I worked with Jerry personally in the early 00's and while i was aware of his deeper problems i really looked up to his vision and ambitions. I wish i could have had a better impact to help that vision come to light. Very patriotic.
I think that it’s great that you were able to get to know him. My brother met him at a Detroit Auto Show and took a pic with him twenty five years ago.
@@the.squidd After you talk shit about him for 30 minutes! And btw the transmission was a turbo 400 that was also used in some lambos, or was it Ferrari (?) and countless thousands of race cars! You should have more car knowledge if you're going to speak in such a snarky tone.
@@SuzukiJim Yeah, they are great story tellers, but I have noticed a pattern to bend the truth somewhat. They could have kept the snark, but mentioned the other cars before emphasis on "motorhome".
Growing up in Europe in the 70's and 80's, Vector/Wiegert were absolutely at the top in my mind, even above Ferrari and Lambo, because they made the Battlestar Galactica with wheels and it was so out of this world it made European supercars look pedestrian in comparison.
I really appreciated how most of the footage was actually out of the 70's, not only that but exactly related to what he's talking about instead of stock footage, it must be hard to do, really appreciate it.
@@Ar1AnX1x it is quite difficult sometimes. Luckily Jerry put out a few promo videos and was interviewed a few times on the news so we had some stuff to work with. We even hired a guy to record some Assetto Corsa footage for us for the intro.
Jerry is the example of why you need people to tell you what NOT to do, such a visionary, but clearly so full of himself, that in the end, he was left all alone.
John Romero from Id Software and Ion Storm would in his younger days fit the definition of a prototype for the tech bro, reading about the weird publicity stunts he pulled back in the 1990's I am instantly reminded of Elon Musk's today. The difference is that Romero seems to have learned from his mistakes in a way I don't think Weigert ever did and it seems extremely unlikely Musk will as far as the foreseeable future. @@dank_tomatoes1165
@arthurtoscano723 Nah man, you know how squidd's vids go through the people behind and development history of the cars? That's what I want, I already know a fair bit about the actual car itself, (Also how did they get an R390 to review, there are like 2 of those things in the world)
If it wasn't for a little game called Gran Turismo 2, I never would've identified this insane-looking car I spotted in the Bay Area. The car company I really wanted to succeed.
It's a well-known fact that Polyphony Digital only put Vector in GT2 (then Cizeta in GT4) because they couldn't have Lamborghini's license. Since the M12 was a Diablo kit-car, it was the closest substitute to the real deal they could get. Same reason they got Venturi & RUF to fill in for Ferrari & Porsche respectively.
It was and still is a piece of crap. We have never seen an actual testing of this car, all we had ever seen was silly commercials. It was all hype and nothing more.
I have actually seen one of these W8s in person and I believe the guy still has it and lives not too far from me. They are absolute works of art and one of the most interesting cars I have ever seen. Thank you for making this documentary and sharing Jerry's dream with everyone who hasn't seen one before.
Are you 100% certain it’s a vector and not some kit car? There are 20 in the entire world. Chances it is a real vector is slim. But possible. There are just so many kit cars that look like that. Story sounds legit. It’s like the lottery if u seen one
I was watching this video thinking it was a weird looking Countach, then, my father walked behind me and saw what I was watching and immediately exclaimed (in french): "WOOOWWW, the Vector, I definitely had a poster of it back when I was young. Son, this one's a classic!"
This was my bedroom poster car when I was 7 and on. I couldn't understand why it wasn't more popular and well known. As soon as I saw a picture of it I was in love!
Some people will probably get mad at this comparison, but I couldn't help but think of all the parallels to the story of Steve Jobs and Apple early on. A visionary dreamer who couldn't get along with anybody, frustrated with the media, lawsuits, losing an intelligent key partner, and even a forced exit (sure you could argue the word "forced" with Jobs). Crazy how one company literally took over the world and the other was never heard from again. RIP Mr. Wiegert, and great job as always Squidd and team.
One of my all-time faves....the W8 was really insane...its earlier prototype/sister W2 was the most extreme auto in 1978...real aerospace tech for the street !!!
I heard of Vector back in the early 90s, I was around 5-6 years old in Mexico when my mom bought me a purple WX3 Hot Wheels car. Still got it, of course.
I had a chance to see a Vector in person (The silver one that Dak gets into on Motortrend's Top gear, seen in the video) when it was in Sacramento. The fit and finish is amazing, which really surprised me. They are so notoriously unreliable I thought they would be crap, but they seem really well built. It's a shame we didn't get to see Vector evolve. I think it's a much more interesting core philosophy in comparison to Saleen or Hennessey.
yeah every review ive read or seen on it says its surprisingly well built, outside of the engine bay. i think perhaps his vision of winning by having the bigger numbers, rather than just a beautiful well functioning car are his ultimate downfall.
@@jakebower2515 Nearby, but the episode was filmed in Old Sac. Sacramento has a really good auto museum though, they take the cars out and make sure they are all runners, even the rare stuff like the early AC Cobra and the Rolls Silver Arrow
What's interesting is the Vector was probably the only vehicle in the world that had a real aircraft hour meter installed on its dashboard. I'd love to drive one. It is the first supercar I have ever seen or heard about.
Very cool car, and one that honestly doesn’t look all that dated today. In an alternate timeline, I feel like Vector would be known as a serious competitor
@@the.squidd That and maybe if he found a partner that he could trust that would've been able to handle the business and public relations side of things. It saddens me that we were so close to something so amazing, and it just never got off the ground for real.
@@drkilledbydeath87 Apart from that.. it was about the worst car ever built.. It looked Ok, but it was too heavy, the engine underpowered, the FuelCap under the front Hood..and not a discrete Fueldoor on the wings, then add the Gassprings that were too weak for the heavy doors, Low Topspeed.. nah.. it was all bark but no bite... and underneath that Stainless steel body, they would rust like the clappers..
The Vector W8 was one hell of a car. It was beautiful, sleek, and the true definition of futuristic. I can safely say that it looked so much more beautiful than the first Countach. But alas, fate and he himself had been cruel and killed all signs of it's rise to the ranks. You told his story in such a beautiful way that I have gained quite some respect for tbe man behind the production of this sharp, brutal beauty. Thank you!
