Vector WX-3

The Vector A Avtech) WX-3 is a prototype supercar i.e. ultra high performance sports car automobile engineered, created, and constructed by American Vector Motors of Wilmington, California in 1992. Conceived by Vector Motors founder and chief engineer designer Gerald Wiegert as a successor to the W8, plans for it were to have a range of engines ranging from 700 up to a 1200 hp (746 kW) from a propriety 7.0L DOHC V8 motor.[1].

The AWX-3 coupe was an evolved version of the W8, and could be considered Wiegert's dream car.[2] Wiegert planned for the AWX-3 to go in production, but Megatech hostilely took over Vector and fired Wiegert thus thwarting the car going into production. Wiegert initiated several lawsuits and copyrighted the designs, stamping out any hopes of the AWX-3 of going to production without his approval. Originally painted silver, the AWX-3 Coupe prototype was later re-painted in the teal color it bears today. It is powered by the same engine configuration as the W8 prototypes, a better flowing dual plenum and throttle-body intake tract rather than the 'EPA friendly' Corvette based system utilized on the W8 production cars. At high boost levels it is capable of developing 1,200 hp. From the block to all of the internals, like every Vector of Weigert's, it was built with only the highest quality, cutting edge materials and components which were handmade and hand assembled.

Wiegert had also planned a roadster version of the AWX-3, named the AWX-3R, which would have shared all its mechanical components with its closed top cousin. Like the model it was based on, the AWX3R did not pass the prototype stage. Both versions were shown at the 1993 Geneva Auto Show.

The teal WX-3 also has the three-across seating arrangement that was an option on W8 export models. It can be seen on the road and at the occasional 'cars 'n coffee' Sunday impromptu shows around the Los Angeles area where it always attracts a crowd of enthused onlookers.

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBc9uPnyK3k
  2. Vector Avtech WX3 - TopSpeed, 17 May 2007

See also


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