Wikicars - User contributions [en]

File:DCP01716.JPG

2006-08-10T16:48:51Z

Hudsonthedog: Small (60%) version of DCP01716.jpg

Small (60%) version of DCP01716.jpg

User:Hudsonthedog

2006-08-10T16:46:02Z

Hudsonthedog:

'''== Hudson the Dog =='''

In chat areas, I typically go by Hudson...for confidentiality reasons. I am a published and award-winning journalist and photographer ([http://www.impa.org IMPA ]) as well as being a historian ([http://www.autohistory.org Society of Automotive Historians ]) and consultant/analyst, primarily in the automotive field. I am willing to talk to just about anyone on automotive topics.

My automotive specialities include small, post-war automotive manufacturers (especially North American) and exotic car manufacturers worldwide. I have interests and some knowledge of emerging market manufacturers (China, Brazil, India, Iran, etc).

[http://www.carspace.com/hudsonthedog/ Hudson's Carspace page]

[[Image:DCP01716.JPG]]

Vector

2006-08-10T15:47:12Z

Hudsonthedog:

=== History ===
The Vector automobile was created by Gerald Wiegert with the assistance of Lee Brown in 1972. The original Vector made its debut at the 1972 Los Angeles Auto Show; the static design study was said to be the basis of a production car that would be powered by a DOHC Porsche engine.

Vehicle Design Force was formed by Wiegert to build the Vector automobile. In the late 1970s, a road-going version of the show car had been built, now called the Vector W2, and was powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the Chevrolet 350cid small-block V8. The W2, as tested by Car & Driver magazine in 1980, produced a proported 625hp and weighed only 2,400lbs. Production versions would be made available, according to the article, in 1981 for the price of $125,000.

Vehicle Design Force became Vector Aeromotive Corporation in the 1980s. Production finally started for the Vector W8 (a slight modification to the one-off W2) in 1989. The production Vector W8 was powered by a 6.0L OHV 16-valve twin-turbocharged V8 loosely based on the Chevolet small-block and mated to a 3-speed automatic transaxle. A total of 22 Vector W2/W8 (one W2 prototype, four W8 prototypes, and 17 customer cars) models were built before production ended in 1993. Vector announced the production of the Vector Avtech WX3 (said to be available with engines up to a 7.0L DOHC V8 which would produce 1,000hp) at the Geneva Auto Show in 1993, but the car never entered production. Control of the company was taken from Wiegert by the board of directors and Indonesian investors (Megatech) after a well-publicized stand-off.

Vector Aeromotive Corporation moved from its Wilmington, California home to Jacksonville, Florida. Vector shared office space with its corporate cousin Lamborghini (purchased by the same Indonesian investors a few years earlier) and began preparing for production of the Vector M12, an evolution of the Avtech design.

Again, troubles ensued. After less than a year of production, the company shut down the assembly facilities. Vector and Lamborghini were sold (the former to management, the latter to Volkswagen's Audi Group) in 1997. The Vector M12 used a version of the Lamborghini Diablo V12 engine and supplies were cut off when the two companies parted ways. A total of 14 Vector M12s were produced when the Vector SRV8 (powered by a version of the Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 V8) was shown to the press in 1999. Only the prototype SRV8 was produced before the doors were closed on the Florida facility.

After being parted out to various buyers, Vector (the name) has returned to Gerald Wiegert's control. He has stated that he would like to restart production of his dream car, if only investors could be found.

=== Models ===
'''Vector W2''', 1977 - 1 built

'''Vector W8''', 1989-1993 - 4 prototypes, 17 customer cars

[[Vector WX-3]] or '''Vector Avtech WX-3''', 1993 - 2 prototypes (one coupe, one roadster)

'''Vector M12''', 1995-1998 - 4 prototypes, 14 customer cars (one prototype was later used for racing)

'''Vector SRV8''', 1998 - 1 prototype

Vector

2006-08-10T15:46:08Z

Hudsonthedog:

=== History ===
The Vector automobile was created by Gerald Wiegert with the assistance of Lee Brown in 1972. The original Vector made its debut at the 1972 Los Angeles Auto Show; the static design study was said to be the basis of a production car that would be powered by a DOHC Porsche engine.

