The first thing you notice while looking at this Vector M12 is that it may be the most American looking car you've ever seen. The exterior paint features the stars and stripes of the American flag and the Statue of Liberty on the hood and sides of the cars. Despite all of this American imagery, it is powered by a Lamborghini engine that is clearly Italian. This Vector M12 "American Anthem" powered by Italy will be sold at auction by Barrett-Jackson at their Scottsdale, Arizona, event from Jan. 23-31.
What is Vector?
Vector Motors was an American automaker founded in 1971 by Jerry Weigert in Wilmington, California. It remained in business until Wiegert's passing in 2021. Even though the brand was technically in business for 50 years, it didn't produce many vehicles.
The goal was to be an American competitor to Ferrari and Lamborghini, but it never reached the popularity of those Italian giants. Still, there are a lot of American car enthusiasts who respect what this small company tried to achieve.
American supercar, Italian engine
This M12 is the very first out of 14 to be built between 1995 to 1999. It has the nickname "American Anthem" and it's very easy to see why. The car is painted red, white and blue with stars and stripes around the vehicle to match the American flag. On the hood and each side of the car, the Statue of Liberty is represented.
Hidden under all of this patriotic imagery is a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V12 from a Lamborghini Diablo. While the car is American-made, it is powered by a powerful Italian engine that gives 492 horsepower. The car was built on an extended Diablo chassis and has very similar dimensions to the Lamborghini.
The car also used a ZF 5-speed manual transmission, independent coil over suspension, 18-inch three-spoke wheels and carbon-fiber-reinforced fiberglass bodywork.
How much will it sell for?
While the Vector M12 lacks the prestige of the Lamborghini Diablo that is its inspiration, it's a much rarer vehicle, costs much less money and still has a V12 in it. In 2024 two M12s were sold at auction by RM Sotheby's for $246,400 and $295,000. So it's safe to assume chassis #001 will sell north of $300,000.
Keenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram at @keenanautos. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Italian-powered Vector M12 'American Anthem' to be sold at auction