Is everyone in this comment section on some copium crack ? The W8 is absolutely hideous and looks better than WHAT ? Are you nuts the Gen 1 Countach is the epitome of downright gorgeous, to compare this droopy mirrored hideous wedge to that is INSANE.
@@samueljones3668It's quite insane isn't it? To say that Jerry is a better car designer than Marcello Gandini is like saying Stockton Rush is a better submarine designer than General Dynamics. Hell, the W8 makes even an Isdera Imperator look decent.
I'm of the lucky ones, who saw a black W8 in real life a few years ago. I know Vector since my childhood playing Gran Turismo 2 then, where the W8 and the M12 were included. And I always loved Vector. So you can imagine what is like to see a supercar, which is so rare, that you only can dream of seeing it once in your lifetime and then it stands right in front of you. I couldn't stop watching to it. It was so flat and wide and beautiful, oh my god... Thank you for another good automitive story. I like your stuff and how you bring it across.
I finally saw a Vector in person at Hagerty in Traverse City years ago, there was a huge crowd around it, and I wondered how many people truly appreciated what they were seeing.
That intro was intense, I thought I clicked on a Nexpo video. The Squidd's voice is so versatile and has so much range and emotion that he changed the entire atmosphere of a car video.
I remember as a kid I owned a book of supercars that had the WX8 as one of the final cars in the book and I remember even now how cool that car was to me. Matte Black SR-71 Blackbird on wheels. I couldn't have cared less if it worked. The idea of it was so profoundly cool to me. One of the first "bedroom poster" cars for me. Say what you want about Jerry, but the guy was certainly a visionary who deserves to be remembered for his badass cars and will to succeed..
I am so glad I finally got to see a Vector in person this year. Simply awe inspiring. If anyone is ANYWHERE near Hickory Corners Michigan, I 200% urge you to RUN to Gilmore Car Museum, as they have a temporary "Supercars: Then and Now" display in their main concourse, and it features a W8.
And, as a history teacher I admire the richness an depth of the info not only on the car, but more so on Jerry and the "Pacemakers" (Suharto and the rest)
One of my primary missions as a history teacher was always to spend time on great historical characters personal/professional flaws to show students that statues do not make perfect and that greatness exists in a lot more people then we know but only on display when tested....it was more fun too.....@@the.squidd
I've known about Jerry and the Vector company for years. Would have loved to see some of more of his "ideas", like the exterior folding in rear view mirrors and the see through the fog (was it radar?) systems and such. Good video! Really appreciated it.👍
Perhaps one of the weirdest claims Wiegert made about the Vector was his (alleged) statement of it being faster around a track than “any Le Mans car” upon being asked about Ferrari’s effort to send the F40 racing. This was the late 80s & early 90s, and “any Le Mans car” included the Group C cars, which were setting lap records comparable to F1 cars. There’s a certain Brazilian man who just so happened to be racing in F1 with Lotus & Mclaren at the time as well. Essentially, whether intentionally or not, Jerry Wiegert effectively claimed the W8, a street legal car, would be faster around a track than AYRTON FUCKING SENNA.
@@the.squidd Yeah, I feel like with a better marketing team & smarter management Vector could have easily made a bigger impact on the American supercar scene the way Mosler & Saleen did. The incredible ambition & unique car design was there. Part of me kinda wishes someone buys the Vector brand & gives it the revival it deserves. Perhaps a mid-engined lightweight supercar with a GM-sourced V8 (Supercharged LS anyone?) for the sake of tradition. A proper rival for the Ford GT & C8 Z06/ZR1 corvette. Of course the fighter jet influence would need to remain as well.
There was a WX3 on display at the Riverside Car Museum in Southern California I saw back in 2012 (haven’t checked if it is still there) but the curator shared a piece of information that showed the struggle of the failing company: The WX3 that was displayed at auto shows would get painted in between shows in a different color, making it appear as if there were multiple cars made.
no, there was no WX3 at the Riverside museum. The Riverside museum had the black M12, chassis 012 with red interior, formerly owned by Prince Jeffry of Brunei.
@@vectorfiles it’s been years… but thank you for clarifying, i vaguely remember the curator saying it was a Lamborghini chassis so I just assumed it was the WX3!
I figured out where I goofed after doing a little research: the M12 had the Lamborghini motor, not it being the Diablo chassis! It’s all coming back to me now.
The W2 is still around. Saw it a few months back. Helped move it out of the garage it was stored in back in 2021ish. I became the next tenant of that garage, and built my c10 in it!
Sorry for not commenting on the subject of the video here, but I just want to say that this video is so eloquently written, well performed, and feels professionally edited. I watch a ton of TH-cam and feel like good skills should be called out and celebrated. Well done, you.
As a super we enthusiast and an 80s kid, my freaking head exploded when I saw a doc on the same Vector W2 I had a poster of back in 1981 beside the SR-71 Blackbird right next to it! Top.Drawer.Content!
I love how wild Jerry was and love his car's looks, so ahead of it's time and luckily we can try it on granturismo 2. It's a shame it never worked out but its a big lesson for others
This story was expertly told as usual. I remember watching the W8 Doug DeMuro video and it became my favorite Doug video of all time. These Vector cars are absolutely insane and I love absolutely everything about them.
As an Indonesian, the name of Tommy Suharto has always has been, shrouded in infamy. Along with their family name. But to think he is also part of the downfall of Vector, but somehow is also a part to Lamborghini's survival is mindblowing to me.
Hey, just saying, megatech was not responsible for Lamborghini's survival. They were about to kill Lamborghini. The M12, he forgot to mention, shared the Diablo's V12. They made the flagship lambo of the era non bespoke. A complete tragedy, and it didn't stop there, with the Diablo's chassis being parted to the cizeta v16t (also known for having double popups). What saved our company (look at my username as why I say this) was Audi. The best Lamborghini has ever been treated, even better than when they were an independent company. Audi has given more to Lamborghini that anyone else ever did, Chrysler, megatech or anyone else. This was Lamborghini's darkest time. Looks like Tommy was even worse than just ruining vector.