Vehicle Design Force was formed by Wiegert to build the Vector automobile. In the late 1970s, a road-going version of the show car had been built, now called the Vector W2, and was powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the Chevrolet 350cid small-block V8. The W2, as tested by Car & Driver magazine in 1980, produced a proported 625hp and weighed only 2,400lbs. Production versions would be made available, according to the article, in 1981 for the price of $125,000.

Vehicle Design Force became Vector Aeromotive Corporation in the 1980s. Production finally started for the Vector W8 (a slight modification to the one-off W2) in 1989. The production Vector W8 was powered by a 6.0L OHV 16-valve twin-turbocharged V8 loosely based on the Chevolet small-block and mated to a 3-speed automatic transaxle. A total of 22 Vector W2/W8 (one W2 prototype, four W8 prototypes, and 17 customer cars) models were built before production ended in 1993. Vector announced the production of the Vector Avtech WX3 (said to be available with engines up to a 7.0L DOHC V8 which would produce 1,000hp) at the Geneva Auto Show in 1993, but the car never entered production. Control of the company was taken from Wiegert by the board of directors and Indonesian investors (Megatech) after a well-publicized stand-off.

Vector Aeromotive Corporation moved from its Wilmington, California home to Jacksonville, Florida. Vector shared office space with its corporate cousin Lamborghini (purchased by the same Indonesian investors a few years earlier) and began preparing for production of the Vector M12, an evolution of the Avtech design.

Again, troubles ensued. After less than a year of production, the company shut down the assembly facilities. Vector and Lamborghini were sold (the former to management, the latter to Volkswagen's Audi Group) in 1997. The Vector M12 used a version of the Lamborghini Diablo V12 engine and supplies were cut off when the two companies parted ways. A total of 14 Vector M12s were produced when the Vector SRV8 (powered by a version of the Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 V8) was shown to the press in 1999. Only the prototype SRV8 was produced before the doors were closed on the Florida facility.

After being parted out to various buyers, Vector (the name) has returned to Gerald Wiegert's control. He has stated that he would like to restart production of his dream car, if only investors could be found.

=== Models ===
'''Vector W2''', 1977 - 1 built

'''Vector W8''', 1989-1993 - 4 prototypes, 17 customer cars

[['''Vector WX-3''']] or '''Vector Avtech WX-3''', 1993 - 2 prototypes (one coupe, one roadster)

'''Vector M12''', 1995-1998 - 4 prototypes, 14 customer cars (one prototype was later used for racing)

'''Vector SRV8''', 1998 - 1 prototype

Vector

2006-08-10T15:45:28Z

Hudsonthedog:

=== History ===
The Vector automobile was created by Gerald Wiegert with the assistance of Lee Brown in 1972. The original Vector made its debut at the 1972 Los Angeles Auto Show; the static design study was said to be the basis of a production car that would be powered by a DOHC Porsche engine.

Vehicle Design Force was formed by Wiegert to build the Vector automobile. In the late 1970s, a road-going version of the show car had been built, now called the Vector W2, and was powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the Chevrolet 350cid small-block V8. The W2, as tested by Car & Driver magazine in 1980, produced a proported 625hp and weighed only 2,400lbs. Production versions would be made available, according to the article, in 1981 for the price of $125,000.

