| Author | Message | ||
| tony m ta (Tony2ta)
New member Username: Tony2ta Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2003 |
I have been owning a Lambo Countach 5000S for few years now, and nothing but headaches and regreted even bought this junk. After, I brought the Vector W8 home, I decided that I will sell the Lambo Countach for cheap, cheap(price of the nissan)1988.5 Countach black/black 12,000miles,new clutch. Also, my collection of toys are for sell too. | ||
| Kevin Theobald (Vectorclub)
New member Username: Vectorclub Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2003 |
Just ran across this message board, thought I would post a few things. Vector Aeromotive Corporation was a company formed in 1987 in Wilmington, California. The real start of the company was back in 1971 when Gerald Wiegert formed Vehicle Design Force and displayed a futuristic car called the Vector at the 1972 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The Vector was just a body, not a real car. At the time Wiegert claimed he was going to produce the car with a Porsche flat 6 engine or a rotary engine. The Vector made the cover of Motor Trend back then. In 1976 a new concept car was started, the W-2. In 1978 the W-2 became a drivable automobile. It featured a twin turbo Chevrolet 350 engine bored out to 400 cubic inches. The W-2 looked like something from sci-fi movie, but many people really liked the design. From 1978-1989 the W-2 was modified many times. Many people believe there was many W-2s. The W-2 racked up over 300,000 miles. It is probably the highest mileage concept car ever built. That is not to say that it makes a better car. It was just driven a lot. After Vector Aeromotive Corporation stock hit the NASDAQ, the company finally had the funds to begin production. The company burned through millions and millions of dollars with little to show for it. Each Vector was taking over 4000 man hours to complete. Vector Aeromotive was not the picture of efficiency. The W-8 got mixed reviews among the automotive press. One item that many did understand was the use of the Oldsmobile 3 speed automatic transmission. The F-16 fighter display panel was hard for drivers to read while driving. Like many other exotics, rearview visibility was poor. What you can see from inside the car is the glow of the turbo exhaust pipes. Since the Vector W-2 and W-8 were designed without the aid of wind tunnels or high tech computer software, aerodynamic issues were not detected until after production began. The early W-8s actually have issues with the front wanting to lift at high speeds. The top speeds shown in magazines are all theory, not fact. If look at the front ends of early W-8s versus later W-8s you will see the alterations made to help with the high speed lift issue. When I say early W-8s versus later W-8s, production was short lived. Production lasted just a couple of years. A total of 17 production cars and 2 preproduction W-8s were made. Since production was far slower then hoped and the company was burning through cash quickly, prices for the W-8 kept jumping. Prices started around $225,000 but jumped to over $400,000 by the time production was coming to an end. This is a link to images of Ron Tonkins W-8 #009 http://www.vectoraeromotiveclub.com/thecars/w8009/w8009.htm Wiegert ended production of the W-8 in 1992 to make way for the WX-3. It was going to be the ultimate automobile. That is what he said about the W-2 and W-8. Various members of the automotive press were tired of the hype and promises made by Wiegert. The WX-3 was a good looking car to most people. Here is a link to images of the WX-3. http://www.vectoraeromotiveclub.com/thecars/wx3.htm The WX-3 was going to retail for $600,000. The claim is it would have a 1000bhp engine. The coupe had a bench style seat. This meant when you hung a turn you had no support to keep you from sliding around. The WX-3 roadster seems like the best of Vectors built. The son of the corrupt Indonesian President at the time, invested into Vector Aeromotive. Wiegert knew Vector needed more money to keep going, so he accepted the investment. In 1993, the Indonesian, known as Tommy, and his associates from Malaysia, joined the Board of Directors. The Vector Board of Directors fired Wiegert. When Wiegert found out he was fired, he hired armed guards, told all employees they were fired, and changed the locks on the Vector buildings. After a series of courts battles and an ugly battle in the media, Wiegert was forced to give up Vector Aeromotive. Wiegert had