@@a-lambo-boi i'm not surprised if you told me that 😂 That's even make more sense since Tommy is just a businessman at heart. Often his money goes to political will. 😂
@@a-lambo-boi Tommy's Father was a dictator named Soeharto. Soeharto decide to gave up his position in 1998 due to public pressure. Then Soeharto passed away in 2008. Indonesia is so much better today, no longer experience economy crisis.. Thank God...
It's a great day when I open TH-cam and a new SQUIDD video is on my homepage. Thanks again for another phenomenal documentary. I knew of Vector and a few of their cars, but never the story of the company and Jerry.
Man I completely forgot about the Vector till now. I so remember all the posters, magazine covers and even that Agassi fiasco all through the late 80s and early 90s, that car with the hottest models. Then the flashbacks.... when everyone was thinking that was the most basass car ever made. So nice to have the story told of being so close to legendary success being so ahead of it's time to only fail. At least there are a few still around as a shining example. I hope their value is astronomical. R.I.P. Jerry Wiegert you still left your mark in automotive history.
totally agree, and a good observation. Jobs/Wozniak worked very well, because their skill sets, although different, complemented each other very well. Wozniak was such a solid guy, Jobs less so.
I was poking around and Emailed Gerry, looking to join his adventure as a Fabricator about four months before he died. He said,”Let me get back with you in two weeks.” May he Rest In Peace.
With every video you put the ribbon higher and higher you're trully a storyteller, congrats man 🎉 I've knew Vector from Gran Turismo 2 it was featured a M 12 wich it was a really nice car to play with and it was. W 8 as well. Keep up the the amazing work Your mexican fan here 🇲🇽
32:36 thats me behind the wheel of the WX8 in the early 00's we were towing it around the block with a forklift. If you look closely you will see the strap coming out the front bumper.
Yeah another commenter said Jerry liked to see what the car looked like in different lighting scenarios so they towed the WX8 around at different times of day. What a wild machine and an interesting designer. Luck you getting to at least sit in it!
Hey man, I know that I am commenting on a 2 month old video and I’m sure you have other plans in the works, but I would love to see a video about Mosler. Thank you for consistently putting out incredible content :)
Dang I just stumbled upon this channel. That retro intro was AWESOME! So nostalgic and vibe-inducing. Edit: If Jerry grew his hair out and dyed it blonde, he could cosplay as Dave Mustaine
I was (and still am) a massive fan of the Vector. I remember seeing ads for it in The Robb Report magazine. I hope to see one some day. I wish he made more cars, and was still in business. Thank you.
When you have a person that thinks this creatively they always have a bit of crazy to them. Jerry just needed to snag a team to help him to drive this forward. Great story I remember the Vector. Never knew what happened to it.
Oh Jerry! I met him several times. His shop then was a half block off W. Washington Blvd (now Abbot Kinney) in a small shop across the street from "The Haunted House" , a motorcycle clubs headquarters. A friend took me there because he needed some art or artwork of some type, can't recall exactly what, but he was weird, and very guarded, leery of letting anyone into the shop even. I Also ran into him at an exhibit at the Convention center in L.A. ether the Futrama Exibition or a Auto Shop, can't recall that exactly either. What I do recall was that it was common knowledge with the locals that Jerry only had 1 Vector. But he would paint it different colors and drive it around so it looked like there were more then there actually were. We laughed about that. I also sat in the car, can't remember which version it actually was but it had a Emerson Fitapaldi steering wheel with a sort of cheap cover disguising the fact. I called him on it and he got sort of ticked off and told me to get out of the car. I also remember that in the beginning innthat little shop he wasn't using an RV transmission, he was using a unit from an Oldsmobile Torenado but I don't remember which engine it had. Ahh, what memories, thanks for that, so many chuckles people were looking at me.
Maybe once you will make a video about Saleen S7? By the way - very cool channel. I discovered it yesteday, today I watched two more videos from you and I subscribed. Keep doing the great job
Dude no way thank you sooo much😭, I first heard of this car on a card game called "super triunfo" I remember comparing it to the testarosa which was also in that game and seeing how it completely obliterated the top speed of the testarosa, 320kmh compared to the 384kmh of the W2, I never saw such a passionate video talking about this beautiful car. I always thought this and the Pantera are complete forgotten beasts that broke record at their times. ❤
Haha that's so funny, I think that game is called "top trumps" in the UK? Yeah the proclaimed numbers of the Vector were wild, I have yet to find any information verifying any of it was true though...
Damn! I have seen many videos about the Vector… but watching video I have already pressed pause one minute into it just to breathe … given me the chills that 1978 sequence…
I ended up at Jerry's house in Beverly Hills, he hosted a Model Party about November 2002. I was driving my Pantera, and he let the security open his gate and allowed me to park in the driveway next to his newest proto type open top Vector. Donald Trump showed up that night and it was an awesome party. But the ultimate time was him sharing the future planned design of his Vector. Apparently he tried to retool but it never came to fruition.
Spoke with whom I assume was Weigert at the Long beach Grand Prix in the late 1980's and sat in this thing there. He was impressed that I knew so much about the car he offered to let me come to the shop in Wilmington CA and drive it. Never took him up on the offer sadly enough.. Saw a red one driving around Long Beach a time or two as well. Huge potential...
He had a good idea but just when he got investments, instead of focusing on finishing cars that already had customers and further developing the Vector, he went overboard and was voted out of his company in a corporate takeover. I met him when he brought the W8 to the New York Auto Show. RIP 1944 - 2021
Vector made cars so futuristic they are still being talked about today. This story is a cautionary tale to any automotive designer. Have a dream but keep it simple. All the technical and performance feats are only as amazing if they work and you can prove it. I've seen high speed claims questioned only for the automaker to become defensive and blame the speed testing company for their numbers.
Or have the backing of multiple mulit-millionares like Gordon Murray did, or have an incredibly strong understanding of your product, like Pagani, or eat a ton of fried chicken, like Koenigsegg.
absolutely. If he had just made the damn car, not bragged about numbers, and been nicer to journalists, we'd all be drooling over the 2023 Vector W16 right now.
@the.squidd - Would have been interesting to have talked to people there who were there with the automotive journalists to find out what happened. Instead you make assumptions. Not like it was all roses and glitter perfection. Someone you should have spoken to is the VP of engineering for Vector - the man who made the dream a reality.
