@Watchfullspark The camera is hard mounted to the sunroof glass. Put your ear directly against you window and drive. You will get the idea. As for fit and finish, better than any Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar XJ220, Bugatti EB110. As for materials, Kevlar, Carbon-Fiber, Wilton Wool, Connolly hides. Nothing but the best materials used. 4130 Chro-Moly, 6061-t6 Aluminum. It is one of the best built cars I have ever seen. My backgound- Automotive Engineering Manager.
@VectorW8015 Fit and finish are also second to none. The car has nothing to be ashamed of except for the fact that the company was hostially over taken by Indonesians and what the followed up with was the worlds worst built car. Unfortunately they placed a badge on it and tried to call it a Vector. It wasnt.
Probably the ultimate expression of the American V8-engined supercar, and I'm guessing a much simpler (& maybe more reliable) way of generating 1000-odd hp than the Bugatti Veyron. Still looks stunning too.
Not fortunate enough to know much about the vector manufacturer but one thing I do know is that all vector models are very rare and unique forsure love the video
@X3lfl3X Yes its an automatic, just like a Veyron, Enzo or any other exotic from today. It has a ratchet shifter that can be used manually or in auto mode.
I really enjoyed the video, but more so your comments and answers to questions on here. You have some great history and are very generous sharing it. The only thing about the W8 I'm not keen on is the styling.
i love it i saw this slide sho of a black 2008 WX8??? and some ugly white lambo. it was sweet, front end looked kinda lika a 90's camaro... still rather have american sounding engine without annoying, whining, ricy sounding turbos, but all in all, a pretty nice super car, coming from one picky ugly car hater...
What we have here is the beginning of all supercars. While other manufacturers were making 0-60 in 5.5 second cars, this was probably under 4 seconds. Sure, it's rough, heavy and for 2010, this engine would be considered a rough, powerful, stone-age engine that wastes fuel, but without manufacturers like these as competition, your Porsche may still be getting to 60 in 6 seconds...
Hi, I've been doing a ton of research on these cars, but have yet to figure out how the power from the trans spins the axles. It has a De Dion tube axle with 4 trailing arms stretching to the firewall, correct? Is the pinion still attached to the trans? I can't seem to find any pics at all.
As a side note, since they don't make the 255/45/16 and 315/40/16 tire anymore, what do you do for rubber?
@JasonWW2000 The engine is transversely mounted, aka Miura, with a trasmission that is also transversely mounted. The transmission's output shaft connects to a helical gear differential which has a pair of half shafts connected to it getting power to the wheels.
@bgnukem An automatic was fitted to stop turbo lag between shifts. It doesnt allow the engine to loose RPM between shifts and therefore loose power due to the turbos spooling down. It also gets you from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. The car has constant linear excelleration once you press the gas pedal.
@cdawg1113 It has the trasmission housing from a Turbohydro 425, but that is the only component that is untouched. All of the internals, shafts, gears, clutches, valve body etc is completely custom. It was the only transmission at the time that could be upgraded to handle the 1200 hp the engine is capable of.
the only car that can hold its own against the vector w8 is the bugatti veyhron, as i understand it the vector w8 is over 20 years old and was considered the fastest production car untill the veyhron. this car NEEDS to be re-introduced to the public. i wouyld sell both my testicals and my soul to own a vector w8
Do you know Mark down in Florida with #005? I know him semi good and I'm trying to go see his W8 again... I saw it in 2005... and I'm trying to do a 5 year anniversary thing (pictures and maybe some videos). Also, say hi to Isaac for me!
Omg, do you own this car? I can't believe I see the real thing here. I had it in Gran Turismo 4, and it was crazy fast, but it had horrible brakes and suspension set-up on bumpy tracks like the Nurburgring. I heard it was thought up by some kind of musician. Im most interested where you get parts for this thing! Not like theres Vector dealers on every corner.
@CrashBandikoot7 The Vector was designed by an automotive designer from Michigan who later relocated to California. As for parts, since I worked for Vector, I am still able to get my hands on items, but the car has not had many issues in its 20 years on earth. Ask a Lamborghini or Ferrari owner if they can say the same for a 20 year old car.
@VectorW8015 Lol, interesting.. Did not know that. Thought super cars made by these one off companies normally cant get any worse. Nice to know the Vector is holding up. I guess they tried making a good name for themselves. Who carries these items though? They are probably stolen most of them.
@CrashBandikoot7 . Fortunately Vector used only premium components in its build. 20+ years later many of the parts are still available from their original manufacturers. Also many of the places that supplied components for the Vector are willing to Manufacture one off components if the appropriate request is made. Items like tires are the only real issue at this point and at the 25 year mark they will be available once again.
@CrashBandikoot7 , Back when the Vector was developed every car in the world had 15" wheels. Vector pushed the limits and went with a unheard of at that time idea, 16" wheels. Michelin developed a tire specifically for the W8. One that they guarenteed to 250 mph on the W8. With 17 cars built, Michelin no longer manufactures that tire. Coker Tire gets the moulds at 25 years. Then we can get new tires in the correct size again.
@CrashBandikoot7 Back when the Vector was developed every car in the world had 15" wheels. Vector pushed the limits and went with a unheard of at that time idea, 16" wheels. Michelin developed a tire specifically for the W8. One that they guarenteed to 250 mph on the W8. With 17 cars built, Michelin no longer manufactures that tire. Coker Tire gets the moulds at 25 years. Then we can get new tires in the correct size again.
