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This 1996 Vector M12 was completed in March 1996 as the fourth of 14 examples built during a four-year production run after Indonesian firm Megatech’s hostile takeover of Vector Aeromotive. The car was driven by Jeremy Clarkson in a period Top Gear segment and later spent 13 years with one owner prior to being purchased by the selling dealer in 2018, after which it received a cosmetic and mechanical freshening. Featuring fiberglass bodywork finished in red over a lengthened Lamborghini Diablo chassis, the car is powered by a mid-mounted 5.7-liter Lamborghini quad-cam V12 that is mated to a ZF five-speed manual transaxle. Additional features include Brembo disc brakes, multipiece staggered-width 18” three-spoke wheels, coilover independent suspension, rack-and-pinion power steering, a custom exhaust system, power window panels, and air conditioning. This M12 has 4,400 miles and is now offered with service invoices from current ownership, an owner’s manual, Vector signage purchased on BaT in February 2023, its removed exhaust system, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.

4,400-Mile 1996 Vector M12

The Vector marque was founded in 1971 by Gerald Wiegart, who began marketing the company’s first prototype, the W2, in the late 1970s before production of the twin-turbocharged W8 launched in 1989. Development of the W8’s successor, the WX-3, was upended by Megatech’s takeover of Vector Aeromotive and subsequent termination of Wiegart, who won the right to retain the prototype’s design copyrights. Having also acquired Lamborghini in 1994, Megatech developed the M12 with underpinnings borrowed from the contemporary Diablo, including a chassis that was stretched in length to accommodate carbon-reinforced fiberglass bodywork evoking that of the WX-3 coupe. A total of 17 examples of the M12, including three prototypes, were built before Megatech’s sale of Lamborghini and subsequent bankruptcy brought production to an end in 1999.

4,400-Mile 1996 Vector M12

This example is finished in red, and the front bumper and rear deck lid were repainted under current ownership to address cracks and chips. Design elements include a sloping nose blending into the profile of a deeply raked wraparound windshield as well as a front chin spoiler, pop-up headlights, horizontally bisected side windows, scissor doors, triple intake scoops ahead of each rear wheel, a rear spoiler, and triple-vented dual exhaust outlets. A crack is present at the top of the windshield.

4,400-Mile 1996 Vector M12

Multipiece three-spoke alloy wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires measuring 235/40ZR18 up front and 335/30ZR18 at the rear that were mounted in 2019. Stopping is handled by Brembo disc brakes shared with the Lamborghini Diablo, from which the rack-and-pinion steering system was also derived. The power steering pump and rack were rebuilt in 2019, at which time the reservoir was replaced and replacement lines were fabricated. The front brake hoses were also replaced in 2019, and the calipers were disassembled and cleaned.

4,400-Mile 1996 Vector M12

The cabin houses bucket seats trimmed in tan leather with black piping, while color-matched upholstery covers the lower door panels, sills, and center console. Wear is present on the driver’s seat bolster. Additional features include black suede dash and upper-door trim, tan carpeting, a gated shifter, power controls for the lower window panels, air conditioning, and a CD stereo. The air conditioning was recharged in 2019.

4,400-Mile 1996 Vector M12

The leather-wrapped steering wheel sits ahead of a 220-mph speedometer and a tachometer flanked by gauges monitoring oil temperature, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The digital odometer shows 4,400 miles approximately 500 of which have been added under current ownership.

4,400-Mile 1996 Vector M12

The 5.7-liter Lamborghini V12 features dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and electronically controlled multiport fuel injection and shared the Diablo’s factory-rated output of 492 horsepower. Service in 2023 included fluid changes and replacement of the spark plugs, and results of a compression test performed at that time are shown in the photo gallery below. The idle control valve was replaced in 2019.

4,400-Mile 1996 Vector M12

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed manual transaxle mounted behind the engine. Independent suspension incorporates double wishbones and coilover shock absorbers, the latter of which are utilized in pairs at each rear wheel. A custom exhaust system was installed under current ownership, and the removed exhaust system is included in the sale.

The Carfax report is free of accidents or other issues.

Auction Result

Winning Bid USD $295,000 by TheGonz
Auction Ended April 22, 2024 at 10:21AM PT
Bids 54
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BaT Essentials

Seller: CarCaveSRQ
Location: Osprey, Florida 34229
Listing Details
  • Chassis: 1V9MB1226T1048004
  • Fourth of 14 Production Examples
  • 4,400 Miles
  • 5.7-Liter Lamborghini V12
  • ZF Five-Speed Manual Transaxle
  • Fiberglass Bodywork
  • Red Paint
  • Tan Leather Upholstery
  • Staggered-Width 18" Three-Spoke Wheels
  • Brembo Disc Brakes
  • Coilover Independent Suspension
  • Air Conditioning
  • Tested on Top Gear in 1990s
Private Party or Dealer: Dealer
Additional charges from this dealer: USD $0
Lot #143288