Spyker - 2005 Spyker C8 Spyder

Spyker C8 Spyder

In the south east of Amsterdam in 1880, two brothers, Jacobus and Hendrik Spijker, set up a coachbuilding shop. They began by building new and improved bodies for the Benz and their work was widely praised as being superior to that of the factory Benz offerings. Buoyed by their success, the Spijker brothers set out to build a motorcar of their own. The cars were called "Spyker" as to not confound those in non-Dutch speaking export markets, and their cars carried on the tradition of fine quality and respectable performance. The bothers also produced several models of aircraft which retained the original family name.

Seventy-five years after the last Spyker car left the factory, the name was revived for an all-new, mid-engine supercar built on a bespoke chassis and powered by an Audi-derived 4.2 liter V8 engine. New bosses Victor Muller and Maarten de Bruijn borrowed heavily from Spyker's aviation heritage to detail the stylish new car, with NACA air inlets, propeller motif badges and even a wild propeller inspired steering wheel for the home market. The body styling was very attractive and unlike anything else on the road. Build quality and engineering excellence rank high at Spyker and the cars are beautifully constructed. Spyker even ventured in to Formula 1 and endurance racing, as a way of solidifying the brand as a genuine supercar maker with real pedigree. The company continues to produce an evolution of the C8 and enjoys a loyal and enthusiastic following.