BMW is loved throughout the automotive world. However everyone, even those that don’t care about cars, know their biggest weakness: Stylistically thinking inside the box. 

You see, for decades, BMW has played by the rules. They are masters at taking something and making it smooth, luxurious, streamlined, and balanced. Thats how they got the moniker “The Ultimate Driving Machine” They have a wagon, an SUV, a coupe, a cross-over, and of course, plenty of sedans. If they ever wanted a sports car, they would take one of these frames, upgrade the suspension, brakes, and give it a killer engine and transmission. 

But, as stated before, this approach lacks dramatic styling. It leaves the driver with nothing more than an upgraded version of what already exists. 

If BWM breaks the mold every once in a while, the M1 was designed to decimate it. 

Lamborghini and BMW decided to come together to make a super car that they could share together. Similar to today’s Subaru BRZ and Scion FRS. The famed Italian designer of the DeLorean DMC-12 and Lotus Esprit, Gioregetto Giugiaro, took the 1972 BMW Turbo as a platform and went from there. Although breaking new ground, the M1 still has styling nods that you see in an every day BMW. The front bumper facade and grille for example, is a flattened version of what you might see in other BMWs. Even the rear lights have those signature Bimmer touches. Despite all of that, it is completely in its own class. If no logos were present, one would probably not even think it was German. Updating the styling dramatically, the Italians were also in charge of the frame and handling itself. However, the partnership fell though, as Lamborghini didn’t have as much money to put into the project. 

BMW took over and also hired a few disgruntled Italians to come work for them in the process. Vowing to take the car from concept to production, BMW placed one of their famous straight six cylinder engines into this lightweight mid-engine platform. Although only a 6 cylinder, BMW placed 4 valves per cylinder, giving it 273hp. Not bad for a 6 cylinder from the late 70s. The non-street legal version produced by BMW turbocharged the same vehicle to a outstanding 850hp. 

So why haven’t you seen these around or in music videos and bedroom wall posters? Well, BMW only made 433 commercially available. They do exist, but like the Vector, are extremely rare and expensive. 

The average model auctions now for well over $500,000. For $150,000 you can get BMWs insanely fast and hip successor model, the new BMW i8. As for this author, if I was a multimillionaire, I would stick with the M1. It’s got a style and charm unique and all its own. Thats not something you can say for a lot of Bimmers.

Do you ever watch Japanese Anime and see the guy jump into a mech suit? The suit conforms to his body and plugs in mechanically to his biological tendencies? His physical hands and legs control the state of the art machine, but his mind controls the nuances, reactions, and timing. Do you ever wonder what its like to feel like that hero? I say to you, wonder no more. 

As digital and analog worlds combined in the 80s, the technology bled into other aspects of life, including the automotive world. 

As with most of our 80’s cars, the Oil Embargo was still on the mind of manufacturers. Toyota wanted to create something fun to drive while still being economically feasible. Toyota theorized that a mid engine layout would add a sporty feel, while giving balance for increased gas mileage. The SA-X was developed and then debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show as the SV-3. As the car was in test production, Toyota brought in famed Lotus engineer Roger Becker to help with the handling. The end result was the 1985 Toyota MR2.

And what a result it was. For the fraction of the cost, the common man can experience mid engine handling with sporty performance. The MR2 was extremely well received and made Car & Driver as well as Road & Track top 10 list for years. It also won Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year. 

Superior handling even by todays standards make this car an instant and famous classic. Sitting in the cockpit with the front lights popped up show you just how short the hood is, and where the road actual meets the vehicle. The natural low profile of the car only adds to this euphoria. As driver and engine sit right next to one another in perfect harmony, the car becomes the ultimate extension of ones physical and mental capabilities. 

Although only 112 HP in the states, the lightweight frame and mid engine could get the car from 0-60 in the 8 second range. Much faster than even some of the American V8’s of the day. One upping the V8’s again, the MR2 attained 40mpg. However, 112 HP is hardly super car territory. So in 1988, Toyota introduced the supercharged version. The lightweight frame now had 145 HP and could do 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. 

For the looks of the car, little is known about the design aspect. All we know for now is that it was a team at Toyota in charge of the striking lines and aggressive look of the car. Clearly, it was inspired by Italian and British exotics of the day. Some even say that the first MR2 looks like a Lamborghini….. if they made a $10,000 model. 

