This is the unbelievably rare 1998 Vector M12, chassis number 011, the only orange example ever produced. Originally this car was painted orange, and featured a bright blue interior, in order to match the owner’s Soccer club, which he managed. After changing ownership, the car was fitted with a new black interior, a new steering wheel, and a new exhaust system. The first production car Gerald Wiegert, the founder of Vector, was able to complete was known as the W8. Vector was able to complete a total of 17 production W8 units, as well as 2 prototypes. Followed by that came the WX-3 & WX-3R, which were 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. Following this, the M12 came along, the first Vector produced under parent company, MegaTech after the acquisition of the company. This Vector model was designed by one of the UK's best-known vehicle designers, Peter Stevens, who is best known for his work on the McLaren F1 and the JaguarSport XJR-15. Being that MegaTech owned Lamborghini at the time, the M12 was based mostly on the Diablo, utilizing a lot of the same mechanical components.
How many made? 1 of 17, with only 14 considered to be full production models. The only orange M12 from the factory.
Debut: 1996 Detroit Auto Show
Engine: 5.7L Lamborghini V12 with 492hp
Top Speed: 189mph
0-60mph: 4.8 seconds
Photo Credit: @chroma_no_atelier
Research: @rarecarsonly, thanks to Jay Hull for help with information on Vector Cars