@@HotMetalVideos I feel like the video makes it pretty clear that it wasn't "roses and glitter" - most the journalists are more than happy to talk about what happened. Car and Driver especially, Csaba has extensive notes that he freely shares. As for talking specifically to Kostka, there just isn't really any reason. He's not the main character of the story being told. While his cost saving and engineering ideas are fascinating, ultimately his time at Vector was very short compared to the entire saga.
@@DumbAngelDragon are you serious? David was there basically the entire time. Weigart passed away, and David carries the Vector legacy. "No reason to speak to him" but lots of reasons to speak to Casaba" what a joke!
Jerry was a legend and a genuine car enthusiast. It is utterly sad that he was not recognized for his truly superordinary endeavors. At least Vector W8 will go down in history as an innovative revolution. RIP Jerry.
This kind of reminds me of the story of the McLaren F1, but it's the total opposite. Instead of the brilliance, determination, and expertise of Gordon Murray, we see the hubris, stubbornness, and incompetence of Jerry Wiegert. Truly a captivating story.
Ha Vector, I remember seeing one of their cars in Gran Turismo M12 I think it was. Always looked quick never knew much about them this really would explain why, because they never really existed. Brilliant! I look forward to learning more about another brand in your next vid.
Your material is always far worth the wait and a great reward for the anticipation of " What is he going to do next?" Best automotive deep-dives on the 'Tube
I remember the Vector W8 from Gran Turismo 2- it was a mean machine and maybe, in a perfect alternate universe out there, that was how Jerry envisioned his cars to be but alas, his ambitions were built on a raggedy-ass foundation Rest in Peace, Jerry
When I worked in irvine TDY for 3 months, it was KTLA's morning broadcast that got me going - that crew at the time (12/2002 *_to_* 03/2003) were hilarious. Way better than the AM News Stations in the Bay Area!
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Can you do a video on the Lotec Sirius?
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I'm no expert.....(just an amateur filmmaker).......but...........THERE'S A MOVIE HERE!
Jerry turned out to be all sizzle and no steak...
Imagine if he just kept on going made deals with maybe Plymouth or Honda etc
I worked with Jerry personally in the early 00's and while i was aware of his deeper problems i really looked up to his vision and ambitions. I wish i could have had a better impact to help that vision come to light. Very patriotic.
We are all flawed, it takes a lot of bravery to put yourself out there like Jerry did and I will always respect him for that.
I think that it’s great that you were able to get to know him. My brother met him at a Detroit Auto Show and took a pic with him twenty five years ago.
@@the.squidd I have another video idea for you Mazda 787b Number 55
@@the.squidd After you talk shit about him for 30 minutes! And btw the transmission was a turbo 400 that was also used in some lambos, or was it Ferrari (?) and countless thousands of race cars! You should have more car knowledge if you're going to speak in such a snarky tone.
@@SuzukiJim Yeah, they are great story tellers, but I have noticed a pattern to bend the truth somewhat. They could have kept the snark, but mentioned the other cars before emphasis on "motorhome".
Growing up in Europe in the 70's and 80's, Vector/Wiegert were absolutely at the top in my mind, even above Ferrari and Lambo, because they made the Battlestar Galactica with wheels and it was so out of this world it made European supercars look pedestrian in comparison.
In pictures of a magazine. Does it count?
Your obviously a clueless clown when it comes to supercars
@@FyodorUshakovSukahow many supercars have you personally driven? I mean, what’s the difference for those who never drive these?
The quality of these videos is absolutely insane. A serious treasure trove to the car community, thank you for all the hard work and dedication.
Doing our best here, all credit goes to my team. Just absolutely more talented people than me.
@@the.squidd It takes a great leader to put his team first, nothing but blessings for the future ❤️
I really appreciated how most of the footage was actually out of the 70's, not only that but exactly related to what he's talking about instead of stock footage, it must be hard to do, really appreciate it.
@@Ar1AnX1x it is quite difficult sometimes. Luckily Jerry put out a few promo videos and was interviewed a few times on the news so we had some stuff to work with. We even hired a guy to record some Assetto Corsa footage for us for the intro.
PLS DO RUFF!
Jerry is the example of why you need people to tell you what NOT to do, such a visionary, but clearly so full of himself, that in the end, he was left all alone.
He needed someone to check himself before he wrecked himself.
he seems to have been what is today called a techbro, before popular culture had developed that concept
@@Tsotha truly beyond his time
John Romero from Id Software and Ion Storm would in his younger days fit the definition of a prototype for the tech bro, reading about the weird publicity stunts he pulled back in the 1990's I am instantly reminded of Elon Musk's today. The difference is that Romero seems to have learned from his mistakes in a way I don't think Weigert ever did and it seems extremely unlikely Musk will as far as the foreseeable future. @@dank_tomatoes1165
I had no idea this company even existed and made such radical cars. Thank you for yet another fantastic documentary.
Our pleasure! I am happy to share the insane creations of Jerry. I think more people need to know about Vector.
@@the.squiddR390 vid?
Search for “Doug Demuro Vector”. He’s did a great in depth review of one.
If you want a review of the car, DougDemuro has a really good one!
@arthurtoscano723 Nah man, you know how squidd's vids go through the people behind and development history of the cars? That's what I want, I already know a fair bit about the actual car itself, (Also how did they get an R390 to review, there are like 2 of those things in the world)
If it wasn't for a little game called Gran Turismo 2, I never would've identified this insane-looking car I spotted in the Bay Area. The car company I really wanted to succeed.
Holy crap I forgot there was a vector in gta 2
Gt2 was the first thing I thought about when I saw this. Was one of my favorite cars in the game 😊
I remember the magazine article for the Vector W2 and then racing the Vector in GT2.
Always wondered what happened to them.
@@Shawn-Leider and gta 3
It's a well-known fact that Polyphony Digital only put Vector in GT2 (then Cizeta in GT4) because they couldn't have Lamborghini's license. Since the M12 was a Diablo kit-car, it was the closest substitute to the real deal they could get. Same reason they got Venturi & RUF to fill in for Ferrari & Porsche respectively.
Jerry was a very ambitious guy who knew what he wanted...the W8 remains as a testament to his legacy in auto history
he knew what he wanted but had no concept of how to make himself a likeable person,
I fart
@@SimigemaGreat news.....I guess...?
