The more niche the automotive market, the fewer brands are available, and in the world of supercars and exotics, the segment gets even smaller. There are, of course, the mainstream exotics like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and McLaren, and even some models are well known enough even non-enthusiasts will know of them. But for those who want to stand out, boutique automakers can provide the solution, even in the exotics segment, and a prime example was Spyker and its C8 Spyder. With its Audi-sourced V-8 engine, unique styling, and elusive status, the Spyker C8 might be the coolest car you’ve never heard of.
Spyker Has Serious Performance History
Spyker has been around since the early twentieth century and competed in some of the most grueling endurance races ever before they initially disappeared shortly after the first World War. In 2000, the new Spyker C8 debuted with radical bodywork and powerful engines while still holding on to the racing and performance aircraft work the brand had done in the past. The car pays homage to the original brand’s goals and works with aerospace influenced designs in the steering wheel, badge, and some other features throughout the car, making it one of the most elegant cars in decades. Being the only Dutch exotic car manufacturer, the eccentricity of the car only adds to its appeal.
The Spyker’s Interior Blends Aircraft And Supercar Seamlessly
The interior of the C8 Spyder is filled with diamond-stitch leather and swathes of aluminum that would look at home in a 1950s or 1960s cruiser. The near art deco interior styling is similar to the Pagani Zonda and the new Utopia’s interior, but the four-spoke steering wheel is the most unique interior feature. The massive steering wheel would look appropriate in a luxury yacht but is a little too large for the compact looks of the car’s fitments. The roofline of the car keeps the looks sleek and low slung. Even by today’s standards, the C8’s interior is luxurious and exotic.
Spyker’s C8 Spyder Looks Unique And Shows Serious Racing Pedigree
The exterior is even more impressive because no car since has looked even close to the C8 Spyder. While the 4.2 liter, 400-horsepower engine came from Audi, the rest of the car is entirely Spyker. The aluminum spaceframe construction allows the car to be light and also helps with make the designs flow more easily. The wide front grille and the aeroblade center locking wheels pay homage to the brand’s racing heritage while the dual caliper brakes were designed to as efficient and performance-oriented as possible.
The Spyker C8 Spyder Is Incredibly Rare
Just 121 C8 Spyders were manufactured, upping its desirability factor. As such, opportunities to purchase a striking Spyker are rare, but RM Sotheby’s will give those with deep pockets the opportunity at its upcoming Arizona 2023 auction. The model that will hit the auction block is one of just four to feature eye-catching yellow paint and black upholstery. C8 Spyders recently have sold for about $350,000 to $400,000, and for collectors, they are advantageous in that most don’t have many miles on the clock. At nearly the same price as an Aventador, the C8 Spyder is for someone who wants an incredibly unique, obscure, and analog supercar that will always get attention.