MR2’s are still plentiful today. For a few grand, you could get one in more than great shape. This author should know, he’s owned 3 MR2’s himself. If you want all the retro looks, with the feel of something totally new, plug into this 

Put in your quarters, and use the wheel to choose your car. Use the gas pedal to confirm your choice. Lets see… Jeep, Mustang, Beetle…. OH! A fancy Italian looking sports car! Let’s go with that one, it has to be the best, and probably only for professionals. 

In the world of Italian Exotic cars, there are plenty that get attention, but only few that people actually recognize from memory. Today, we are talking about the king of the dream, the Ferrari Testarossa.

In the 80’s Ferrari was looking to improve upon its Berlinetta Boxer. They wanted to make it bigger, better, faster… and most of all, they wanted to release it to the US, as the BB never made it to American soil. In doing so, they took a famous Ferrari name (the 1957 Testa Rossa) and made two words one. 

The old BB was known for overheating, so much so that the interior itself would feel like sitting a furnace. To remedy this, Ferrari added a whopping 3 different radiators to keep it cool. Extra space was needed for this and the old BB was a little cramped to begin with so they essentially had to redesign a car from the ground up. 

Little did they know, they would be creating an icon at the same time. 

Ferrari used a F12 (flat 12) cylinder as opposed to a V12. The flat orientation of the engine provides a naturally lower center of gravity. The 4.9 liter produced a impressive 390 HP. Zero to 60 in 5.2 seconds, and a quarter mile in 13.5 seconds. Not bad considering the many many mundane options of the 1980’s. 

The Pininfarina design caught the eye of not only would be customers, but the hearts of Americans as it speed along high speed pop culture. 

The Testarossa began is insane popularity on the hit show Miami Vice. This relationship of man and car continued on throughout the years as many prominent celebrities bought and owned Testarossa’s. You can also find the Testarossa on the cover art of much of Kavinskys Outrun album. 

From SEGA’s Out Run to Midway’s Cruis’n USA, the Testarossa was specifically featured in over 33 video games. It was included in even far more video games as a caricature, without licensing agreements. However, there is no mistaking the low profile and side strakes. 

In TV, music, video games, and real life, the Testarossa will always live on in the psyche of every retro head out there. With $150,00 or so, like Billy Ocean, you can get out of your dreams and get into this car. 

OK so back in March, we got a good look at an American attempt to capture the hearts of exotic buyers: The Vector W2. We all know that didn’t turn out so profitable or become the everyday symbol of an American supercar they were hoping for.

Maybe it was too much, too soon? People didn’t readily have $150,000 to spend, or really need the 600HP.  The dream may have ended for Vector, but the American mid-engine would stay alive, via a very different turn. 

In the late 70’s and early 80’s, GM started looking into a Corvette stable-mate. The only problem was, they were dealing with the now infamous Oil Crisis. Gone were the days of massive engines and raw horsepower. Now, everyone needed fuel economy and proper emissions. Suddenly GM found itself in the middle of trying to please government officials and buyers at the same time. 

Their answer was one single latin word: Fiero.

If the Fiero was to be a food dish for the consumers taste, the recipe would be; dramatic styling, nimble frame, and a mid-ship engine. A two seater with a beefy 2.5L four cylinder engine that had amazing exotic sports car looks, with an astounding potential of 40MPG on the freeway. 

With the foundational backing of a major world company like GM, and a price tag of just $13,499 its no wonder the Fiero spread like fire and wedged in its way to become a piece of Americana. 

The sales figures and success of the brand would have makers like Vector spinning in its grave! Even Hall & Oates approved!

But alas, not all was well in paradise. The Fiero was meant to live up to emission and fuel economy standards, not to sucker punch Italians on the track. Many felt the car was all show and no go. Even the exquisite handling people would come to expect from a mid-engine car; was just not there. 

Yes, unfortunately, there were some unhealthy ingredients in this recipe too. The ever penny pinching GM took parts and suspension from the Chevette and Citation to build the Fiero. Neither car was ever in the hall of fame for anything noteworthy, so those parts continued to drag down the Fiero. The fuel economy too, had a downside. To attain such MPG, it came at the sacrifice of power. 

The car was still a success, and GM was determined to keep the customers happy. In 1985, they outsold the Toyota MR2 in America by more than double. It was time to walk the walk so they added a V6 option. Later, they upgraded the handling and suspension. A turbo version was also in the works. 

But just as Vector W2 suffered from being too much, too soon; the Pontiac Fiero suffered from a case of too little, too late. 