Vehicle Design Force became Vector Aeromotive Corporation in the 1980s. Production finally started for the Vector W8 (a slight modification to the one-off W2) in 1989. The production Vector W8 was powered by a 6.0L OHV 16-valve twin-turbocharged V8 loosely based on the Chevolet small-block and mated to a 3-speed automatic transaxle. A total of 22 Vector W2/W8 (one W2 prototype, four W8 prototypes, and 17 customer cars) models were built before production ended in 1993. Vector announced the production of the Vector Avtech WX3 (said to be available with engines up to a 7.0L DOHC V8 which would produce 1,000hp) at the Geneva Auto Show in 1993, but the car never entered production. Control of the company was taken from Wiegert by the board of directors and Indonesian investors (Megatech) after a well-publicized stand-off.

Vector Aeromotive Corporation moved from its Wilmington, California home to Jacksonville, Florida. Vector shared office space with its corporate cousin Lamborghini (purchased by the same Indonesian investors a few years earlier) and began preparing for production of the Vector M12, an evolution of the Avtech design.

Again, troubles ensued. After less than a year of production, the company shut down the assembly facilities. Vector and Lamborghini were sold (the former to management, the latter to Volkswagen's Audi Group) in 1997. The Vector M12 used a version of the Lamborghini Diablo V12 engine and supplies were cut off when the two companies parted ways. A total of 14 Vector M12s were produced when the Vector SRV8 (powered by a version of the Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 V8) was shown to the press in 1999. Only the prototype SRV8 was produced before the doors were closed on the Florida facility.

After being parted out to various buyers, Vector (the name) has returned to Gerald Wiegert's control. He has stated that he would like to restart production of his dream car, if only investors could be found.

=== Models ===
'''Vector W2''', 1977 - 1 built

'''Vector W8''', 1989-1993 - 4 prototypes, 17 customer cars

[['''Vector WX3''']] or '''Vector Avtech WX3''', 1993 - 2 prototypes (one coupe, one roadster)

'''Vector M12''', 1995-1998 - 4 prototypes, 14 customer cars (one prototype was later used for racing)

'''Vector SRV8''', 1998 - 1 prototype

Iran Khodro

2006-08-08T18:00:03Z

Hudsonthedog:

== History ==

Iran National Factories, also known as Iran Khodro, was founded in August of 1962. The company attempted to produce various Fiat products, with no success. After debuting a new concept on August 17, 1962, the company was licensed to build the Hillman Hunter and created the Paykan, which entered production in 1967. Hillman, part of the Rootes Group was purchased by Chrysler and later taken over by Peugeot. In 1985 Iran Khodro purchased the equipment necessary to produce the Paykan, but Peugeot continued to supply engines from its 504 model.

Production operated at a pace of 6,000 units a year from 1967. Production capacity is now running at 120,000 units per year with 98% of the parts supplied by Iranian companies.

The Paykan was due to be replaced in the late 1970s when the Islamic revolution occurred and the international investment necessary disappeared.

The Peugeot 405 started production on November 30, 1990, and the 405-based Peugeot RD was added to the lineup in 1997. The Peugeot 405-based PARS was added in February 1999.

In an agreement with Peugeot, Iran Khodro began producing the Peugeot 206 in October 2001, at a rate of 120,000 units a year for ten years. A minimum of 65% of domestic (Iranian) content.

In 1996, it was decided to redesign the ancient Paykan 1600. Codenamed X7, the Samand was the culmination of this program. With the assistance of Peugeot, among others, Iran Khodro launched the Samand in late 2001. Production is slated to start at 5,000 units per year rising to “over 200,000 units within five years.”

Vector

2006-08-08T17:54:56Z

Hudsonthedog:

=== History ===
The Vector automobile was created by Gerald Wiegert with the assistance of Lee Brown in 1972. The original Vector made its debut at the 1973 Los Angeles Auto Show; the static design study was said to be the basis of a production car that would be powered by a DOHC Porsche engine.

Vehicle Design Force was formed by Wiegert to build the Vector automobile. In the late 1970s, a road-going version of the show car had been built, now called the Vector W2, and was powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the Chevrolet 350cid small-block V8. The W2, as tested by Car & Driver magazine in 1980, produced a proported 625hp and weighed only 2,400lbs. Production versions would be made available, according to the article, in 1981 for the price of $125,000.

