's a new car from Testa.
矢張り当時から今までも変わらずに格好良いですね、ライトを開けた状態で拝見出来る日が来ようとは思いませんでした。
so low & wide...love this car equally as the Vector M12
Thanks for sharing this beautiful thing
"Turbo coolers"
Because they're totally different to radiators now :) :l
Can't rag on the guy. English clearly isn't his native language.
It's a heat exchanger, which radiates heat. Basically the same. Any difference between "turbo coolers" and "intercoolers"?
I saw my first Vector in the very early 80's at the San Diego Car show. Not even sure what the designation was, had the same lines as this one. Fell in love with on the spot. Based on the specs at the time it was easily one of the fastest cars made. For the life of me though, I can't even remember what they wanted for it, I do remember part of the conversation with the salesperson and another lookie-loo like myself. The other guy asked if black was the only color it came in, my remark was for (however much it was) you can probably get it in pink and purple polka-dots! Salesman just nodded.
I used to see a blue one back when they were new, and Vector HQ was down the road from me (FL)
I never saw it drive
Only either parked in the driveway or on a back of a flatbed tow truck
This should be the type of car one wins on wheel of fortune. So 80s and beautiful.
This guy lives near me I’ve seen this car a few times :) always a treat
Looks like a mix of a old lambo countach and a buggatti EB110
Sorry chevy guys, this is definitely not a transplant out of the Corvette, it's a 6.0 Rodeck aluminum block with AFR heads and Carrillo connecting rods, and Bosch sequential fuel injection, and distributorless ignition, I do think it was based on the sbc though, the intake is very similar to the GM tpi setup.
Looks awesome in black and silver, yellow and red not so much, kinda like a... Jet Fighter!!!
Absolute all time favorite
Wow! Nice video. I would have been shaking with excitement.
This is the W8. The earlier (more badass) version was the W-2, which to me, in 1979, looked like something the Apollo Missions dragged back from the Moon. Computers just popped on the scene, video games everywhere, people talking about robots, and the promise of a magnificent high-tech future, the great Utopia that was right around the corner ..... and never materialized.
The creator of this car died on January 15 of this years. RIP
I remember making a furniture delivery and Venice and we went down this alley and these two men were working on this car out of a garage......
First saw this car in the movie rising son. Been a huge fan ever since
freaking breathtaking car
The late 80s early 90s changed how cars should look and make you feel even today this thing looks modern as fuck.
Never mind Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the other european sportscars. Only Vector!!!
Future Classic!
I remember this car from Gran Turismo 2, i really like this car.
What a classic American super car.
You don't get awesome style like that any more from any manufacturer.
wiegert vector. 80s yes, moving tape gauges like a fighter plane. all are automatic buick transmissioned as they are the strongest. i wanted one back in those days. wickedly fast! if you can get one, hold on to it! can not remember what the engine was, sbc?. wiegert is the guy who had them built. read about it in road & track magazine when it first hit the road.
Engine is the C4 vette engine
@@jarrodmcmillian1747 i think it was based on the c3 '82 stingray's engine in the prototypes. Maybe this still was based on that. But it can't be your bog standart LS wit two turbos slapped on for good measure. It must've been modified.
this shit looks crazyand more exotic even in 2021 better than any new car from 2021
The first supercar at the world 900hp on the wheels
That awesome era that car designs with bit larger looking wheels to the real..
" This is a radiator "
I bought a Hot Wheel based on this off eBay today.
It was only produced for a year, so it's prices are considerably high.
I was lucky to snipe it for around a measly $35 + shipping.
Looks like what a Delorean should've been!
You mean functioning?
Paint it black, and call it a Batmobile. Awesome.
What a beautiful car
Super car companies should re-release special edition models from the 80s with current tech.
*goes to google Vector W8 details*
2018 and its still faster than most.
I never seen a car look so good in silver geez
Grand tourismo 1 that was where I first saw that car.
I have always wanted to see a vector
How these cars weren't a success I will never know!!!
I'm 45. I still have a book I got when I was 12 that went over the W2. Imagine only making 600hp with an aluminum 350 with twin turbos! The ignition system on that car is using 25.00 factory G.M. ignition coils 😆 If you tried making ONLY 600hp with twin turbos now you'd have to go out of your way to screw up. Back then it was simply mind boggling to have 600hp! As I type this I have a 500hp circle track engine (385) I'm building for a circle track car next to me. That's through only 500cfm of carb and a factory iron block.
Too bad they don't have kits to make these. Would be a ton of fun building one with a 7.0 liter with an Eaton supercharger getting 20mpg making 800hp. It would fit right in there with room to spare since those tuned port intakes are so tall.
The computers weren't up to the task with these. Probably still has a factory GM ECM with a manually programmed prom flashed. The injection was batch fired, I don't think sequential injection was even a thing yet. Definitely didn't have M.A.F. or anything like we have today to make that thing run like we have today. People are wearing watches with 15 times more computational power than those cars had. Probably run so fat and happy it's unreal just to keep it alive and running cool enough.
Joint look so tight awesome car
you say it was made in early 90s but what a 80s stile it has, nice.
Vice City Style
“This is the radiator..!”
“No...” 🤦🏻♂️
yo, i litterally saw this same due driving this car like 2 days ago when i was on rodeo drive
looks like an alien starship on wheels!
it reminds me of that one mercedes cant remember the name...
+Danny PhantomVision CLK GTR? If that's what you're thinking of the CLK GTR is, in my opinion, billions times better looking and is obviously a much better car.
+Danny PhantomVision of course it does. American cars are just a cheap version of an european car.
+Danny PhantomVision Isdera Imperator Mercedes prototype?
A A YES EXACTLY!!!THANK YOU
+Danny PhantomVision Ha, they look almost exactly the same.
Unforgettable car
Awesome! How many horses does this car have?
Moos : and 649 lb-ft at 4900 rpm. It has power at 5700 but revs to 7500.
Very interesting build!
Did the owner actually say, "I use aviation fuel in it"?
Morning Star he’s probably running avgas, such as 100LL.
Nice Video and awesome car
love the louvres galore! Looks like a Cyberpunk's car :D
Vector w8
Ferrari f40
Bugatti eb110
Дизайн опережающий свое время. В детстве казалось что это какие то фантастические звездалеты.
Back To The Future
What if a vector w8 would look like as a Time Machine?
This the whip from the Newport ads.
Such a sexy car
looks wild af!
Twin turbo W 8... 2 4cl basically welded together
I had one in the 80s☝🏻
Car looks str8 up like something cyberpunk would do. And it could've had gone for a plane too if it had wings lol
L98 v8...Was used in the corvette from 1985 to 1991
the engine in the Vector did not have much to do with the Corvette engines though, other than basic block / engine architecture.
Beautiful
Retro still looks good huh
rear car, the car is looking good on the side though, super dream car
Pep Boys must be the wheel supplier.
So this car had all the "excitement" of a damn auto-box......oh brother!!
So nice!!
Why did this fail? I like this more than anything else from the time.
Cypher Punk-I agree. I like the design, more than the other vehicles of the time as well.
As to why it failed. That is a long story. It would take a page, to tell you the whole thing. Best bet: Google Gerald (or Jerry) Wiegert or Vector W8 (The production car), or Vector W2 (The prototype). If you still have any questions. You can PM here on UA-cam on this account. Or you can come back to this message.