The American Supercar That Time Forgot

In the late 1980s, a small California company decided America could build its own Ferrari killer. While Detroit churned out muscle cars and grand tourers, Vector Aeromotive in Wilmington set out to create something entirely new: a mid-engine, aerospace-grade machine designed to outperform anything from Maranello.

The result was the Vector W8, a twin-turbo V8 monster that packed 625 horsepower and a claimed top speed of 242 mph. But despite its jaw-dropping specs, almost nobody outside hardcore car circles remembers it today.

The W8 was built like a fighter jet, using carbon fiber, Kevlar, and an aluminum monocoque chassis borrowed from aviation. Inside, a digital cockpit with toggle switches replaced the usual analog dials. 8 seconds. But instead of a manual gearbox, Vector used a modified three-speed automatic from an Oldsmobile Toronado—a curious choice that worked surprisingly well.

Only 17 customer cars were ever built, and reliability issues plagued early examples.

Today, the W8 is a collector's holy grail. A 1991 model sold for $720,000 at auction in 2020, setting a marque record. But finding one is nearly impossible: most owners hold onto their cars for decades. The company folded in 1993 after financial struggles and a soured relationship with the press.

S. could compete with Europe, even if only for a brief, brilliant moment.