@VectorW8015 I see.. Kinda forgot for a second these rare super cars have specific tire measurements that you can't get anywhere else.. but im sure you could have found something very close to that size, no?
First, I have been passionate about the Vector since 1981 as a small boy when I saw it in a large text book entitled World Cars. If I had the ability to step outside of myself and design my ultimate vehicle, the Vector would be it. How is David K doing? I met Jerry at the NY Show and it was a pleasure. Did the prototype Vector that Jerry had for sale on EBAY a few years ago sell? Avtech WX3 any actual models ever produced with the 1200 H.P. engine? Was that a realistic hp #or more like 1,000?
Hi, David is doing well at his business. Jerry uses AWX3 and 3R as a draw for potential investors. He never really has them for sale. As for HP, all of the W8 engines are capable of 1200 hp with the boost at 14psi. But you must run 110 octane fuel. The HP numbers are very real. But on 92 octane 750hp is what the cars are producing. These numbers are actually WHP numbers, not crank. If you are ever in Michigan let me know your welcome to stop by.
@banditcoots The Vector W8 was a sports car produced from 1989 to 1993..The W8 had an estimated top speed of over 220 mph (354 km/h).However, in testing at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the W-2 reached 242 mph (389 km/h) with the less powerful Donovan block...from WIKI !!!
Oh right. Thanks for the reply. That's a shame. I'd imagine it'd be a big event to have that car restored. Presumably it would be priceless. So is Jerry in a bad way financially? I just looked on wikipedia and there's currently some vandalism (I presume) that claims: 'Jerry is a crook and a con man '. Is that just malicious?
It would take a significant amount of money to restore W2. I would imagine around 250,000+ to do the job correctly. Jerry has been broke for years. He is always looking for investors.
W2 is still with Jerry, but the Indonesians tore the car apart and made a mess of it. The interior was destroyed, the engine is missing, windows are missing and broken etc. It is just in need of a total restoration.
Thanks for your reply. How sad. Surely with a car with such historical significance, restoring it would be well worth the investment of time and cash. Have you driven the W2?
Well in the Video we never exceeded 25 mph in the subdivision and never exceeded the speed limit on any surface streets. This video is just a sample of the car in motion. If we were to have wound out the engine you would clearly hear it. The first to second gear shift would happen at 78 mph and the 2nd to 3rd gear shift would happen at 160 mph and 3 rd well is not really needed unless you need to achieve insane speed. So again this is just a slow video sample of the car in motion.
i seem to understand everything about the car now, but i still have one question to ask..... you have to be sick and tired of people asking the same things over and over, instead of just reading.... right???
I am happy to answer questions as long as someone has read the entire thread. Most of the information they are already looking for is in here. Thanks for the comment.
Well, the transmission had a leak of unknown origin, and Bugatti took the safe route rather than give it back to him. The transmission continued to work fine during the first test drive.
dont have much hair on the top of your head in the rear view but very nice car rare car fast car truely a timeless car and in the 90s they didnt have all the nice things we have now someone could say there enzo could beat it but they couldnt say they had 1 on 19 ever built or one of the few nice cars from america that could takedown some of ther italians cars or euros cars
To be honest it doesn't really seem that fast? An Enzo would walk this, what's it got maybe 4-500 horsepower? Primative Horsepower at that. It doesn't sound like it's running much boost either. Il take the Enzo....
No, the last car was built in 1993. There are only 17 production cars in the world, and 2 pre production cars that were later sold. 19 total, there wont be any more ever.
Hostile take over by MegaTech LTD. They then threw out ever single employee except for 2 and moved everything to Florida and then could no longer build cars because all of their experts were gone. They then placed a chopper gun fiberglass body on a Diablo chassis and called it a Vector M12.
Well that really sucks... Would you let me test drive it sometime? The closest thing I've driven to a supercar was a Chrysler 300C, but it was damn fast.
When I was a student in Malibu in 1990, I remember a guy used to park his Vector at the front door of the restaurant near my house on the beach. If my memory serves me correctly my uncle's company (Orschlen Brake Lever) in Missouri might have worked on some part of the brake system? Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and passion of this beautiful car! :)
this shit is crazy. if anyone finds one of these that someone is selling for cheap because they don't know what they are doing. buy it, because these things can go for a million dollars easily.
The very first time I knew of Vector was from an old exotic car book from the late 80s. As soon as I knew of the W8, it quickly became my #1 pick. It was and still is an amazing maching. I was able to see one (several really) at the 1991 Chicago auto show and unfortunately was the only time Ive ever seen one personally. After the Road & Track article in the Apr of 1992, it was solidified in what is now my top three.
Beautiful example. Please take more detailed video when you can.
Awesome video - thanks for sharing something truly rare with the rest of us. 015 is a beauty....would love to see more posts of it. Looks like a beast to drive. Bravo.
I echo comments posted here...this car is absolutely amazing - and the fact that you own it and explain it's specs here is so cool. You're aces. I always lusted after the W8 after reading about it in my dad's Road & Track mags from the early 90s. The W8 is the one to own. Bitchin. Would love to see more posts about it. Thanks again.
This is awesome. Thanks for posting - what an interesting car. I remember reading about Vectors in my dad's old Road & Track magazines... Curious how you came to acquire one? There aren't many W8s on the road.
When the car was new in 1992 the original price was $448,000. That was the base price, if you added options you could get up to $550,000 depending on what you wanted. With only 17 production cars built they have held their value and can go anywhere from $250,000 for a poor example to $1.2 million for a perfect example.
