This 1993 Vector W8 (VIN: 1V9VW2620PW048016) is said to be a one-owner example with 2,100 original miles. The listing says the car is one of 18 remaining in existence (reportedly, 19 — two prototypes and 17 for public sale — were built between 1990 and 1993). There’s little written information offered, but photos show an apparently clean car in condition appropriate to an essentially as-new, little-driven uber-exotic. Find it here at McCormick’s Auctions in Palm Springs, California where it’s scheduled to cross the block Feb. 22.

Designer/founder Gerald Wiegert called his company “Vector Aeromotive” as a reference to the aerospace-derived engineering and construction methods used in his cars. Those included a bonded-aluminum monocoque chassis, 5,000 aircraft-spec rivets, aluminum-honeycomb floor pan and Kevlar and carbon fiber body panels. Silver suits the car well, given its aerospace DNA.

The interior seems to be in very nice condition with only a little wear on the driver’s power Lear seat detracting from an otherwise factory-fresh appearance. The left-side sill is massive and houses a jet-throttle-style gear selector for the 3-speed automatic transmission. A large, orange-on-black mil-spec screen is configurable to display engine and chassis data and also is used as a speedometer and tach in place of conventional analog gauges. We love how the switchgear looks like it could have been cribbed from a long-range bomber or nuclear submarine. The dash shown below is identical to this car’s but (possibly) from a different chassis.

The engine shown here is also from a different car, but all W8’s were powered by the same Chevy 350-based Rodeck race block with twin turbos. Boost was driver-adjustable between 8 and 14 PSI, with advertised power of 650 HP and 649 lb-ft of torque at the 8-lb setting. Despite the well-publicized breakdown of Andre Agassi’s W8, the cars were said to have been designed to last the life of their owner with reasonable maintenance. We’ve heard of replacement windshields costing as much as $20k — fortunately the one fitted to this example looks to be in good shape.

When new, W8’s were a bit disappointing due to their primitive transmission and a general air of unrealized potential, but the passage of time has softened their flaws and enhanced the charms of their truly exotic construction and ambitious aircraft-inspired features. We wish we had the space, funds, and private oil reserves required to give this one a good home.