The Vector A Avtech WX-3 is a prototype automobile
created by Vector Motors of Wilmington, California in 1992. Founder Gerald
Wiegert planned for it to have a range of engines up to a 1000 hp 7.0L
DOHC V8 motor, but the full series of engines was never completed.
If the
top-of-the-line engine had been completed, Vector projected that it could have
been fine-tuned to reach speeds at over 250 mph (402 km/h). Instead, the AWX-3
used the same Rodeck resleevable turbocharged V8 from the W8.
The AWX-3 coupe was little more than a slightly
updated rebodied W8, and could be considered Wiegert’s dream car. Wiegert
planned for the AWX-3 to go in production, but Megatech hostilely took over
Vector and fired Wiegert.
Wiegert initiated several lawsuits and copyrighted
the designs, stamping out any hopes of the AWX-3 of going to production without
his approval. Originally painted silver, the AWX-3 Coupe prototype was later
re-painted in the teal color it bears today. It is powered by the same engine
configuration as the W8 prototypes, a better flowing dual plenum and
throttle-body intake tract rather than the ‘EPA friendly’ Corvette based system
utilized on the W8 production cars.
At high boost levels it is capable of developing
1,200 hp. From the block to all of the internals, like every Vector of
Weigert’s, it was built with the highest quality components available.
