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Spyker Cars

So impressive is the name Spyker that the original state coach commemorating Queen Wilhelmina's coronation in 1898, is still used by the Dutch Royal Family today. Indeed, an unparalleled feat by any standards, the superb workmanship of this beautiful gold-laden carriage is a testament to the luxurious and superior craftsmanship of the Spijker brothers.

Earlier in the year, Jacobus and Hendrik- Jan Spijker, from Amsterdam had already been recognized when they designed and built a motor car using the Benz engine. Their luxury car kept many in awe, as perfection was the trait of these master coach builders. Quickly realizing their potential, the brothers set out to manufacture automobiles, and subsequently changed the company to Spyker so that people outside of the Netherlands would easily recognize the name.

Spyker was overly aggressive and doggedly advanced in its research and development, leading to numerous innovative achievements. They introduced the first car with a six-cylinder engine and patented the “dust shield chassis” which helped to reduce and eliminate the dust created on unpaved roads. Their cars were fitted with circular radiators and were known for their durability and rugged nature. Because of these superiorities, the Spyker 14/18HP Tourer garnered second place in the 1907 Peking to Paris Raid.

But as war loomed, funds for luxury cars were not available. Sales dropped dramatically, therefore, in 1914, Spyker merged with the Dutch Aircraft Factory N.V and during the first World War, the company concentrated on fighter aircraft. This merger and subsequent redirection of focus led to the new logo and slogan for Spyker. The graphic included an aircraft propeller and a wire wheel encircled by the name Spyker and slogan “ Nulla tenaci invia est via”. Translated as “ for the tenacious no road is impassable”, there could not be a better motto for Spyker cars, then or now.



Despite the popularity and success of its vehicles Spyker shut down in 1925 not to be rejuvenated until the year 2000 with a new Dutch company formed called Spyker Cars N.V. Incredibly, they are using the same name, logo and slogan!

An immediate success right out of the gate, the company's first super car, the Spyker C8 Spyder won the 2000 Institute of Vehicle Engineers Design Award. And each year, a new model is released keeping buyers wondering about the newest version. Two points that are most intriguing about Spyker cars are:
• The company has tried to preserve the cars' aircraft-influenced designs. For example, the Spyker C8 Laviolette resembles a modern jet fighter.
• In addition, although brands such as Ferrari and Porsche are luxury vehicles, it is said that Spyker is above that class, instead appealing to those individuals that are so wealthy, they are beyond the other luxury makes and want something amazingly unique.

Unbelievably, 2006 and 2007 proved to be a difficult years for Spyker, as the company lost millions of dollars (reportedly over seventy million Euros in 2007), sold their Formula One Team even though they owned it barely a year, production of the C12 Zagato was temporarily suspended, and the CEO resigned. With restructuring and recapitalized, the current management, however, feels that they will see profitability.

Interesting tidbits about the Spyker:
• Hand-built bespoke vehicles
• Each has a chassis number
• Custom specifications depending on customer requests
• Customers can follow progress of their vehicle in production through use of The Spycam™
• recognized as a National and Mobile Heritage in 2004 by Dutch Ministry fo Education, Culture and Science
• Spyker C8 Laviolette seen in movie Basic Instinct 2
• Cars have been awarded numerous awards for best in class
• Private owners have placed in many races including Le Mans and LMES 1000km of Nürburgring, Germany

Model names and Years of both companies:

Original Company
• 1903 60/80 HP
• 1907 Spyker 14/18HP Tourer
• 1919 Spyker Aerocoque
• 1921 Spyker C4

New Company
• 2000 Spyker C8 Spyder
• 2001 C8 Laviolette
• 2002 street version Spyker C8 Double12 (also called “S”)
• 2003 C8 Spyder T
• 2005 C12 LaTurbie
• 2005 Spyker C8 Spyder GT2 R
• 2006 D12 Peking-to-Paris
• 2006 Spyker MF1 M16
• 2007 C12 Zagato
• 2007 Spyker F8-VII
• 2009 C8 Aileron
• 2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

Admittedly, with more management changes announced in 2009 and a recently issued press release indicating that there would be more models on the way, some directly competing with Maserati, it remains to be seen whether Spyker will go the distance against older brands.