Hey really loved the vid, my dream car since i read about it in a concept car mag back about '91, always wanted to see what it looked like in action and surpasses my expectations!
By the way when you say 'gear limited to 242mph' are you saying it would go even faster if it had more gears? What would it be like performance wise in comparison to the new kid on the block, the Bugatti Veyron?
If the final drive ratio were changed the car would go faster, but it would take longer to get to that top end. The Veyron is a much newer car with a lot of technology. It will out run the Vector as long as it will keep running
My friend has a Veyron. It is neat, but the 45 mile drive from the dealer on its delivery day caused the transmission to fail, Bugatti flew the car to California for a new transmission. I dont know if the car has had any other problems since its initial trans failure.
Thats crazy that the bugatti broke down fresh from the dealership! How has your vector's reliability been, has it given much trouble over the years? One thing i always wanted to know was that the top speed as you say is 242mph, but was that the manufacturers claim or did your company actually prove it? I always believed it to be one of, if not the, fastest cars in the world, though we never heard much about it! By the way thanks for taking the time to answer all the q's, appreciate it!
Each car was top speed verified prior to delivery. There were issues with insurance companies back then that forced Vector to stop advertising its top speed for safety reasons. Vector then changed its advertising to state 200+mph. And the insurance gods then blessed the car. At the time, the fastest cars were running below 200, so when Vector hit 242 it created a lot of issues domestically.
The sound you hear is the cogged belt system on the accessory drive. For some reason it really comes through in the video, I am not sure if the camera mount transmitted it due to a resonant frequency or why it shows up. You dont hear it when driving the car. But it is a unique signature of the accessory drive belts.
Was the cog belt factory installed, or is it a modification you've done? Whats wrong with a serpentine? In the video it sounds like its got a big old school blower PLUS turbos. Love the vector, lucky to own one man!
Back when we built the cars the cogged belt system was a Can-Am system used for reliability and its inability to slip. Serpentine systems were not popular yet. In 1993 we built the two last cars with a Serpentine system but all previous W8's have the cogged belt system. It is not loud in the car you dont even hear it. For some reason the camera mounted to the sun roof resonated with that particular frequency during filming.
Most of the Vector W8's are in museums or private collections, the owners dont take them out. 017 One is in the Audi Museum in Germany, 007 AutoSensheim Museum in Germany. 001 is in a private collection here in Michigan, 002 in California, 003 in an Air Museum, 018 and 006 in a private collection, so you wont see them out. Its rare to see one on the road, 008 and 013 are in Japan in private hands. Some are on youtube videos.
well it seems to me that the rarest of occurrences has happened here; a person who really deserves to have the Holy Grail actually has it. To know that a former team member owns the car, drives the car, SHARES the car, humbly sweetly and patiently explains the car over and over to GT2 players, is miraculous. So many ultra rare cars just sit in collections and museums as investment fodder, it's a relief and a blessing that you ended up with the car. My hat's off to you, VectorW8015. Thanks.
If I had a wish for you, it would be that you could feel more comfortable putting that amazing rolling masterpiece through its paces. That car was obviously designed to do a little more than spirited drives around the block :). In a perfect world, you would be taking it out to undisclosed remote mountain and desert locations for unspeakably sublime romps through the countryside! But, a man like yourself must have other toys for such activities, no doubt. Just too bad no spare parts for the V
i remenber when i had grand turismo 2 and i bought a vector and in fact i could only get the car to 242 miles per hour its funny that the game wasnt that far of from the real cars max speed. love the car, like them more than lamborghinis, to bad they dont make em enymore.
Each car was built with a 625hp minimum guarantee from Vector, my car produces 749 at the rear wheels. 2 others are putting out the same. Other cars are between 625 and 749. That is with 92 octane and factory minimum of 8 lbs of boost. The car is capable of 14 lbs of boost and puts out 1200hp with 110 octane fuel. That was the engines optimal design, then it was detuned to 8 lbs to run on 92 octane and delivered to customers at that setting for vehicle longevity.
Ohh, that´s pretty Good, or should i say, it´s really amazing for a car that was build in the 90´s. But i don´t understand how the power can be soo diffrent, i mean, it´s same car as tho others. Here in sweden we have 95-100 octane in our gasoline stations.
Build tolerances can make a huge difference from engine to engine, Ring gaps, angle of hone different port work on cylinder heads etc. All of the porting a polishing was done by hand, so each engine will breath differently. Matching 2 engines to put out exactly the same horsepower when building high dollar performance engines is very difficult. You will be within 50hp or so, but when you are putting out 1200 at stoich that is less than .04% variation from engine to engine.
some might disagree, but i see this as the top supercar in the world. The interier is high tech even by todays standerds. plus, the sound of the engine is with out a dought the best of any car in the world. how did you come to own it?
nice sound
Razor19able 5 days ago
Sounds like they are very noisy to drive judging by the video.
Love the interior and exterior of the car but how does it stack up when it comes the fit and finish.
Is it a well built car, solid and well constructed with high end material.
Or something that looks like a plastic tonka toy.
Watchfullspark 1 month ago
@Watchfullspark The camera is hard mounted to the sunroof glass. Put your ear directly against you window and drive. You will get the idea. As for fit and finish, better than any Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar XJ220, Bugatti EB110. As for materials, Kevlar, Carbon-Fiber, Wilton Wool, Connolly hides. Nothing but the best materials used. 4130 Chro-Moly, 6061-t6 Aluminum. It is one of the best built cars I have ever seen. My backgound- Automotive Engineering Manager.