been accused of using company money like it was his own. They also claimed he did a poor job running the company. Wiegert delivered some major blows to Vector Aeromotive since he had somehow protected the patents to the W-8. The Board of Directors may have had the company, but they could not the W-8 because Wiegert had the patents on the car. Vector Aeromotive moved to Florida. Tommy and friends did buy Lamborghini. The WX-3 was never built. Instead a new design was evolved from the WX-3. The new car was called the M-12. It used the Lamborghini 12 cylinder engine. Production started in 1995 and the car retailed for $185,000. The automotive press was impressed. The car was fast, but build quality was not the best. Like the W-8, the M-12 felt under developed. It is interesting to note that 17 M-12s were built, just like there was 17 W-8s built. One of the factors that hurt Vector Aeromotive in Florida was continued law suits by Wiegert. This is not to say the company would have been a whole lot better off if Wiegert had not sued. Tommy and friends unloaded their investments not long before the people of Indonesia threw out his corrupt father. The next owner of Vector was unable to do much with the company. Another law suit was filed by Wiegert. He won most of the assets of Vector Aeromotive. About the only thing left was the name of the company. Wiegert has not just doing court battles since being fired by Vector Aeromotive. He started a personal watercraft company called Aquajet back in 1993. Wiegert had been involved in the design of the Jet Ski and Wetbike. He was know building the Jetbike. It looks like a motorcycle on skies. You can see them at www.aquajet.com Production of the Jetbike has been slow. The Jetbike costs double of most quality jet skies. Sales have been slow. In addition to Aquajet, Wiegert started Avtech Motors which has become Vector Supercars. Wiegert has managed to start building another concept car. This time he is offering a Dodge V-10 with option twin turbo or a Chevrolet twin turbo. You can learn more at www.vectorsupercars.com It will be interesting to see if anyone invests in Vector Supercars. Vector Aeromotive was not a successful company under Wiegert's leadership. Aquajet is not a financial success yet. When it comes to making profits for investors, his record is weak. The current exotic car market has mega corporations with huge budgets in it. How Wiegert hopes to survive against VW, Ford, Porsche, Fiat, DiamlerChrysler, BMW and FIAT is hard to say. If you look at the American Supercar niche, Ford (the GT) Saleen (the S7) and Mosler (MT900) seem to have that area filled. To be able to build a car to compete with an Enzo or Bugatti Veyron is going to require a huge budget. Wiegert is fighter and has beaten the odds in some ways. There may come a day when Wiegert will once again produce cars. | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 315 Registered: 3-2002 |
Taek spoke about the Vector the way any true Lamborghini admirer would. William H and Allan have contributed to the thread also. A pattern has developed. There is always a market for a spaceship or automobile with a GE J-79 jet engine. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2679 Registered: 2-2001 |
Ron was 1 of the major Vector dealers, funny he would sue cus the car wasnt ready for prime time | ||
| Mark PDX (Markpdx)
New member Username: Markpdx Post Number: 38 Registered: 4-2003 |
>>"Of special interest on the green will be the exotic car maestro of the Northwest, Mr. Ron Tonkin, whose Vector has virtually no miles on it.<< There is a reason for that. It has been quite a few years but I remember an article in the Oregonian about all the problems Tonkin had with his Vector(s). IIRC he had to have the electrical systems replaced and he was sueing under a lemon law or something similar as the cars wer unfit for sale. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1274 Registered: 11-2002 |
OK, OK, I'll be the idiot who says it. I think they're cool. I like the 12 in particular. Interior looks plain, but the exterior looks like a spaceship. Should make for a fun toy. Cheers | ||
| L. Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Moderator Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 2038 Registered: 8-2002 |