@@rahulsudhir666 thank you, thank you. Special recipe is eggs and beans
It was and still is a piece of crap. We have never seen an actual testing of this car, all we had ever seen was silly commercials. It was all hype and nothing more.
I have actually seen one of these W8s in person and I believe the guy still has it and lives not too far from me. They are absolute works of art and one of the most interesting cars I have ever seen. Thank you for making this documentary and sharing Jerry's dream with everyone who hasn't seen one before.
They didn't make anything all they did was post a video of a TV broadcast.
what color is the W8? In which state?
It's a dark green color and it's in ND or was I haven't seen it in a couple years but it was 100% a W8. @@vectorfiles
There’s a black W8 in Manhattan Beach, CA. He was an engineer that helped Jerry with the wiring. Ive tried many times. He won’t sell it to me.
Are you 100% certain it’s a vector and not some kit car? There are 20 in the entire world. Chances it is a real vector is slim. But possible. There are just so many kit cars that look like that. Story sounds legit. It’s like the lottery if u seen one
I love the way you tell stories and tell the history of cars and the people behind them!
They tell nothing all they did is post a video of a TV broadcast, anyone can steal a video.
@@LarkspeedNL Okay hater then tell me why all his videos follow the same format and atmosphere?
@@LarkspeedNL this is my favorite comment.
I was watching this video thinking it was a weird looking Countach, then, my father walked behind me and saw what I was watching and immediately exclaimed (in french): "WOOOWWW, the Vector, I definitely had a poster of it back when I was young. Son, this one's a classic!"
your dad is cool
Dude thia ain't an automotive channel.. This is a motivational channel that inspire all...
thank you friend that brought quite a smile to my face.
So make that Automotivational.
This was my bedroom poster car when I was 7 and on. I couldn't understand why it wasn't more popular and well known. As soon as I saw a picture of it I was in love!
Squidd Vid Brigade unite!!
Yep we love squidd here
Unite!!
All for squidd, squidd for all!!!
Netflix should give them a show already
Present
Some people will probably get mad at this comparison, but I couldn't help but think of all the parallels to the story of Steve Jobs and Apple early on. A visionary dreamer who couldn't get along with anybody, frustrated with the media, lawsuits, losing an intelligent key partner, and even a forced exit (sure you could argue the word "forced" with Jobs). Crazy how one company literally took over the world and the other was never heard from again. RIP Mr. Wiegert, and great job as always Squidd and team.
One of my all-time faves....the W8 was really insane...its earlier prototype/sister W2 was the most extreme auto in 1978...real aerospace tech for the street !!!
I heard of Vector back in the early 90s, I was around 5-6 years old in Mexico when my mom bought me a purple WX3 Hot Wheels car. Still got it, of course.
I had a chance to see a Vector in person (The silver one that Dak gets into on Motortrend's Top gear, seen in the video) when it was in Sacramento. The fit and finish is amazing, which really surprised me. They are so notoriously unreliable I thought they would be crap, but they seem really well built.
It's a shame we didn't get to see Vector evolve. I think it's a much more interesting core philosophy in comparison to Saleen or Hennessey.
yeah every review ive read or seen on it says its surprisingly well built, outside of the engine bay. i think perhaps his vision of winning by having the bigger numbers, rather than just a beautiful well functioning car are his ultimate downfall.
@@the.squidd, yes and no. Yes cuz it's obvious and no, because if we're not allowed to dream we'll never evolve. So... yeah!
Wait it lived in Sacramento?!?! that’s insane
@@jakebower2515 Nearby, but the episode was filmed in Old Sac. Sacramento has a really good auto museum though, they take the cars out and make sure they are all runners, even the rare stuff like the early AC Cobra and the Rolls Silver Arrow
Its a boosted sbc, need forged parts to make it reliable.
What's interesting is the Vector was probably the only vehicle in the world that had a real aircraft hour meter installed on its dashboard. I'd love to drive one. It is the first supercar I have ever seen or heard about.
Very cool car, and one that honestly doesn’t look all that dated today. In an alternate timeline, I feel like Vector would be known as a serious competitor
If he had just made cars, and shut up, and maybe changed that transmission, we'd all be talking about Vectors today.
@@the.squidd I definitely think so. It kind of reminds me of the John DeLorean story, little too much ambition in the wrong directions
@@believeinmatterexcept DeLorean got a little too involved in some illegal.... Things. 😅
@@the.squidd That and maybe if he found a partner that he could trust that would've been able to handle the business and public relations side of things. It saddens me that we were so close to something so amazing, and it just never got off the ground for real.
@@drkilledbydeath87 Apart from that.. it was about the worst car ever built.. It looked Ok, but it was too heavy, the engine underpowered, the FuelCap under the front Hood..and not a discrete Fueldoor on the wings, then add the Gassprings that were too weak for the heavy doors, Low Topspeed.. nah.. it was all bark but no bite... and underneath that Stainless steel body, they would rust like the clappers..
Nice job! This is the documentary I was pushing Matt Farrah to do 11 years ago. You knocked it out of the park!
The Vector W8 was one hell of a car. It was beautiful, sleek, and the true definition of futuristic. I can safely say that it looked so much more beautiful than the first Countach. But alas, fate and he himself had been cruel and killed all signs of it's rise to the ranks.
You told his story in such a beautiful way that I have gained quite some respect for tbe man behind the production of this sharp, brutal beauty. Thank you!
By the way, if you hearted this comment, sorry, it might've vanished cuz I edited it- xD
Is everyone in this comment section on some copium crack ?
The W8 is absolutely hideous and looks better than WHAT ? Are you nuts the Gen 1 Countach is the epitome of downright gorgeous, to compare this droopy mirrored hideous wedge to that is INSANE.
@@samueljones3668 No. I am perfectly fine and didnt ask for your opinion. Carry on.
@@samueljones3668It's quite insane isn't it? To say that Jerry is a better car designer than Marcello Gandini is like saying Stockton Rush is a better submarine designer than General Dynamics.
Hell, the W8 makes even an Isdera Imperator look decent.
@@DolleHengstWah, wah, wah, so annoying.
I'm of the lucky ones, who saw a black W8 in real life a few years ago. I know Vector since my childhood playing Gran Turismo 2 then, where the W8 and the M12 were included.