VectorW8015 1 month ago
@VectorW8015 Fit and finish are also second to none. The car has nothing to be ashamed of except for the fact that the company was hostially over taken by Indonesians and what the followed up with was the worlds worst built car. Unfortunately they placed a badge on it and tried to call it a Vector. It wasnt.
VectorW8015 1 month ago
lol the camera is upside down! :D
thedevo01 1 month ago
Probably the ultimate expression of the American V8-engined supercar, and I'm guessing a much simpler (& maybe more reliable) way of generating 1000-odd hp than the Bugatti Veyron. Still looks stunning too.
bgnukem 2 months ago
Not fortunate enough to know much about the vector manufacturer but one thing I do know is that all vector models are very rare and unique forsure love the video
8791zonda 2 months ago
This thing really Automatic ?
X3lfl3X 4 months ago
@X3lfl3X Yes its an automatic, just like a Veyron, Enzo or any other exotic from today. It has a ratchet shifter that can be used manually or in auto mode.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
i like the vector a lot , but it's shape is anything but timeless
michelinov 7 months ago
I really enjoyed the video, but more so your comments and answers to questions on here. You have some great history and are very generous sharing it. The only thing about the W8 I'm not keen on is the styling.
williamshatnerspants 7 months ago
That interior is insane!! i love it!!
UltimateWheelman 7 months ago
i love it i saw this slide sho of a black 2008 WX8??? and some ugly white lambo. it was sweet, front end looked kinda lika a 90's camaro... still rather have american sounding engine without annoying, whining, ricy sounding turbos, but all in all, a pretty nice super car, coming from one picky ugly car hater...
altamariea 7 months ago
like driving the future.....from the 80's
alexcheetah79 8 months ago
Love the Vector...If I would have saved the money I invested into my M3 I would have one already lol, I'm still in the market for one!
supraboostmk3 8 months ago
in early 90's were produced the best cars of history. todays cars aren't that good and revolutionary. today they look all the same. even sport cars.
psychonaut25 9 months ago
Slow Car!
smartsouler 10 months ago
i wonder how long it takes to read the flight manual.
watchforfinger 11 months ago
it's a very unique supercar, and that is what makes it so special.
laurence265 11 months ago
My favorite super car manufacturer. And so far my favorite model.
rockandrollmetalhead 1 year ago
my ultimate dream car along with the Corvette ZR1.
929ish 1 year ago
DAAAAAMN I WANT THAT SON OF A BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!
master777999 1 year ago
What we have here is the beginning of all supercars. While other manufacturers were making 0-60 in 5.5 second cars, this was probably under 4 seconds. Sure, it's rough, heavy and for 2010, this engine would be considered a rough, powerful, stone-age engine that wastes fuel, but without manufacturers like these as competition, your Porsche may still be getting to 60 in 6 seconds...
Umaxen 1 year ago
Hi, I've been doing a ton of research on these cars, but have yet to figure out how the power from the trans spins the axles. It has a De Dion tube axle with 4 trailing arms stretching to the firewall, correct? Is the pinion still attached to the trans? I can't seem to find any pics at all.
As a side note, since they don't make the 255/45/16 and 315/40/16 tire anymore, what do you do for rubber?
Keep up the good work!
JasonWW2000 1 year ago
@JasonWW2000 The engine is transversely mounted, aka Miura, with a trasmission that is also transversely mounted. The transmission's output shaft connects to a helical gear differential which has a pair of half shafts connected to it getting power to the wheels.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
was it this model Vector that was in the film "rising sun" pretty sure one of the japanese guys was driving a red one.
Legotruck82 1 year ago
@Legotruck82 Yes, same model that was in Rising Sun.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
Sounds good, but why fit an automatic???
bgnukem 1 year ago
@bgnukem An automatic was fitted to stop turbo lag between shifts. It doesnt allow the engine to loose RPM between shifts and therefore loose power due to the turbos spooling down. It also gets you from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. The car has constant linear excelleration once you press the gas pedal.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
this is one of the most beautiful cars i have EVER laid eyes on....bar none
Nitehawk770 1 year ago
what kind of tranny does it have
cdawg1113 1 year ago
@cdawg1113 It has the trasmission housing from a Turbohydro 425, but that is the only component that is untouched. All of the internals, shafts, gears, clutches, valve body etc is completely custom. It was the only transmission at the time that could be upgraded to handle the 1200 hp the engine is capable of.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
the only car that can hold its own against the vector w8 is the bugatti veyhron, as i understand it the vector w8 is over 20 years old and was considered the fastest production car untill the veyhron. this car NEEDS to be re-introduced to the public. i wouyld sell both my testicals and my soul to own a vector w8
valekazogoth 1 year ago
Same for me!
This car was a dream growing up.
Everyone saw the poster and was like, "wow".
Amazing to see it on video.
Notice at the end of the video, it had the Ferrari F40 look old and plain.
Amazing considering the Vector was much older.
phantom5573 1 year ago
Do you know Mark down in Florida with #005? I know him semi good and I'm trying to go see his W8 again... I saw it in 2005... and I'm trying to do a 5 year anniversary thing (pictures and maybe some videos). Also, say hi to Isaac for me!
alexander1485 1 year ago
Omg, do you own this car? I can't believe I see the real thing here. I had it in Gran Turismo 4, and it was crazy fast, but it had horrible brakes and suspension set-up on bumpy tracks like the Nurburgring. I heard it was thought up by some kind of musician. Im most interested where you get parts for this thing! Not like theres Vector dealers on every corner.