The final curtain call for this gorgeous 2 seater was in 1988. Today the Fiero lives on as an icon in style and charisma. Many clubs and forums are dedicated to restoring this car to its former glory and then some. There are also more kit cars made from Fiero’s than any other frame available, save it be the Volkswagen Beetle. 

Luckily this day in age, they can be found and bought, as there are plenty available. And the entry cost of even a well taken care of model shouldn’t break the bank. If there’s room in your heart, or your garage, a Fiero is waiting to be your sunset escape.

Flashback to your previous life. Who were you? A warrior in Genghis Khans army? Maybe a baker in South America in the 1800’s? But if you are here at NRW now, you know deep down inside, you were once Wall Street executive in the 1980’s. 

So you find yourself at the hight of your career. You own the fastest rising firm and you got money and class coming out your ears that its becoming obscene. There is literally only one car to match your lifestyle. Its fast and loud. Bold and stylish. Exclusive and expensive. Classy and yet, in your face. 

Its the Lamborghini Countach. 

Source: Paramount Pictures

Originally a concept car in 1971, the Countach found fame at various motor shows. For those that don’t know, Lamborghini and Ferrari have forever been locked in battle when it comes to making super cars. But Lamborghini has always leaned a little more toward bold and dangerous design, and the Countach was their first sizable step in this endeavor. Its large midship engine pushed the driver far more forward and was renowned for such a new theory in motoring. The scissor doors not only looked cool, but helped the long cockpit style meet functionality. Several new touches were added in the world of aerodynamics and air cooling as well. The result of the styling, mixed with powerful V12 engines, made the Lamborghini Countach the top dog in the supercar world. Production began in 1974 and ended in 1990 and included 6 variants, giving it an impressive 16 year run. 

1985 was the year that it hit US shores and became the bedroom poster envy to every young American kid. By then, Countach manufacturing had reached a respectable maturity and the cars were faster and more refined than the previous years. The US market got a 5.1 liter V12 that produced 415 HP. Zero to sixty was an impressive 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 179 mph. The downside in the states was that the car didn’t meet US safety standards and a special extra bumper had to be created just for the car. Nevertheless, at $100,000 MSRP, people ordered them in droves and the model cemented Lamborghini into not only US car culture, but the world as well.  With all the speed, flashy doors, extreme styling and insane performance, its no wonder Jordan Belfort (AKA The Wolf of Wall Street) owned one. Even on quaaludes, this thing has to be a rush to drive. 

VECTOR W2 TWIN TURBO, 1980-82

In 1980, Jerry Wiegart founded a visionary car company known today as Vector Motors. Wiegart, a young and upcoming designer, was inspired heavily by aircraft, spacecraft, and aero-engineering. Wiegart also wondered why American car companies had yet to enter the world of exotics, a world dominated by the Europeans. Vector’s W2 model, dubbed as “Aircraft for the Street” would be their grand entrance into that market. The W2, true to the word “Vector” shot for the moon and back. Its statistics even by today’s standards would strike fear into the hearts of most drivers. A Donovan tuned Chevy 5.7 liter V8 with twin turbos produced over 600hp. This catapulted the car to an estimated top speed of 242mph, leaving it to be the worlds fastest production car at the time. 

Vector W8 , 1990-92

The g-force didn’t only live on in the engine bay, it continued throughout the car. Taken directly from aircraft were many toggles, switches, and gauges. These were not just for show but were actually fully functional via an onboard computer. This allowed the driver to customize and view many of the cars capabilities at once, a first for its time. A heads up display inspired by fighter jets would also be projected onto the windshield so that the driver could see MPH as well as RPM’s and other statistics. Other notables were the Millennium Falcon style shifter that sat on the left side of the driver and the automatic louvered style headlights. 

Vector W2 Interior 

The W2 sold for an asking price of $150,000, in todays money, that is the equivalent of $350,000. With such a steep price, it was difficult for Wiegart to find buyers. However, he maintained his price, noting that it was needed for further development of future models. The W2 never sold, but through a lofty PR campaign, Wiegart raised money to create and develop the W8 in 1989. The W8 was the successor to the W2 and was designed with more rounded styling cues. Other changes saw a few of the airplane switches and gauges replaced in favor of a “Knight Rider” style monochrome computer screen and an upgraded 6.0 liter V8. Only 17 of these W8’s were ever produced, but for those eager to live on in the 1980s dream, it can be yours….. for a price. At true dream car pricing, the most recent example sold at auction last year for $250,000. Not bad for the first true American exotic. 

VECTOR W2/ W8 GALLERY