From concept to reality

In the annals of automotive history, numerous visionaries have emerged, designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs with audacious dreams of automotive greatness. From contemporary luminaries like Horacio Pagani and Christian von Koenigsegg to other remarkable figures, these individuals have led small start-up companies with a David-and-Goliath mentality, achieving extraordinary feats of performance. However, it is rare to witness a resulting car that can truly compete with established supercars from renowned manufacturers in Italy and Germany.

The story of Isdera and its Imperator 108i defies convention. Founded in 1982 by German entrepreneur Eberhard Schulz, Isdera's path to success was far from typical. Schulz crafted a home-built sports car in the late 1960s called the Erator GTE, drawing design inspiration from iconic vehicles like the GT40, and featuring distinctive Gullwing-style doors necessitated by its spaceframe construction. Seeking employment, Schulz drove the car to the headquarters of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. He was eventually hired by Porsche's styling and concept department, where he honed his skills for several years.

In 1978, Schulz teamed up with Rainer Buchmann of b&b, and together, they unveiled the CW311 concept car, a modern interpretation of the legendary 300 SL Coupe and the precursor to the Imperator 108i. Although the car had a Mercedes-Benz V8 engine and even received the company's blessing to wear the three-pointed star emblem, mass production never materialized. Undeterred, Schulz struck out on his own, establishing Isdera with the explicit purpose of realizing his automotive vision.

The illustrious Imperator 108i followed, an exclusive low-production supercar that was manufactured from 1984 to 1993, with only 30 units ever made. Staying true to the original CW311 concept, the Imperator featured a fibreglass body mounted on a steel spaceframe chassis. The wedge-shaped design underwent minor changes, such as the removal of pop-up headlamps and the replacement of taillights with Mercedes-Benz units. The rear of the car housed various Mercedes-Benz V8 engines, starting with the M117 unit, coupled with a ZF five-speed transmission. Over time, Mercedes-Benz increased the engine's displacement, enhancing the car's performance.

Among the 30 Imperator 108i units, the car featured here stands out as a captivating example. After a design facelift in 1992, 17 of the cars were completed, incorporating pop-up headlamps, revised bodywork with added side vents, and other modifications. The initial iteration of the Imperator design, approximately 13 cars, was produced at a rate of just one to two cars per year. This specific model boasts a 5.0 litre Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, generating well over 300 bhp, and flaunts a stunning Porsche Guards Red exterior over a black leather interior with Recaro bucket seats.

This 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i is available as part of Broad Arrow Auctions, RADIUS at the Monterey Jet Center sale held between 17th-18th August 2023. Photos © Broad Arrow Auctions.