Vehicle Design Force became Vector Aeromotive Corporation in the 1980s. Production finally started for the Vector W8 (a slight modification to the one-off W2) in 1989. The production Vector W8 was powered by a 6.0L OHV 16-valve twin-turbocharged V8 loosely based on the Chevolet small-block and mated to a 3-speed automatic transaxle. A total of 22 Vector W2/W8 (one W2 prototype, four W8 prototypes, and 17 customer cars) models were built before production ended in 1993. Vector announced the production of the Vector Avtech WX3 (said to be available with engines up to a 7.0L DOHC V8 which would produce 1,000hp) at the Geneva Auto Show in 1993, but the car never entered production. Control of the company was taken from Wiegert by the board of directors and Indonesian investors (Megatech) after a well-publicized stand-off.

Vector Aeromotive Corporation moved from its Wilmington, California home to Jacksonville, Florida. Vector shared office space with its corporate cousin Lamborghini (purchased by the same Indonesian investors a few years earlier) and began preparing for production of the Vector M12, an evolution of the Avtech design.

Again, troubles ensued. After less than a year of production, the company shut down the assembly facilities. Vector and Lamborghini were sold (the former to management, the latter to Volkswagen's Audi Group) in 1997. The Vector M12 used a version of the Lamborghini Diablo V12 engine and supplies were cut off when the two companies parted ways. A total of 14 Vector M12s were produced when the Vector SRV8 (powered by a version of the Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 V8) was shown to the press in 1999. Only the prototype SRV8 was produced before the doors were closed on the Florida facility.

After being parted out to various buyers, Vector (the name) has returned to Gerald Wiegert's control. He has stated that he would like to restart production of his dream car, if only investors could be found.

=== Models ===
'''Vector W2''', 1977 - 1 built

'''Vector W8''', 1989-1993 - 4 prototypes, 17 customer cars

'''Vector Avtech WX3''', 1993 - 2 prototypes (one coupe, one roadster)

'''Vector M12''', 1995-1998 - 4 prototypes, 14 customer cars (one prototype was later used for racing)

'''Vector SRV8''', 1998 - 1 prototype

Vector

2006-08-08T17:54:31Z

Hudsonthedog:

=== History ===
The Vector automobile was created by Gerald Wiegert with the assistance of Lee Brown in 1972. The original Vector made its debut at the 1973 Los Angeles Auto Show; the static design study was said to be the basis of a production car that would be powered by a DOHC Porsche engine.

Vehicle Design Force was formed by Wiegert to build the Vector automobile. In the late 1970s, a road-going version of the show car had been built, now called the Vector W2, and was powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the Chevrolet 350cid small-block V8. The W2, as tested by Car & Driver magazine in 1980, produced a proported 625hp and weighed only 2,400lbs. Production versions would be made available, according to the article, in 1981 for the price of $125,000.

Vehicle Design Force became Vector Aeromotive Corporation in the 1980s. Production finally started for the Vector W8 (a slight modification to the one-off W2) in 1989. The production Vector W8 was powered by a 6.0L OHV 16-valve twin-turbocharged V8 loosely based on the Chevolet small-block and mated to a 3-speed automatic transaxle. A total of 22 Vector W2/W8 (one W2 prototype, four W8 prototypes, and 17 customer cars) models were built before production ended in 1993. Vector announced the production of the Vector Avtech WX3 (said to be available with engines up to a 7.0L DOHC V8 which would produce 1,000hp) at the Geneva Auto Show in 1993, but the car never entered production. Control of the company was taken from Wiegert by the board of directors and Indonesian investors (Megatech) after a well-publicized stand-off.

Vector Aeromotive Corporation moved from its Wilmington, California home to Jacksonville, Florida. Vector shared office space with its corporate cousin Lamborghini (purchased by the same Indonesian investors a few years earlier) and began preparing for production of the Vector M12, an evolution of the Avtech design.

