Vector WX-3
Encyclopedia
The Vector WX-3 is a prototype
automobile
created by Vector Motors of Wilmington, California in 1992. Founder Gerald Wiegert
planned for it to have a range of engines up to a 1000 hp (746 kW) 7.0L DOHC V8 motor, but the full series of engines was never completed. If the top-of-the-line engine had been completed, Vector projected that it could have been fine-tuned to reach speeds at over 250 mph (402 km/h). Instead, the WX-3 used the same Rodeck resleevable turbocharged V8 from the W8
.
The WX-3 cost $1 million to build, and could be considered Wiegert's dream car. Most of the flaws that plagued the W8 were worked out in the WX-3. Wiegert planned for the WX-3 to go in production, but Megatech bought Vector and fired Wiegert. Wiegert initiated several lawsuits and copyrighted the designs, stamping out any hopes of the WX-3 of going to production without his approval. Originally painted silver, the WX-3 Coupe prototype was later re-painted in the teal color it bears today.
Wiegert had also planned a roadster
version of the WX-3, named the WX-3R, which would have shared all its mechanical components with its closed top cousin. Like the model it was based on, the WX-3R did not pass the prototype stage. Both versions were shown at the 1993 Geneva Auto Show.
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
created by Vector Motors of Wilmington, California in 1992. Founder Gerald Wiegert
Gerald Wiegert
Gerald Alden "Jerry" Wiegert is an inventor, entrepreneur, automobile designer, and manufacturer. Born in Detroit, Michigan he created the Vector, a high-performance sports car intended to be America's answer to European cars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche...
planned for it to have a range of engines up to a 1000 hp (746 kW) 7.0L DOHC V8 motor, but the full series of engines was never completed. If the top-of-the-line engine had been completed, Vector projected that it could have been fine-tuned to reach speeds at over 250 mph (402 km/h). Instead, the WX-3 used the same Rodeck resleevable turbocharged V8 from the W8
Vector W8
The Vector W8 was a sports car produced from 1989 to 1993. It was manufactured by Vector Aeromotive, and was designed by Gerald Wiegert and David Kostka...
.
The WX-3 cost $1 million to build, and could be considered Wiegert's dream car. Most of the flaws that plagued the W8 were worked out in the WX-3. Wiegert planned for the WX-3 to go in production, but Megatech bought Vector and fired Wiegert. Wiegert initiated several lawsuits and copyrighted the designs, stamping out any hopes of the WX-3 of going to production without his approval. Originally painted silver, the WX-3 Coupe prototype was later re-painted in the teal color it bears today.
Wiegert had also planned a roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
version of the WX-3, named the WX-3R, which would have shared all its mechanical components with its closed top cousin. Like the model it was based on, the WX-3R did not pass the prototype stage. Both versions were shown at the 1993 Geneva Auto Show.