While we generally have the impression that it doesn't get more exclusive or exotic than a Ferrari LaFerrari, there are those older limited edition supercars that have a much more rarer status.
It's almost as if they spend most of their lives locked away in a hidden cave and only come out once ever ten years to remind everyone of the wonderful vehicles that exist in this world and make sure they don't forget about them.
The Isdera Imperator 108i is one of those cars. The German super-mobile is more than just a pretty body on wheels - it also has a story. It was built by its creator, Eberhard Schulz, who worked as a design engineer for Mercedes-Benz and helped with the creation of the stunning CW311 concept car.
Since the Stuttgart-based company had no interest in sending the unusual model into production, Schulz asked for permission to build it himself. Permission was granted, and this is how the Isdera Imperator 108i came to be, borrowing some AMG V8 engines in the process as well.
The Isdera has an unusual shape, to say the least, resembling an Italian supercar much more than anything with German blood in it. Well, that might not be entirely true since the overall shape might remind some WWII experts of the Jagdpanzer 38 'Hetzer' German tank destroyer. Take away the gun, replace the tracks with four wheels, add some glass and there you have it: the Isdera Imperator 108i.
All jokes aside, seeing this vehicle in person truly is a one in a lifetime opportunity, especially if it's lapping the Nurburgring. Thirty of them were ever produced, but nobody knows how many are still un working order. The fiberglass body means it has nothing to fear from rust, but the tubular steel spaceframe isn't as safe. However, it does contribute to the car's exceptionally low overall weight of 1,350 kg (2,976 lb).
The Isdera used a number of AMG engines over the years, with no fewer than four different units slotting behind those two seats during the almost ten years it was in production. And just in case you're wondering why is that air scoop on the roof facing the wrong way, it's because it serves an entirely different purpose: it's a rear-view periscope. Yes, really.
"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie) Full profile
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