CrashBandikoot7 1 year ago
@CrashBandikoot7 The Vector was designed by an automotive designer from Michigan who later relocated to California. As for parts, since I worked for Vector, I am still able to get my hands on items, but the car has not had many issues in its 20 years on earth. Ask a Lamborghini or Ferrari owner if they can say the same for a 20 year old car.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
@VectorW8015 Lol, interesting.. Did not know that. Thought super cars made by these one off companies normally cant get any worse. Nice to know the Vector is holding up. I guess they tried making a good name for themselves. Who carries these items though? They are probably stolen most of them.
CrashBandikoot7 2 months ago
@CrashBandikoot7 . Fortunately Vector used only premium components in its build. 20+ years later many of the parts are still available from their original manufacturers. Also many of the places that supplied components for the Vector are willing to Manufacture one off components if the appropriate request is made. Items like tires are the only real issue at this point and at the 25 year mark they will be available once again.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
@VectorW8015 Really? Whats so special about the tires that you can't find the size for them?
CrashBandikoot7 2 months ago
@CrashBandikoot7 , Back when the Vector was developed every car in the world had 15" wheels. Vector pushed the limits and went with a unheard of at that time idea, 16" wheels. Michelin developed a tire specifically for the W8. One that they guarenteed to 250 mph on the W8. With 17 cars built, Michelin no longer manufactures that tire. Coker Tire gets the moulds at 25 years. Then we can get new tires in the correct size again.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
@CrashBandikoot7 Back when the Vector was developed every car in the world had 15" wheels. Vector pushed the limits and went with a unheard of at that time idea, 16" wheels. Michelin developed a tire specifically for the W8. One that they guarenteed to 250 mph on the W8. With 17 cars built, Michelin no longer manufactures that tire. Coker Tire gets the moulds at 25 years. Then we can get new tires in the correct size again.
VectorW8015 2 months ago
@VectorW8015 I see.. Kinda forgot for a second these rare super cars have specific tire measurements that you can't get anywhere else.. but im sure you could have found something very close to that size, no?
CrashBandikoot7 1 month ago
@CrashBandikoot7 No, there are no other tires that come close. Also none that are rated for the speed the W8 is capable of.
VectorW8015 1 month ago
@VectorW8015 I can only imagine what those factory tires look like today lol
CrashBandikoot7 1 month ago
@CrashBandikoot7 They dont look bad, the have just become plastic. They are no longer pliable. Its a bit like driving a 1200 hp Mattel big wheel.
VectorW8015 1 month ago
is this in bloomfield hills, MI?
dudzman 1 year ago
0;50 nice sound....
KRASNALOGRODOWY12 1 year ago
First, I have been passionate about the Vector since 1981 as a small boy when I saw it in a large text book entitled World Cars. If I had the ability to step outside of myself and design my ultimate vehicle, the Vector would be it. How is David K doing? I met Jerry at the NY Show and it was a pleasure. Did the prototype Vector that Jerry had for sale on EBAY a few years ago sell? Avtech WX3 any actual models ever produced with the 1200 H.P. engine? Was that a realistic hp #or more like 1,000?
banditcoots 1 year ago 6
Hi, David is doing well at his business. Jerry uses AWX3 and 3R as a draw for potential investors. He never really has them for sale. As for HP, all of the W8 engines are capable of 1200 hp with the boost at 14psi. But you must run 110 octane fuel. The HP numbers are very real. But on 92 octane 750hp is what the cars are producing. These numbers are actually WHP numbers, not crank. If you are ever in Michigan let me know your welcome to stop by.
VectorW8015 1 year ago
mines only got 200 bhp
BMW M3
sennadasliva1 1 year ago
@banditcoots The Vector W8 was a sports car produced from 1989 to 1993..The W8 had an estimated top speed of over 220 mph (354 km/h).However, in testing at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the W-2 reached 242 mph (389 km/h) with the less powerful Donovan block...from WIKI !!!
CanijAsa 1 year ago
@banditcoots
I found the Vector the same way
Before that the Countach was my favorite but the Vector takes the Countach design them to the next level
It looks like it crawled out of an '80s instrumental synthesizer track
Novantii 7 months ago
Oh right. Thanks for the reply. That's a shame. I'd imagine it'd be a big event to have that car restored. Presumably it would be priceless. So is Jerry in a bad way financially? I just looked on wikipedia and there's currently some vandalism (I presume) that claims: 'Jerry is a crook and a con man '. Is that just malicious?
benjamin308 2 years ago
It would take a significant amount of money to restore W2. I would imagine around 250,000+ to do the job correctly. Jerry has been broke for years. He is always looking for investors.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
What's the deal with the W2 these days. Last I heard it was in bits in some lock-up somewhere. Do you know if that's still the case?
benjamin308 2 years ago
@benjamin308
W2 is still with Jerry, but the Indonesians tore the car apart and made a mess of it. The interior was destroyed, the engine is missing, windows are missing and broken etc. It is just in need of a total restoration.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Thanks for your reply. How sad. Surely with a car with such historical significance, restoring it would be well worth the investment of time and cash. Have you driven the W2?
benjamin308 2 years ago
@VectorW8015 Damn indonesians.