And I always loved Vector. So you can imagine what is like to see a supercar, which is so rare, that you only can dream of seeing it once in your lifetime and then it stands right in front of you. I couldn't stop watching to it. It was so flat and wide and beautiful, oh my god...
Thank you for another good automitive story. I like your stuff and how you bring it across.
Lucky you! I’ve never seen one in person. I’d love to just sit inside one once.
I finally saw a Vector in person at Hagerty in Traverse City years ago, there was a huge crowd around it, and I wondered how many people truly appreciated what they were seeing.
Travers city Michigan?
@@wasntme3651 Yep, at the Hagerty HQ campus
1992 Vector W8 #15 will travel there from time to time.
@@HotMetalVideos no, that was W8, chassis 001.
That intro was intense, I thought I clicked on a Nexpo video. The Squidd's voice is so versatile and has so much range and emotion that he changed the entire atmosphere of a car video.
Fun fact I freaking love Nexpo and this storytelling style was inspired by them. What an honor to hear someone caught on to it.
What an absolute BANGER of an intro bro. I’m hyped now lol.
Glad you like it
Interesting story, sounds bit like Koenigsegg's story, but Koenigsegg is still around and thriving with some insane cars.
I remember as a kid I owned a book of supercars that had the WX8 as one of the final cars in the book and I remember even now how cool that car was to me. Matte Black SR-71 Blackbird on wheels. I couldn't have cared less if it worked. The idea of it was so profoundly cool to me. One of the first "bedroom poster" cars for me. Say what you want about Jerry, but the guy was certainly a visionary who deserves to be remembered for his badass cars and will to succeed..
I am so glad I finally got to see a Vector in person this year. Simply awe inspiring.
If anyone is ANYWHERE near Hickory Corners Michigan, I 200% urge you to RUN to Gilmore Car Museum, as they have a temporary "Supercars: Then and Now" display in their main concourse, and it features a W8.
chassis 001.
And, as a history teacher I admire the richness an depth of the info not only on the car, but more so on Jerry and the "Pacemakers" (Suharto and the rest)
One of my primary missions as a history teacher was always to spend time on great historical characters personal/professional flaws to show students that statues do not make perfect and that greatness exists in a lot more people then we know but only on display when tested....it was more fun too.....@@the.squidd
I've known about Jerry and the Vector company for years. Would have loved to see some of more of his "ideas", like the exterior folding in rear view mirrors and the see through the fog (was it radar?) systems and such. Good video! Really appreciated it.👍
WE GONNA MAKE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH THIS ONE!! 🗣️ 🥶🔥😎💥💯
Thought you said garbage for a second lmao. Shame it ended as it did
Perhaps one of the weirdest claims Wiegert made about the Vector was his (alleged) statement of it being faster around a track than “any Le Mans car” upon being asked about Ferrari’s effort to send the F40 racing.
This was the late 80s & early 90s, and “any Le Mans car” included the Group C cars, which were setting lap records comparable to F1 cars. There’s a certain Brazilian man who just so happened to be racing in F1 with Lotus & Mclaren at the time as well.
Essentially, whether intentionally or not, Jerry Wiegert effectively claimed the W8, a street legal car, would be faster around a track than AYRTON FUCKING SENNA.
Yeah Jerry was not exactly a great marketer.
@@the.squidd Yeah, I feel like with a better marketing team & smarter management Vector could have easily made a bigger impact on the American supercar scene the way Mosler & Saleen did. The incredible ambition & unique car design was there.
Part of me kinda wishes someone buys the Vector brand & gives it the revival it deserves. Perhaps a mid-engined lightweight supercar with a GM-sourced V8 (Supercharged LS anyone?) for the sake of tradition. A proper rival for the Ford GT & C8 Z06/ZR1 corvette. Of course the fighter jet influence would need to remain as well.
Like many said, i never heard of him. But i am glad you told his story so it‘s not forgotten. Thanks Man
Damn that nearly brought me to tears. I really do think Jerry was a visionary and that his story deserves to be told. So glad people agree.
Maaaan I'm not into cars at all. But this channel isn't about cars. Its about people, and their stories. I love it!
This guy gets it.
There was a WX3 on display at the Riverside Car Museum in Southern California I saw back in 2012 (haven’t checked if it is still there) but the curator shared a piece of information that showed the struggle of the failing company:
The WX3 that was displayed at auto shows would get painted in between shows in a different color, making it appear as if there were multiple cars made.
no, there was no WX3 at the Riverside museum. The Riverside museum had the black M12, chassis 012 with red interior, formerly owned by Prince Jeffry of Brunei.
@@vectorfiles it’s been years… but thank you for clarifying, i vaguely remember the curator saying it was a Lamborghini chassis so I just assumed it was the WX3!
I figured out where I goofed after doing a little research: the M12 had the Lamborghini motor, not it being the Diablo chassis! It’s all coming back to me now.
The W2 is still around. Saw it a few months back. Helped move it out of the garage it was stored in back in 2021ish. I became the next tenant of that garage, and built my c10 in it!
Sorry for not commenting on the subject of the video here, but I just want to say that this video is so eloquently written, well performed, and feels professionally edited. I watch a ton of TH-cam and feel like good skills should be called out and celebrated. Well done, you.
My team are the best at what they do!
As a super we enthusiast and an 80s kid, my freaking head exploded when I saw a doc on the same Vector W2 I had a poster of back in 1981 beside the SR-71 Blackbird right next to it! Top.Drawer.Content!
The W8 was absolutely a giant leap ahead.. Could have been much more powerful but the looks were to die for
JERRY..... was a racear driver, he drove so goddamn fast... he never did win no checkered flags , but he never did come in last.
We need to bring vector back alive
I love how wild Jerry was and love his car's looks, so ahead of it's time and luckily we can try it on granturismo 2. It's a shame it never worked out but its a big lesson for others
This story was expertly told as usual. I remember watching the W8 Doug DeMuro video and it became my favorite Doug video of all time. These Vector cars are absolutely insane and I love absolutely everything about them.
As an Indonesian, the name of Tommy Suharto has always has been, shrouded in infamy. Along with their family name.
