Intro
As covered here on Supercars before, Gerald “Jerry” Wiegert (1944–2021) was an American entrepreneur, engineer, and visionary in the automotive world, best known for creating the Vector W8 supercar. Born in Michigan, Wiegert founded Vehicle Design Force and Vector Motors, aiming to compete with European supercars like Ferrari and Lamborghini.
His bold designs, aerospace-inspired technology, and focus on American engineering set the Vector up for both criticism and praise among sports car aficionados. The W8, powered by a twin-turbo V8, became an icon of 1980s excess despite production challenges. Wiegert’s ambitious projects faced financial difficulties, leading to the company’s decline. Both controversial and innovative, the Vector formed an indelible chapter in American Supercar history.
Highlights
- “1 of 1” Vector Roadster
- Displayed at the 1993 Geneva International Auto Salon alongside Vector WX-3
- Owned by Vector founder Gerald “Jerry” Wiegert from new until 2019
- Original twin-turbo 6.0L all-aluminum V8 engine – 650+ horsepower
- Recent major mechanical freshening of $116,000
- Amethyst purple over grey and purple leather interior
- Created by the makers of the “Original American Supercar”
Background
In the 1990s several daring supercar manufacturers tried to beat Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Porsche. While most of these companies fizzled out or took a traditional approach to building cars, one company sought to upend the supercar market by using exotic space-grade materials, new techniques, exceptional quality standards, and advanced production methods: Vector Aeromotive. Spearheaded by founder Gerald “Jerry” Wiegart, a special blend of West Coast style, European influence, and Detroit production paired with aerospace technologies birthed some of the wildest hand built supercars the world had ever seen.
Limited Production
Vector produced nearly two dozen W8 supercars, attracting high-profile buyers like tennis legend Andre Agassi. Hand-built with meticulous craftsmanship in the European tradition, the W8 featured a 625-horsepower V-8 engine capable of launching the car to 60 mph in just over four seconds—a remarkable feat for its time. With a 12-second quarter-mile, it outperformed rivals such as the Ferrari Testarossa, Lamborghini Countach, and Jaguar XJ220.
Riding on the success of the W8, Vector began work on its next project in 1991. By 1992, the company unveiled the Avtech WX-3 Coupe Prototype at the Geneva International Auto Salon. This silver-clad display model showcased an evolution of the W8’s fighter jet-inspired design, adopting a smoother, more organic aesthetic while emphasizing aerospace technology.
In 1993, Vector returned to Geneva with a completed version of the WX-3 Coupe, now finished in striking Aquamarine, alongside a surprise debut of the WX-3R Roadster in vibrant Amethyst purple. Both models featured scissor doors and Rodeck twin-turbo V-8 engines mounted behind the passenger cabin, exemplifying founder Gerald Wiegert’s dedication to extraordinary design and performance.
Vector’s Director of Manufacturing, Markus Rufer, and Chief Engineer Dave Kostka highlighted the WX-3’s exceptional build quality in several U.S. publications, describing it as “built like a spaceship” using “aerospace-grade materials” and adhering to rigorous aerospace industry standards.
The WX-3R Roadster shared much of its design DNA with the WX-3 Coupe prototype but stood apart with a sleeker and more refined profile. Key to this was an aggressively angled windshield that seamlessly flowed into lightweight side windows, separated by sections of Kevlar composite door skin. Further enhancing its aerodynamic appearance, the roadster featured a lower rear spoiler compared to its coupe counterpart. Inside, the cabin traded the coupe’s three-wide bench seat for snug individual Recaro bucket seats, adding a sportier and more focused feel.
A 6.0-liter all-aluminum Rodeck twin-turbocharged V-8 engine powered the roadster, paired with a heavily modified General Motors Turbo-Hydramatic 425 transmission. This potent combination was claimed to propel the WX-3R to speeds exceeding 200 mph, cementing its place among the fastest roadsters of its era.
$765,000!!!
Despite an ambitious $765,000 price tag announced at its 1993 Geneva debut, neither the WX-3 nor WX-3R advanced beyond the prototype stage. Vector soon faced a hostile takeover by the Indonesian government-backed Megatech. Following a legal battle, company founder Jerry Wiegert retained ownership of the WX-3 designs and prototypes. Megatech later introduced the Lamborghini Diablo-based M12, which borrowed heavily from the WX-3’s design cues but failed to find success in the market or on the racetrack.
For over 25 years, Wiegert retained both prototypes, rarely using them. Interestingly, the WX-3R’s odometer displayed over 89,000 miles—an inflated figure, reported by Chief Engineer Dave Kostka, programmed by Wiegert to showcase reliability during its Geneva debut. However, subsequent restoration efforts strongly suggest the car has seen minimal actual use, further emphasizing its pampered condition.
In 2019 both WX-3 and WX-3R prototypes made their way to a new caretaker after being auctioned by RM Sotheby’s on behalf of Jerry Wiegart himself. Under the new owner’s care, the WX-3R Roadster underwent an extensive $116,000 restoration by Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, Connecticut. This work prioritized mechanical enhancements while also addressing any necessary cosmetic refinements, ensuring the roadster was in peak condition.
The 1993 Vector Avtech WX-3R represents a unique snapshot of American supercar design and development in the early 1990s, pioneered by Jerry Wiegart’s visionary approach from his California operation. Being the singular example of Vector’s roadster, this prototype will add significant cache to a discerning collector looking to bring some American supercar DNA to their collection, as well as turning heads no matter where it goes.
Above content © 2024 Canepa, reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee
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