"This car can be viewed in person from 14th to 18th July 2020 at our the auction site, Windsorview Lakes, Datchet, SL3 9HY
‘For the tenacious, no road is impassable’ or ‘Nulla tenaci invia est via’ - an appropriate motto as Reiter Engineering in Holland developed the modern Spyker to compete exclusively at Le Mans. The LM representing ‘Le Mans’ and ‘85’ for its position of the GT2 cars on the grid back in 2002. Even the very limited production run of 24 refers to the 24 gruelling hours the cars have to endure at La Sarthe. Since then, they haven’t missed a year with even a brief foray into modern F1 in 2006. Prior to this, interestingly, one can trace the Spyker (or Spijker) roots back to 1880 producing carriages in Holland, even supplying the Golden State Coach to Queen Wilhelmina and still rolled out for special events today (the Coach not the Queen). Their engineering credentials were cemented during the Peking to Paris rally in 1907 finishing a close 2nd over the gruelling 15,000km event. Shortly after, over 100 fighter aircraft were produced during WW1 alongside an additional 200 aircraft engines.
During the following years, much development took place with landspeed records tumbling as they became better known. Then, in 1925, the Spyker company ceased trading but re-emerged at the Birmingham Motor Show in 2000. The radical C8 was a complete stylistic departure from anything that preceded it. Yet, it skilfully recalled Spyker’s heritage in both aircraft and automobile production. There is much to keep the eye busy and many styling cues to make you smile. Notable design elements included fuselage-type styling, rear ‘cannon-port’ vents, a prominent wide grille intake and an engine-turned aluminium dashboard. The additional side vents, exhaust and 19” ‘Aeroblade’ propeller-styled alloy wheels with central nut alongside AP Racing six-piston brake calipers all contribute to a bold statement but something Spyker have never shied away from.
With a race-bred 400bhp, 4.2-litre, Audi V8 engine married to a Getrag six-speed gearbox and fully independent, inboard, adjustable suspension, the C8 immediately became a force to be reckoned with in the sports car market. Of the approximately 10 variants designed over the course of its production run, certainly the most inspired C8 was the Laviolette LM85 which paid homage to the makers’ Le Mans racing history.
Opening the ‘scissor-style’ doors - an event in itself - and the interior is equally fabulous. It remains a designer’s paradise with door panels in black hide, quilted inlays in black alcantara with orange stitching with the knee area, dashboard and receiving the same treatment. The centre tunnel and sills are also trimmed in black quilted alcantara with orange stitching, as is the steering wheel. The switchgear has an aircraft feel, the gearshift is a work of art and the exposed aluminium pedals are straight out of its competition siblings. With 60mph achieved from rest in 4.4 seconds and in just two gear changes, it is clear that Spyker’s engineers achieved their design objectives with the C8. This particular LM85, with its Le Mans-inspired burnt almond orange and gun metal livery, is undoubtedly among the most desirable variants of a very rarefied breed and when you have finished hustling this through the countryside, you simple engage the ‘Whisper Mode’ on the Sports Exhaust System as you arrive home.Regularly serviced at SuperVettura, one of the UK’s leading exponents of both retail and servicing of rare hypercars and exclusive supercars, it has a fresh service, full 12-month MoT test certificate, factory paperwork and book set. It is always kept garaged and presents in superb condition throughout, as you would expect with just 569 miles recorded. With just a handful ever made and such an unimpeachable history behind the marque, it is a truly special hypercar, the like of which you may well not see again.
The health and safety of both our customers and team remains the utmost priority, we are therefore operating to Government guidelines throughout viewing and auction day."