But to think he is also part of the downfall of Vector, but somehow is also a part to Lamborghini's survival is mindblowing to me.
that's true lol
Hey, just saying, megatech was not responsible for Lamborghini's survival. They were about to kill Lamborghini. The M12, he forgot to mention, shared the Diablo's V12. They made the flagship lambo of the era non bespoke. A complete tragedy, and it didn't stop there, with the Diablo's chassis being parted to the cizeta v16t (also known for having double popups). What saved our company (look at my username as why I say this) was Audi. The best Lamborghini has ever been treated, even better than when they were an independent company. Audi has given more to Lamborghini that anyone else ever did, Chrysler, megatech or anyone else. This was Lamborghini's darkest time. Looks like Tommy was even worse than just ruining vector.
@@a-lambo-boi i'm not surprised if you told me that 😂
That's even make more sense since Tommy is just a businessman at heart. Often his money goes to political will. 😂
@@OsaPratama Yeah. I get you. By the way, just asking, politically, are you guys doing any better now?
@@a-lambo-boi Tommy's Father was a dictator named Soeharto. Soeharto decide to gave up his position in 1998 due to public pressure. Then Soeharto passed away in 2008.
Indonesia is so much better today, no longer experience economy crisis..
Thank God...
It's a great day when I open TH-cam and a new SQUIDD video is on my homepage. Thanks again for another phenomenal documentary. I knew of Vector and a few of their cars, but never the story of the company and Jerry.
Awesome so glad to help broaden your knowledge of this incredible story! I think Vector is a really under sung song in automotive history.
this was so far my favorite squidd video. one of the best stories in automotive world ever told.
Wow, thanks! Was worried about this one, we tried some new stuff and we weren't sure people would like it!
The car that never quite existed for two decades. Then blazed out in an instant.
I love how you did your research deep down into the Cendana Family business. That's dedication.
Man I completely forgot about the Vector till now. I so remember all the posters, magazine covers and even that Agassi fiasco all through the late 80s and early 90s, that car with the hottest models. Then the flashbacks.... when everyone was thinking that was the most basass car ever made. So nice to have the story told of being so close to legendary success being so ahead of it's time to only fail. At least there are a few still around as a shining example. I hope their value is astronomical. R.I.P. Jerry Wiegert you still left your mark in automotive history.
So glad you did an episode on the W8. Great work, as always.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Steve Jobs could never have succeeded without Steve Wozniak. Jerry needed a partner who could not just build those cars, but make them work perfectly.
totally agree, and a good observation. Jobs/Wozniak worked very well, because their skill sets, although different, complemented each other very well. Wozniak was such a solid guy, Jobs less so.
I was poking around and Emailed Gerry, looking to join his adventure as a Fabricator about four months before he died.
He said,”Let me get back with you in two weeks.”
May he Rest In Peace.
Didn't think this car would come up this soon from Squidd, but glad another big name is talking about this legend.
With every video you put the ribbon higher and higher you're trully a storyteller, congrats man 🎉
I've knew Vector from Gran Turismo 2 it was featured a M 12 wich it was a really nice car to play with and it was. W 8 as well.
Keep up the the amazing work
Your mexican fan here 🇲🇽
Never heard a word about this car. Now i'm a fan.
Peak storytelling as always 🔥
that is our goal here, to introduce you to new stories you didn't know! Thanks for watching.
I see now, where Quadra from Cyberpunk was inspired by. Cool looking car.
Dude your ability to tell a story is incredible, your stuff is so cinematic!
Dude just never misses. Another banger
32:36 thats me behind the wheel of the WX8 in the early 00's we were towing it around the block with a forklift. If you look closely you will see the strap coming out the front bumper.
Yeah another commenter said Jerry liked to see what the car looked like in different lighting scenarios so they towed the WX8 around at different times of day. What a wild machine and an interesting designer. Luck you getting to at least sit in it!
Hey man, I know that I am commenting on a 2 month old video and I’m sure you have other plans in the works, but I would love to see a video about Mosler.
Thank you for consistently putting out incredible content :)
Incredible as always. My personal favorite documentaries on the internet. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do!
Vector...the "almost was"...my chilhood dream that kept coming up short.
The Vector was my dream car as a kid I used to have posters it was such a cyberpunk car that was filled with tech.
When you come to watch another boring video but instead get amazed by the add of Opera Web browser 😂 What an awesome add 👍
man, this car was great, pretty sad it had to go down in such a way
If it weren't for Gran Turismo 2 I'd have never known about Vector, thanks for this video:)
Happy to help!
I was patiently waiting for this day. THANK YOU The Squidd! Amazing work as ALWAYS! Here's to another insane production value video!
it may be clunky on the inside, but tbf, thats when car interiors peaked
As a teenager, I had a Vector poster hanging on my wall. It's the reason why I'm a car enthusiast today. Thanks Jerry!!!
Dang I just stumbled upon this channel. That retro intro was AWESOME! So nostalgic and vibe-inducing.
Edit: If Jerry grew his hair out and dyed it blonde, he could cosplay as Dave Mustaine
If Dave Mustaine designed a car it would be pretty good, but not great, and everyone would just say that James Hetfield could have made a better one.
I was (and still am) a massive fan of the Vector. I remember seeing ads for it in The Robb Report magazine. I hope to see one some day. I wish he made more cars, and was still in business. Thank you.
You and me both!
When you have a person that thinks this creatively they always have a bit of crazy to them. Jerry just needed to snag a team to help him to drive this forward. Great story I remember the Vector. Never knew what happened to it.
Wow! That was great! You nailed it!
Oh Jerry! I met him several times. His shop then was a half block off W. Washington Blvd (now Abbot Kinney) in a small shop across the street from "The Haunted House" , a motorcycle clubs headquarters. A friend took me there because he needed some art or artwork of some type, can't recall exactly what, but he was weird, and very guarded, leery of letting anyone into the shop even. I Also ran into him at an exhibit at the Convention center in L.A. ether the Futrama Exibition or a Auto Shop, can't recall that exactly either.
What I do recall was that it was common knowledge with the locals that Jerry only had 1 Vector. But he would paint it different colors and drive it around so it looked like there were more then there actually were. We laughed about that. I also sat in the car, can't remember which version it actually was but it had a Emerson Fitapaldi steering wheel with a sort of cheap cover disguising the fact. I called him on it and he got sort of ticked off and told me to get out of the car.
