Spyker C8 Spyder

The Spyker C8 Spyder and it’s numerous variants can be traced back to the Spyker Silverstris V8 concept, designed by Maarten de Bruijn. Maarten, back in 1999, dreamt of owning a small sports car manufacturing business and decided to revive the long defunct Spyker brand name and logo for his vehicles. The Dutch company Spyker from 1880 to 1925 gained famed first as a carriage builder and then eventually moved on to the production of airplanes. Maarten’s Silverstris V8 concept would eventually be refined into a production model, the Spyker C8 Spyder, which was the first in a long line of iconic, boutique sports car.

The Spyker C8 Spyder: Flying Low

Spyker C8 Spyder

Not ever meant to be the fastest or flashiest convertible available the Spyker C8 Spyder won over the motoring public with a truly gorgeous interior and minute touches of detail, many drawing inspiration from Spyker’s heritage in airplane production. The exterior side intakes and multiple propeller-shaped touches like the “Aeroblade” steering wheel, alloy wheels and dash air vents, remind one not only of Spyker’s lineage, but the very limited nature of the vehicle, a handful of which are sold every year.

Dutch Sports Car Uses German Power

Spyker C8 Spyder

A 4.2-liter Audi-sourced V8 producing an even 400-hp mounted behind the passengers powers the Spyker C8 to a claimed top speed of 186 mph and a 0 to 60 sprint in about 4.5 seconds. Inboard F1-style adjustable suspension allows for comfort or sport settings depending on the driver’s preference.

Is it Worth $250,000?

Spyker C8 Spyder

The Spyker V8 Spyder carried a quarter-million dollar price tag at its debut. Details like scissor doors and the absence of a header rail atop the windscreen, due to the strength of the A-pillars, are touches which highlight how special a Spyker really is. Many of the Spyker’s parts were sourced from English specialist firms, but finally assembly was undertaken in Zeewolde, Netherlands. Additionally, leather for the C8 was sourced from Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries, famous for the suppleness and quality of their hides. And recently, reminding us of the target market for these beautiful vehicles, Spyker became the first company in the world to offer matching Louis Vuitton luggage as an option for its cars, starting at around $20,000.

Spyker C8 Variants

Spyker C8 Spyder

The C8 Spyder was followed by a fixed-glass roof version called the Laviolette, and eventually spawned more than 10 other variants including the C8 Spyder T, C8 Double 12S, C8 Aileron and C8 Laviolette GT2-R.

Related: The New Spyker C8 Preliator

The Spyker company has had its fair share of recent financial troubles, but just one look at any of the companies vehicles will serve to justify their place in sports car history. It seems almost demeaning to call a Spyker just a car—they would fit right in any museum of contemporary art.