310stanger 1 year ago
CMON he should of floored it ahaha rah rite he probably end up on top a tree
Saul0052 2 years ago
doesnt seem that fast for all the noise its making, my old mans TVR seems quicker, cool car tho , have always been fascinated by these
lukeshytalker02 2 years ago
Well in the Video we never exceeded 25 mph in the subdivision and never exceeded the speed limit on any surface streets. This video is just a sample of the car in motion. If we were to have wound out the engine you would clearly hear it. The first to second gear shift would happen at 78 mph and the 2nd to 3rd gear shift would happen at 160 mph and 3 rd well is not really needed unless you need to achieve insane speed. So again this is just a slow video sample of the car in motion.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
:)
One of the greatest memory's of my life!
nthfinity 2 years ago 2
This car was in Gran Turismo 2, and I was very suprised when i found it only had a 3 speed gearbox.... extremely fast car.
fentonjd 2 years ago 3
thats my car! :) joke :)
V3ctor88 2 years ago
I wanna see this car in an Autobahn.
Patroclo007 2 years ago 3
Epic car.
PedroGuedes747 2 years ago 21
I wouldn't really call it timeless. It looks very 80's (which is awesome!). This car was in the movie Rising Sun. It sounds sick!
NinjaRunningWild 2 years ago
viva Led Zeppelin!!
nice car
44ocaso44 2 years ago 4
speed limit, dear :)
apogeus1 2 years ago
I didnt see one posted ;-D
VectorW8015 2 years ago
i seem to understand everything about the car now, but i still have one question to ask..... you have to be sick and tired of people asking the same things over and over, instead of just reading.... right???
importspeed9161981 2 years ago 2
Yes,
I am happy to answer questions as long as someone has read the entire thread. Most of the information they are already looking for is in here. Thanks for the comment.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Great car the W8,it seems a spaceship.This car have a Lamborghini engine no?.I love Vector
VectorFanGT 2 years ago
No, the Vector W8 has a twin turbo V8.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
when the paper floated to the windshield did you have the sunroof or windows down?
reedrich4rds 2 years ago
The sunroof is a fixed glass roof. Windows were closed.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
where was the paper to begin with? how did it float to the dash?
reedrich4rds 2 years ago
Please read previous comments further in to the thread.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
thats so sick...it sounds like a fucking spaceship...exactly how a sound that looks like that should sound
Pup1234567 2 years ago 2
Well, the transmission had a leak of unknown origin, and Bugatti took the safe route rather than give it back to him. The transmission continued to work fine during the first test drive.
nthfinity 2 years ago
Great Car
carlosbubu 2 years ago
it sounds like plane takes off o.o! The interior was like a plane..
MrCoffeegonefishin 2 years ago
what was on the winsheild it looked like a piece of paper or something?
gangsterant67 2 years ago
It is a piece of heavy card stock that has a message on it for people at car shows.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
this is a monsterrrrrrrr
thebellyx91 2 years ago 4
coool :|
nataneraser 2 years ago 3
dont have much hair on the top of your head in the rear view but very nice car rare car fast car truely a timeless car and in the 90s they didnt have all the nice things we have now someone could say there enzo could beat it but they couldnt say they had 1 on 19 ever built or one of the few nice cars from america that could takedown some of ther italians cars or euros cars
tvrmjunkie 2 years ago
This car will give an Enzo a very good run for it's money on pump gas. Honestly, I don't know which would win... this car is very healthy.
nthfinity 2 years ago 2
To be honest it doesn't really seem that fast? An Enzo would walk this, what's it got maybe 4-500 horsepower? Primative Horsepower at that. It doesn't sound like it's running much boost either. Il take the Enzo....
suzuki400boi 2 years ago
749 RWHP on 8lbs of boost, 1200RWHP on 14lbs of boost and 110 Octane Fuel. Top end this car will suck the door glass off and Enzo on its way past it.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
What a beast! Looks like a fighter jet inside with all the switches and buttons. It's cool
Shihtzu1968 2 years ago 3
Sounds like a plane.
Nuno0614 2 years ago 2
3 gears only
VideoParangon 2 years ago 2
it was automatic?
fezzial 2 years ago
hows the cornering, and what time from 0-60 m
how much HP it has,
i wonder as TVR will vector revive after the crisis???
panzarw 2 years ago
The car is capable of 1.25g on the skid pad. Read previous posts for answers to the other quesions.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Price check? 200k? 300k? Priceless?
Stevenhiggles 2 years ago
Priceless. With only 19 cars ever manufactured, when new they were $448,000.00 15 years later they can sell for up to 1.4 million.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Dare I ask where you found such an orchestra or sound and speed?
NFS4LFE 2 years ago
At the factory where we built them.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Ah lucky. Are these still in production?
NFS4LFE 2 years ago
No, the last car was built in 1993. There are only 17 production cars in the world, and 2 pre production cars that were later sold. 19 total, there wont be any more ever.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Was it too expensive to build or something?
NFS4LFE 2 years ago
Hostile take over by MegaTech LTD. They then threw out ever single employee except for 2 and moved everything to Florida and then could no longer build cars because all of their experts were gone. They then placed a chopper gun fiberglass body on a Diablo chassis and called it a Vector M12.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Well that really sucks... Would you let me test drive it sometime? The closest thing I've driven to a supercar was a Chrysler 300C, but it was damn fast.