From Concorso Italiano: "The Concorso Italiano is pleased to be honoring Vector, the high speed, low, flat and wide American sports car inspired by Jerry Weigert that began production in 1979. "Only 17 of the small, block powered Vector W8 super cars were produced, so those attending this year's Concorso Italiano will be treated to a rare site when they see six to eight of these military jet inspired GT cars. "Of special interest on the green will be the exotic car maestro of the Northwest, Mr. Ron Tonkin, whose Vector has virtually no miles on it. "A special area on the main display field has been reserved for the Vectors. Don't miss seeing these wild American Hot Rods." | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2673 Registered: 2-2001 |
not bad for $85k. I'd like to meet the clown who would pay $225k for a Vector  | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 899 Registered: 11-2001 |
Here's one for sale now...later model W12... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2420772706&category=6472 Not to bad for $90k. Nice pics too. | ||
| Faisal Khan (Tvrfreak)
Member Username: Tvrfreak Post Number: 286 Registered: 3-2003 |
Literally, it means dirty, as in manky old clothes. But it's often used to mean ugly, crappy, undesirable. Now really, really ugly is minging! | ||
| Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Member Username: Deleteall Post Number: 411 Registered: 12-2001 |
"Absolutely manky" What the hell does Manky mean? | ||
| Faisal Khan (Tvrfreak)
Member Username: Tvrfreak Post Number: 285 Registered: 3-2003 |
There's usually one or two tooling around the Monterey peninsula on the Pebble Week weekend. I have seen a red and yellow one there every year. Saw a grey one too, once. They look cool from every angle, except the rear. It's just a bunch of horizontal stripes in the back. Absolutely manky! I will see if I can dig up some pics. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 4755 Registered: 8-2002 |
i remember seeing one at the auto show the same year they had the Bat Mobile... It had me mesmerized and i've wanted one ever since... That was the only time i ever saw one... | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 893 Registered: 11-2001 |
I remember back in the mid-90's when Megatech was building the Vector at their shop about 10 minutes down the road here. They had a facility at Reynolds Industrial Park in Green Cove Springs, FL. where they hand assembled them, and then tested them out on the old abandoned airstrip there. Around that time, Lamborghini's offical headquarters for the USA was in Jacksonville (via Jax Port) at an upscale office complex (Deerwood ?). I seem to recall that Lambo, Megatech, Vector, and the Malaysian investment company were all tied together then -- hence the Lambo motors in the later Vectors. Used to see a couple of different later model Vectors around town quite often -- usually parked outside local restaurants of all places! Guess the employees were using them to drive to lunch . Jerry Weigart certainly had a vision, and persistence to make it a reality -- it's just too bad that he squandered it all away in the end. | ||
| IamA (Ski_bum)
New member Username: Ski_bum Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2002 |
JRV, now show a picture proving that there are THREE vectors!! <grin> | ||
| William Huber (Solipsist)
Intermediate Member Username: Solipsist Post Number: 1147 Registered: 9-2001 |
Allan, Check this out. Look what I found for sale. http://www.exoticcarworld.com/images/sale/Vector/Vector.htm | ||
| DanPic (Danp)
New member Username: Danp Post Number: 20 Registered: 2-2002 |
As Chris said, there's a silver one that I see regularly, usually on the 101 between the 405 and Universal. It's a least good to know that someone is driving it! | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 1774 Registered: 11-2002 |
There was a joke (rumour) for years that all the Vectors claimed to have been built were the same car painted various different colors as few if any photos had 2 cars side by side in them. Took this pic in Monterey in the mid 90's when I actually saw 2 different cars.  | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2667 Registered: 2-2001 |
Jerry's problem was that he lived on a shoestring & sacrificed a lot to make his car reality. Once he got investor $ he went crazy & blew most of it on himself & his GF. He even didnt pay most of his employees. Shame. Looks like Saleen is doing well. I wonder what Callaway is up to these days? | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1783 Registered: 10-2002 |
It's hard to imagine the amount of $ it takes to make a real supercar. I think Lambo will now be able to really make a great car with VW's backing. Very nice Countach. Pretty in white. | ||
