Dutch supercar maker Spyker appears to have a new lease on life after being rescued from bankruptcy.
It’s not the first time in a troubled history that a Spyker revival has been promised, however. The company was founded back in 1880, making it one of the world’s oldest automotive brands, but it first went out of business in 1926.
In 2000, entrepreneur Victor Muller brought the Spyker name back with the C8 Spyder—a quirky convertible powered by Audi’s 4.2-liter V-8. Externally, it had echoes of Maserati’s 4200 GT, but it was the scissor doors and wild steampunk interior that set the Spyker apart. Copious quantities of quilted leather were contrasted with polished aluminum switchgear, including a steering wheel that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the deck of a yacht. An exposed manual gear selector for the Getrag six-speed transmission, and a shiny metal pedal set completed the look.
Spyker followed the C8 Spyder with a Laviolette coupe and Double 12 R race car, before showing a fancy four-door adventure vehicle dubbed the D8 Peking-to-Paris Concept. The company also hired Zagato for a 2007 concept, briefly dabbled in F1, and even acquired Saab in 2010, such was its ambition.
None of this actually transitioned into financial success, and in 2014, Spyker went bankrupt again. A year later, it was back, displaying a car called the C8 Preliator at the Geneva Auto Show, but once more the business failed and Spyker filed for bankruptcy in 2021. Now Muller is hoping it will be the fourth time lucky as he has settled disputes with Spyker’s creditors and regained the company’s trademarks and intellectual property. “After years of challenges, we’re cleared for takeoff,” wrote Spyker on a social media post. “For the tenacious, no road is impassable—our motto since 2000 rings truer than ever. More detailed information about our plans will be announced shortly.”
Report by Nik Berg
find more news here.