NFS4LFE 2 years ago
Vector M12 wasn't a true Vector in my book it was a Diablo built in a America as far as I know.
vfIskullangel 2 years ago 3
Sounds like the tumbler.
gbeneviste 2 years ago 15
And when I drive it, I am..........Batman.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
And I am your trusty side-kick.......hurry up and come pick me up!!!!!
kellkan69 2 years ago
lucky man
heramoth 2 years ago
wow
adokenk3nnbasil 2 years ago
nice sound
adokenk3nnbasil 2 years ago
When I was a student in Malibu in 1990, I remember a guy used to park his Vector at the front door of the restaurant near my house on the beach. If my memory serves me correctly my uncle's company (Orschlen Brake Lever) in Missouri might have worked on some part of the brake system? Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and passion of this beautiful car! :)
jimhayes69 2 years ago
did he floor it?
Jamirofan89 2 years ago
Did who floor it?
VectorW8015 2 years ago
waaaaaa!
damn man!
this shit is crazy. if anyone finds one of these that someone is selling for cheap because they don't know what they are doing. buy it, because these things can go for a million dollars easily.
dgk990 2 years ago
I've always wanted to see one of these in action.
jdoggybizzle 2 years ago
Whoops...R&T was Mar 91. My bad.
railgun1369 2 years ago
The very first time I knew of Vector was from an old exotic car book from the late 80s. As soon as I knew of the W8, it quickly became my #1 pick. It was and still is an amazing maching. I was able to see one (several really) at the 1991 Chicago auto show and unfortunately was the only time Ive ever seen one personally. After the Road & Track article in the Apr of 1992, it was solidified in what is now my top three.
Beautiful example. Please take more detailed video when you can.
railgun1369 2 years ago
You Americans and your automatics... It's hopeless. But DAMN that car is powerfull! Like a power plant on wheels!! Impressive!
Ellersgaardrazz 2 years ago 4
haha and it's a 3 speed too :P
dgk990 2 years ago
no fuk off aapiemike, give it me please!!!!
D0DGECHARGERFAN 2 years ago
if you die! PLease hand me over that car !! :D WHAUW :D
aapiemike 3 years ago
Awesome video - thanks for sharing something truly rare with the rest of us. 015 is a beauty....would love to see more posts of it. Looks like a beast to drive. Bravo.
VynRumbold 3 years ago
I echo comments posted here...this car is absolutely amazing - and the fact that you own it and explain it's specs here is so cool. You're aces. I always lusted after the W8 after reading about it in my dad's Road & Track mags from the early 90s. The W8 is the one to own. Bitchin. Would love to see more posts about it. Thanks again.
VynRumbold 3 years ago
Thank you.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
This is awesome. Thanks for posting - what an interesting car. I remember reading about Vectors in my dad's old Road & Track magazines... Curious how you came to acquire one? There aren't many W8s on the road.
VynRumbold 3 years ago
I think if you read the history on here you will find that I worked for Vector Aeromotive back when she was built.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
which year ? is that vector ??
PimpSquadClickPimp 3 years ago
1992
VectorW8015 3 years ago
nice car good looks god if the future was this id buy one classic car i own this car on gt2 love it that thing can shift
martoksneghvar 3 years ago
Until now, this car doesn't look outdated. It even looks futuristic! Seems to look like a car from 2020 onwards!
Banj95 3 years ago
Do you own it?
papeckis 3 years ago
Yes
VectorW8015 3 years ago
rich and with stile :)
papeckis 3 years ago
Poor and broke, but with Vector, so life is good.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
Hah what a sound...love the waste gate snort and nothing tops the sound of a V8.
Incredible.
VooDooXII 3 years ago
I own this car on Gran Turismo 2 lol cant afford a real one unless I win the lottery
legessetg 3 years ago
That's absolutely astonishing. Amazing car!
hyperdanny 3 years ago
Thank you.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
really nice car and sound, thanks for sharing, finally can see how a vector really runs on the road
karimxwoods 3 years ago
how much does this car cost?
punksnotdead543 3 years ago
When the car was new in 1992 the original price was $448,000. That was the base price, if you added options you could get up to $550,000 depending on what you wanted. With only 17 production cars built they have held their value and can go anywhere from $250,000 for a poor example to $1.2 million for a perfect example.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
What are this car's performance figures?
thealexinator 3 years ago
0-60 3.9 seconds
1/4 mile 12.0 seconds at 129 mph
Top speed is gear limited to 242 mph
VectorW8015 3 years ago
Hey really loved the vid, my dream car since i read about it in a concept car mag back about '91, always wanted to see what it looked like in action and surpasses my expectations!
By the way when you say 'gear limited to 242mph' are you saying it would go even faster if it had more gears? What would it be like performance wise in comparison to the new kid on the block, the Bugatti Veyron?
TheMojoMojo26 2 years ago
If the final drive ratio were changed the car would go faster, but it would take longer to get to that top end. The Veyron is a much newer car with a lot of technology. It will out run the Vector as long as it will keep running
VectorW8015 2 years ago
My friend has a Veyron. It is neat, but the 45 mile drive from the dealer on its delivery day caused the transmission to fail, Bugatti flew the car to California for a new transmission. I dont know if the car has had any other problems since its initial trans failure.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Thats crazy that the bugatti broke down fresh from the dealership! How has your vector's reliability been, has it given much trouble over the years? One thing i always wanted to know was that the top speed as you say is 242mph, but was that the manufacturers claim or did your company actually prove it? I always believed it to be one of, if not the, fastest cars in the world, though we never heard much about it! By the way thanks for taking the time to answer all the q's, appreciate it!