| Patrick Denonville (Arizonaguy)
Member Username: Arizonaguy Post Number: 277 Registered: 4-2003 |
If your under 6feet tall and have a hard time in a vector, then I would have to be real flexible to fit into one of those ugly things... | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 618 Registered: 6-2002 |
This one was some twin turbo chevy or something, not Lambo powered. The Lambo-powered ones are just as ugly. It had ostrich skin interior. Im just under 6ft tall. Everyone who saw this car, thought it was a kit car. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Advanced Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2867 Registered: 12-2000 |
I remember seeing them for the first time back in '92 at a Las Vegas car show, both the regular version and the W3 (I always prefered the smoother lines of that one than the regular one). I'll have to dig up the photos I took of them. I also have some brochures lying around, somewhere in my piles of papers/books/junk... Recent updates in the Concorso Italiano newsletters say that they expect (I think) 10 or 12 Vectors to show up in their car-corral this year... | ||
| Drstranglove (Drstranglove)
Member Username: Drstranglove Post Number: 554 Registered: 4-2003 |
Damn!!! It looked better in that movie "Rising Sun!!!!!" DrS | ||
| chris cummings (Entelechy)
Member Username: Entelechy Post Number: 309 Registered: 5-2001 |
There's a silver one driving around West LA/UCLA. I've seen it about 12 times over the last year or so. Last time I saw it, it went past on the freeway and that rear angle is definitely very unflattering. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2663 Registered: 2-2001 |
I met Jerry & got a ride in an early Vector & toured his factory with the FOC back around 92. Jerry sold out to a Malaysian Co, Megatech I believe who later bought Lambo. Megatech fired Jerry but he refused to leave & locked himself in his office, it was on CNN a few days later he got tossed out. Megatech tried to revive the Vector with Lambo power & built a few of these cars but Vector soon died out. Jerry had all sorts of wild claims but I doubt the veracity. The car had a 3 speed auto box & may have made 600hp+ for a short period of time until its twin turbo V8 would explode Andre Agassi had a Vector for a while, his brother said it was a firetrap | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1772 Registered: 10-2002 |
Allan Was that one Lambo Powered or with the earlier engine (Caddy?) | ||
| Randall (Randall)
Member Username: Randall Post Number: 568 Registered: 1-2003 |
It (the Vector) looks like hell from that angle. Allan, When are you moving out to Hawaii? What did you find out about shipping your cars? | ||
| Patrick Denonville (Arizonaguy)
Member Username: Arizonaguy Post Number: 274 Registered: 4-2003 |
How tall are you Allan? | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 617 Registered: 6-2002 |
I drove an early W8 that my friend owned, and it was the biggest pile of crap i ever saw. It was constantly in the shop, and an absolute pig below 100mph. The fit and finish made my Countach feel like a Mercedes, and also i could barely fit in it, yet my Countach was fine. Here is a pic of the two of them.  | ||
| Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Member Username: Deleteall Post Number: 409 Registered: 12-2001 |
Here's a brief history by Mike Sheehan. He didn't mention the outlandish claims regarding performance. Supposedly, Weigart is going to produce them yet again, but considering he used $50 million dollars and got 35 cars built over a 26 year period, I'd want the keys in hand before giving him any money. http://www.ferraris-online.com/Articles/SCM_0004.html | ||
| Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Member Username: Tbakowsky Post Number: 437 Registered: 9-2002 |
What happened to that car anyway? | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Intermediate Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 1160 Registered: 10-2001 |
I have never read any article confirming the 240 mph top speed of the WX3 . | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1769 Registered: 10-2002 |
Not that I'm aware. | ||
| Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Member Username: Deleteall Post Number: 408 Registered: 12-2001 |
Is there any documented evidence of a Vector W3/8 (stock or modified) coming close to the 1000hp or 240 mph top speed they always claimed? I always see reference to it, but they are usually based on factory claims so I've never believed it. |