This is the 1996 Vector M12, chassis number (1V9MB1228T1048005).The early issues for Vector as a company was typically raising enough funds to complete their wild ideas, however, this is an example of one of those projects that eventually came to life. The first production car Gerald Wiegert, founder of Vector was able to compete was the W8, which we’ve already covered in detail. Vector was able to complete a total of 17 W8 units. Followed by that came the WX-3 & WX-3R one-off prototypes that were both painted to match Wiegert’s Jetski company at the time, Aquajet. During this time, an Indonesian company, ‘MegaTech’ acquired a controlling interest in Vector. After having just debuted the WX-3 & WX3-R prototypes in Geneva in 1993, upon arriving back to the Vector HQ, Wiegert was asked by the Vector board & MegaTech to relinquish control of the company and only assume the role of the company’s designer. Wiegert famously refused and subsequently ordered the Vector HQ to be locked down, literally. Wiegert was later fired by Vector Aeromotive after a long period of refusal to cooperate with the new ownership. Then, the M12 came along, the first Vector produced under parent company, MegaTech after the hostile takeover. This Vector was designed by one of the UK's best-known vehicle designers, Peter Stevens. Being that MegaTech owned Lamborghini at the time, the M12 was based mostly on the Diablo, utilizing a lot of the same mechanical components. This would eventually become one of Vectors biggest mistakes as production ended in 1999 for the M12 mainly because they could no longer afford the Lamborghini V12 engines they were using.
How many made? 1 of 17, with only 14 considered to be full production models. This is the 5th M12 built, and the only purple M12 from the factory.
Debut: 1996 Detroit Auto Show
Engine: 5.7L Lambo V12 with 492hp
Top Speed: 189mph
0-60mph: 4.8 seconds
Photo Credit: @davidbushphoto
Research: @rarecarsonly