Jerry Wiegert, founder of Vector Motors and the mind behind the W8 supercar, has passed away at the age of 76, on January 15. No details were made known about his passing.
Gerald Alden “Jerry” Wiegert, born in Dearborn, Michigan in 1944, introduced the Vector W2 concept in 1972 and then spent several years trying to find enough money to put it into production. He wanted to become the nemesis to Ferrari and Lamborghini and he was determined to bring his supercar into production.
The crazy-looking Vector finally entered production in 1989 as the W8, featuring not only a fighter jet-like appearance with scissor doors but a transverse-mounted twin-turbo V8 claiming to produce 625 HP as well. The engine was bolted to a three-speed automatic transmission, which allowed the driver and passenger to share a common footwell inside.