Spyker C8 Aileron LM85
The Spyker C8 Aileron, produced in tiny numbers from 2009 to 2014, was the most refined expression of Dutch entrepreneur Victor Muller's vision of an aviation-inspired exotic car. Named with aviation terminology (an aileron is a hinged control surface on an airplane wing), the Aileron continued Spyker's tradition of creating cars that looked and felt like no other vehicle on the road.
The C8 Aileron was powered by an Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower. This naturally aspirated engine provided smooth, linear power delivery that suited the car's grand touring character. The engine was mated to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission, which could also be operated in a sequential manual mode via paddles behind the steering wheel.
The LM85 variant was a special edition that celebrated Spyker's brief return to Le Mans racing. It featured unique styling elements, enhanced performance details, and even more exclusive finishing than the standard Aileron. The name referenced the 85th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Spyker had competed with a racing version of the C8.
What truly set the Spyker apart was its design philosophy. Every surface and detail was inspired by aviation, reflecting the original Spyker company's roots as an aircraft manufacturer in the early 20th century. The propeller motif appeared throughout the car, most prominently in the signature alloy wheels where a central spinner resembled an aircraft propeller. The dashboard featured exposed linkages for the gear selector, turned aluminum panels, and a chronometer-style instrument cluster.
The interior was the Spyker's most extraordinary feature. Every surface was covered in hand-stitched leather, with exposed polished aluminum mechanisms for the shifter and switchgear. The quilted leather seats used an aviation-inspired pattern, and the overall effect was more akin to a luxury watchmaker's workshop than a conventional car interior.
The chassis was an aluminum spaceframe structure clothed in aluminum and composite body panels. Double wishbone suspension at all four corners, combined with the mid-front engine placement, provided balanced handling characteristics. The car was not designed to be the fastest or most powerful exotic, but rather the most characterful and individual.
Spyker's tumultuous corporate history, which included a brief ownership of Saab, meant that production numbers remained minuscule. This exclusivity, combined with the car's extraordinary design and hand-built quality, has made the C8 Aileron a genuine collector's piece that is appreciated for its uniqueness rather than its specifications.
The company's motto, 'Nulla tenaci invia est via' (For the tenacious, no road is impassable), perfectly encapsulated both the car's all-conditions capability and the remarkable determination of its creators.
Extremely rare; fewer than 50 Ailerons believed built. Audi V8 engine and ZF transmission are proven reliable components. Spyker-specific body and interior parts are essentially bespoke and require factory support. Verify complete build documentation. The hand-stitched interior is irreplaceable if damaged. Ensure all aviation-themed details (propeller wheels, exposed mechanisms) are present and correct. Factory service records are essential.
Hand-built at Spyker's facility in Zeewolde, Netherlands. Total C8 Aileron production is estimated at fewer than 50 units across all variants. The Audi V8 engine was sourced directly from Audi's engine plant. Each car required approximately 1,500 hours of hand assembly. Spyker's corporate difficulties meant production was intermittent.