I also remember that in the beginning innthat little shop he wasn't using an RV transmission, he was using a unit from an Oldsmobile Torenado but I don't remember which engine it had.
Ahh, what memories, thanks for that, so many chuckles people were looking at me.
Maybe once you will make a video about Saleen S7?
By the way - very cool channel. I discovered it yesteday, today I watched two more videos from you and I subscribed. Keep doing the great job
Dude no way thank you sooo much😭, I first heard of this car on a card game called "super triunfo" I remember comparing it to the testarosa which was also in that game and seeing how it completely obliterated the top speed of the testarosa, 320kmh compared to the 384kmh of the W2, I never saw such a passionate video talking about this beautiful car. I always thought this and the Pantera are complete forgotten beasts that broke record at their times. ❤
Haha that's so funny, I think that game is called "top trumps" in the UK?
Yeah the proclaimed numbers of the Vector were wild, I have yet to find any information verifying any of it was true though...
Damn! I have seen many videos about the Vector… but watching video I have already pressed pause one minute into it just to breathe … given me the chills that 1978 sequence…
I ended up at Jerry's house in Beverly Hills, he hosted a Model Party about November 2002. I was driving my Pantera, and he let the security open his gate and allowed me to park in the driveway next to his newest proto type open top Vector. Donald Trump showed up that night and it was an awesome party. But the ultimate time was him sharing the future planned design of his Vector. Apparently he tried to retool but it never came to fruition.
This is the most Vector story I’ve ever heard
Sex booze and Vectors?
Spoke with whom I assume was Weigert at the Long beach Grand Prix in the late 1980's and sat in this thing there. He was impressed that I knew so much about the car he offered to let me come to the shop in Wilmington CA and drive it. Never took him up on the offer sadly enough.. Saw a red one driving around Long Beach a time or two as well. Huge potential...
What a crazy story, very well done. I can’t believe I haven’t heard of these cars before.
Hope your wrist is doing better!
a lot better! Almost back to normal function!
A man before his time. The Vector W8 was out of this world, ruddy beautiful.
I remember seeing one of these at the toronto international auto show. Still such an amazing looking car
Great video. Jerry made fantastic cars. Everything was harder in the 70's and 80's. Now cars can be built by a computer. He did it by hand.
He had a good idea but just when he got investments, instead of focusing on finishing cars that already had customers and further developing the Vector, he went overboard and was voted out of his company in a corporate takeover. I met him when he brought the W8 to the New York Auto Show. RIP 1944 - 2021
What a fascinating story told in a wonderful way. Always a pleasure when you upload
Vector made cars so futuristic they are still being talked about today. This story is a cautionary tale to any automotive designer. Have a dream but keep it simple. All the technical and performance feats are only as amazing if they work and you can prove it. I've seen high speed claims questioned only for the automaker to become defensive and blame the speed testing company for their numbers.
Or have the backing of multiple mulit-millionares like Gordon Murray did, or have an incredibly strong understanding of your product, like Pagani, or eat a ton of fried chicken, like Koenigsegg.
absolutely. If he had just made the damn car, not bragged about numbers, and been nicer to journalists, we'd all be drooling over the 2023 Vector W16 right now.
@the.squidd - Would have been interesting to have talked to people there who were there with the automotive journalists to find out what happened. Instead you make assumptions. Not like it was all roses and glitter perfection.
Someone you should have spoken to is the VP of engineering for Vector - the man who made the dream a reality.
@@HotMetalVideos I feel like the video makes it pretty clear that it wasn't "roses and glitter" - most the journalists are more than happy to talk about what happened.
Car and Driver especially, Csaba has extensive notes that he freely shares.
As for talking specifically to Kostka, there just isn't really any reason. He's not the main character of the story being told. While his cost saving and engineering ideas are fascinating, ultimately his time at Vector was very short compared to the entire saga.
@@DumbAngelDragon are you serious? David was there basically the entire time. Weigart passed away, and David carries the Vector legacy. "No reason to speak to him" but lots of reasons to speak to Casaba" what a joke!
I've just discovered your channel and I'm loving it! I'm here to press the bell icon! 🔔
Yay! Thank you! Glad you like what you found
Jerry was a legend and a genuine car enthusiast. It is utterly sad that he was not recognized for his truly superordinary endeavors. At least Vector W8 will go down in history as an innovative revolution. RIP Jerry.
The man invented the Hypercar long before they ever existed!
@@the.squiddFor sure
@hoxtongood the technology of the car is great, @the.squidd although the way the engine wasn't
I had a poster of this car on my wall as a kid! Thanks for the stroll down memory lane!.
I always loved Vector. I use to drive them in Gran Turismo 2
This kind of reminds me of the story of the McLaren F1, but it's the total opposite.
Instead of the brilliance, determination, and expertise of Gordon Murray, we see the hubris, stubbornness, and incompetence of Jerry Wiegert. Truly a captivating story.
Both though, have passion, and for that, I can't fault them.
@@the.squidd Wiegert definitely had a passion for all things "aeromotive."
Again awesome storytelling!
I wouldn’t call myself a car enthusiast but i love watching your videos!
Well done!
Thanks a ton!
the quality of the video indeed surpasses the one of the cars shown in it.
*This car is A E S T H E T I C .*
Ha Vector, I remember seeing one of their cars in Gran Turismo M12 I think it was. Always looked quick never knew much about them this really would explain why, because they never really existed.
Brilliant! I look forward to learning more about another brand in your next vid.
i love this car , this car is recognized around the world and is distinctively iconic.
Your material is always far worth the wait and a great reward for the anticipation of " What is he going to do next?"
Best automotive deep-dives on the 'Tube
Good! I love to keep the audience guessing
I remember the Vector W8 from Gran Turismo 2- it was a mean machine and maybe, in a perfect alternate universe out there, that was how Jerry envisioned his cars to be
but alas, his ambitions were built on a raggedy-ass foundation
Rest in Peace, Jerry
When I worked in irvine TDY for 3 months, it was KTLA's morning broadcast that got me going - that crew at the time
(12/2002 *_to_* 03/2003) were hilarious. Way better than the AM News Stations in the Bay Area!