Isdera Imperator 108i
The Isdera Imperator 108i is one of the most extraordinary and least-known supercars ever built. Created by Eberhard Schulz, a former Porsche engineer, the Imperator was the realization of a concept car Schulz had designed while working at Mercedes-Benz in the 1970s. When Mercedes declined to produce it, Schulz founded Isdera (Ingenieurburo fur Styling, Design und Racing) and built it himself.
The Imperator 108i was a mid-engined supercar powered by Mercedes-Benz's M117 5.0-liter V8, the same engine used in the 500 SEC and 500 SL. Producing 326 hp in later Imperator specification, the engine propelled the lightweight coupe to a claimed top speed of 280 km/h. The engine was mounted amidships, driving the rear wheels through a ZF five-speed manual gearbox.
The most distinctive feature of the Imperator was its roof-mounted periscope rear-view mirror. Instead of conventional door mirrors (which would have disrupted the car's aerodynamics), Schulz designed an aircraft-style periscope that protruded from the roof and provided the driver with a rearward view. This feature, combined with the gullwing doors, gave the Imperator an unmistakable silhouette.
The bodywork was designed by Schulz with the assistance of the University of Stuttgart's wind tunnel. The result was a sleek, low-slung shape with excellent aerodynamics. The gullwing doors were practical as well as dramatic, providing easy entry into the low-slung cockpit. The body was constructed from fiberglass over a tubular steel space frame.
Only 17 Imperator 108i cars were built during the model's production run — making it one of the rarest supercars in existence. Each car was hand-assembled by Schulz and a small team, and specifications varied between individual cars. Some later examples received the larger M119 5.0-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 from the Mercedes 500E, producing up to 380 hp.
The Isdera Imperator occupies a unique place in automotive history. It proved that a single passionate engineer could build a genuine supercar that competed with the best from established manufacturers. The periscope mirror, gullwing doors, and Mercedes-Benz V8 power created a car unlike anything else on the road. Today, the Imperator is one of the most sought-after and valuable supercars of the 1980s among knowledgeable collectors.
With only 17 built, finding an Imperator for sale is an extraordinary event. Provenance and documentation are absolutely critical — Eberhard Schulz maintained records of each car built. The Mercedes-Benz V8 engine components are well-supported, but Isdera-specific parts (body panels, periscope mirror, gullwing door mechanisms) are essentially unobtainable except through Isdera directly. The fiberglass bodywork requires specialist repair. The tubular space frame should be inspected for corrosion. Given the extreme rarity and value, any purchase should involve the most thorough inspection possible by a specialist familiar with the car.
Only 17 Imperator 108i units were hand-built between 1984 and 1993. Each car was essentially bespoke, with slight variations in specification. Early cars used the M117 SOHC V8 (initially 5.0L, later some with 5.6L); later cars received the M119 DOHC 32V V8. Eberhard Schulz built each car with a small team at his workshops, first in Leonberg, then in Hildesheim. The car was never officially type-approved in the United States.