Again, troubles ensued. After less than a year of production, the company shut down the assembly facilities. Vector and Lamborghini were sold (the former to management, the latter to Volkswagen's Audi Group) in 1997. The Vector M12 used a version of the Lamborghini Diablo V12 engine and supplies were cut off when the two companies parted ways. A total of 14 Vector M12s were produced when the Vector SRV8 (powered by a version of the Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 V8) was shown to the press in 1999. Only the prototype SRV8 was produced before the doors were closed on the Florida facility.

After being parted out to various buyers, Vector (the name) has returned to Gerald Wiegert's control. He has stated that he would like to restart production of his dream car, if only investors could be found.

=== Models ===
'''Vector W2''', 1977 - 1 built
'''Vector W8''', 1989-1993 - 4 prototypes, 17 customer cars
'''Vector Avtech WX3''', 1993 - 2 prototypes (one coupe, one roadster)
'''Vector M12''', 1995-1998 - 4 prototypes, 14 customer cars (one prototype was later used for racing)
'''Vector SRV8''', 1998 - 1 prototype

Vector

2006-08-08T17:34:23Z

Hudsonthedog:

The Vector automobile was created by Gerald Wiegert with the assistance of Lee Brown in 1972. The original Vector made its debut at the 1973 Los Angeles Auto Show; the static design study was said to be the basis of a production car that would be powered by a DOHC Porsche engine.

Vehicle Design Force was formed by Wiegert to build the Vector automobile. In the late 1970s, a road-going version of the show car had been built, now called the Vector W2, and was powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the Chevrolet 350cid small-block V8. The W2, as tested by Car & Driver magazine in 1980, produced a proported 625hp and weighed only 2,400lbs. Production versions would be made available, according to the article, in 1981 for the price of $125,000.

Vehicle Design Force became Vector Aeromotive Corporation in the 1980s. Production finally started for the Vector W8 (a slight modification to the one-off W2) in 1989. The production Vector W8 was powered by a 6.0L OHV 16-valve twin-turbocharged V8 loosely based on the Chevolet small-block and mated to a 3-speed automatic transaxle. A total of 22 Vector W2/W8 (one W2 prototype, four W8 prototypes, and 17 customer cars) models were built before production ended in 1993. Vector announced the production of the Vector Avtech WX3 (said to be available with engines up to a 7.0L DOHC V8 which would produce 1,000hp) at the Geneva Auto Show in 1993, but the car never entered production. Control of the company was taken from Wiegert by the board of directors and Indonesian investors (Megatech) after a well-publicized stand-off.

Vector Aeromotive Corporation moved from its Wilmington, California home to Jacksonville, Florida. Vector shared office space with its corporate cousin Lamborghini (purchased by the same Indonesian investors a few years earlier) and began preparing for production of the Vector M12, an evolution of the Avtech design.

Again, troubles ensued. After less than a year of production, the company shut down the assembly facilities. Vector and Lamborghini were sold (the former to management, the latter to Volkswagen's Audi Group) in 1997. The Vector M12 used a version of the Lamborghini Diablo V12 engine and supplies were cut off when the two companies parted ways. A total of 14 Vector M12s were produced when the Vector SRV8 (powered by a version of the Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 V8) was shown to the press in 1999. Only the prototype SRV8 was produced before the doors were closed on the Florida facility.

After being parted out to various buyers, Vector (the name) has returned to Gerald Wiegert's control. He has stated that he would like to restart production of his dream car, if only investors could be found.

Vector WX-3

2006-08-03T14:13:34Z

Hudsonthedog:

The Vector WX-3 was a concept car introduced by the Vector Aeromotive Corporation in 1993. The WX-3 was shown in two forms, coupe and convertible and power was to come from a variety of V8 engine including a 7.0L 32-valve twin-turbo version producing a proported 1,000hp. No production versions were ever built and actual performance numbers were never officially proven.