2008 Spyker C8 Spyder

Model History

If you haven’t heard of the name Spyker, may I suggest a trip down the Wikipedia rabbit hole as the early history from 1898-1925 is fascinating and covers everything from making the Golden Coach for the Dutch royal family, the first six-cylinder engine, Brooklands records and making over 100 aircraft in the First World War.

In 2000 the name Spyker was revived as Spyker Cars by Dutch businessman Victor Muller and designer Maarten de Bruijn. The latter had singlehandedly designed and built a concept car in 1999 called the Spyker Silvestris V8. Using the concept as a basis and Muller’s financial backing the C8 was launched in 2000. Originally offered as a Spyder, a Coupé version was launched a year later in 2001, called the Laviolette. 

Using an aluminium spaceframe chassis with aluminium body panels, the C8 is powered by an Audi sourced 4.2 Litre all-aluminium V8. Tuned to 400bhp and mated to a 6-Speed Getrag transaxle, the C8 was capable of dispatching 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and thunder on to a top speed of 187 mph. Suspension was very advanced being a fully adjustable, double wishbone set up with inboard Koni F1 shock absorbers. Setting nearly the same time as a 996 Gen II GT3 around the Top Gear test track, this was a potent sportscar to say the least. 

The interior was like nothing anyone had seen before, a sea of Connolly leather and turned Aluminium. To enter, one could open the electric scissor doors via a button on the wing mirror, or if you want to impress, by pressing a button on the solid metal key fob. 

Spyker would go on to develop the C8 through various models and not only raced versions at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2002-2010 but had a Formula 1 team in 2007 which would later be sold and become Force India.

Car Offered

This particular Spyker C8 Spyder for sale with Wrightson Automotive was delivered new in May 2008 via Broughtons of Cheltenham who had the Spyker and Koenigsegg franchises at the time. Specified new in Gunmetal Grey with Tropicana, the car is one of just 8 examples believed to have been built in RHD for the UK market. It has had just 3 previous owners and covered only 9,500 miles from new. It features a couple of desirable options including the fabulous propellor steering wheel and the gorgeous ‘Aeroblade’ magnesium alloy wheels, the latter being nearly a £5,000 option!

The car has spent all its life in private collections. Firstly, from new until 2012 when it was owned by a collector in the motor trade. In 2012 it briefly joined a collection in Dorset before being bought by a collector from Bath who kept the car until 2021 at which point the current owner bought the car. He has thoroughly enjoyed the car but a new purchase means it is now surplus to requirement and it is time for a new chapter with a new owner.

As a result of its life in collections the Spyker has been serviced more in line with mileage as opposed to time but crucially, for the next owner, the car went to specialist SuperVettura for a belts (literally) and braces service in December 2022 and has only covered 200 miles since. 

Being such a rare car with such jaw dropping looks and design features, this Spyker will grab the attention of anyone lucky to see it drive by. It would also, no doubt, open the doors to events and shows the likes of which most modern supercars or sports cars would never be considered for.

The car comes complete with a file detailing service/MOT and ownership history, as well as being accompanied by an instruction handbook, a technical manual and some original Spyker sales brochures.

£SOLD