TheMojoMojo26 2 years ago
Each car was top speed verified prior to delivery. There were issues with insurance companies back then that forced Vector to stop advertising its top speed for safety reasons. Vector then changed its advertising to state 200+mph. And the insurance gods then blessed the car. At the time, the fastest cars were running below 200, so when Vector hit 242 it created a lot of issues domestically.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
all american1... and it does'nt have that annoying high pitch engine like italian cars if I could i would proudly proclaim that car a real mans car
santanoreal1026 3 years ago
what an ugly car but its frikin fast
dayboyy24 3 years ago
what is that weird sound near the end of the video, It sounds like something wrong with the engine, but it may be something else.
akumagouki888 3 years ago
The sound you hear is the cogged belt system on the accessory drive. For some reason it really comes through in the video, I am not sure if the camera mount transmitted it due to a resonant frequency or why it shows up. You dont hear it when driving the car. But it is a unique signature of the accessory drive belts.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
Was the cog belt factory installed, or is it a modification you've done? Whats wrong with a serpentine? In the video it sounds like its got a big old school blower PLUS turbos. Love the vector, lucky to own one man!
XR4turbo 2 years ago
Back when we built the cars the cogged belt system was a Can-Am system used for reliability and its inability to slip. Serpentine systems were not popular yet. In 1993 we built the two last cars with a Serpentine system but all previous W8's have the cogged belt system. It is not loud in the car you dont even hear it. For some reason the camera mounted to the sun roof resonated with that particular frequency during filming.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
Ok cool thanks for the info. My '84 RX7 has a v-belt instead of serpentine.
XR4turbo 2 years ago
The car is 100% factory original other than the battery and fluids. Which have been changed on a regular basis.
VectorW8015 2 years ago
are you like the only one with these. because most the videos i see is this one. and even the pictures ive seen have been of this one
TheMainMan318 3 years ago
Most of the Vector W8's are in museums or private collections, the owners dont take them out. 017 One is in the Audi Museum in Germany, 007 AutoSensheim Museum in Germany. 001 is in a private collection here in Michigan, 002 in California, 003 in an Air Museum, 018 and 006 in a private collection, so you wont see them out. Its rare to see one on the road, 008 and 013 are in Japan in private hands. Some are on youtube videos.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
ohh i see. well thank you for sharing this beast with us
TheMainMan318 3 years ago 3
Can I take a ride with you? LOL, nice car man...
420witchdoctor 3 years ago
This car makes me cry... i just can dream of it Y_Y
Zerolagg 3 years ago
well it seems to me that the rarest of occurrences has happened here; a person who really deserves to have the Holy Grail actually has it. To know that a former team member owns the car, drives the car, SHARES the car, humbly sweetly and patiently explains the car over and over to GT2 players, is miraculous. So many ultra rare cars just sit in collections and museums as investment fodder, it's a relief and a blessing that you ended up with the car. My hat's off to you, VectorW8015. Thanks.
travkatz 3 years ago 2
Thank you Travkatz. I appreciate that.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
If I had a wish for you, it would be that you could feel more comfortable putting that amazing rolling masterpiece through its paces. That car was obviously designed to do a little more than spirited drives around the block :). In a perfect world, you would be taking it out to undisclosed remote mountain and desert locations for unspeakably sublime romps through the countryside! But, a man like yourself must have other toys for such activities, no doubt. Just too bad no spare parts for the V
travkatz 3 years ago
what was that a parking ticket
TheBassKillerUnited 3 years ago
Just a sign that is in the car at car shows made from heavy card stock.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
i just bought one on GT2 funny lol
antonisbob 3 years ago
i remenber when i had grand turismo 2 and i bought a vector and in fact i could only get the car to 242 miles per hour its funny that the game wasnt that far of from the real cars max speed. love the car, like them more than lamborghinis, to bad they dont make em enymore.
cavalierblue 3 years ago
Hi ! I remember when i was playing GT2, and i liked that car really much haha. Så in the game it says that car got 700hp. So is the fact correct?
eclipzor 3 years ago
Each car was built with a 625hp minimum guarantee from Vector, my car produces 749 at the rear wheels. 2 others are putting out the same. Other cars are between 625 and 749. That is with 92 octane and factory minimum of 8 lbs of boost. The car is capable of 14 lbs of boost and puts out 1200hp with 110 octane fuel. That was the engines optimal design, then it was detuned to 8 lbs to run on 92 octane and delivered to customers at that setting for vehicle longevity.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
Ohh, that´s pretty Good, or should i say, it´s really amazing for a car that was build in the 90´s. But i don´t understand how the power can be soo diffrent, i mean, it´s same car as tho others. Here in sweden we have 95-100 octane in our gasoline stations.
eclipzor 3 years ago
Build tolerances can make a huge difference from engine to engine, Ring gaps, angle of hone different port work on cylinder heads etc. All of the porting a polishing was done by hand, so each engine will breath differently. Matching 2 engines to put out exactly the same horsepower when building high dollar performance engines is very difficult. You will be within 50hp or so, but when you are putting out 1200 at stoich that is less than .04% variation from engine to engine.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
some might disagree, but i see this as the top supercar in the world. The interier is high tech even by todays standerds. plus, the sound of the engine is with out a dought the best of any car in the world. how did you come to own it?
tff1293 3 years ago
I worked for Vector for many years. Eventually I purchased the car from its original owner.
VectorW8015 3 years ago
thats cool. it must be awsome having a car like that.
tff1293 3 years ago
My Ex called the Vector my wife and she was just the girlfriend.
VectorW8015 3 years ago