FOR SALE 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2, Silber/Black, 1,916 miles (Scotts Valley, CA)

[gsxr]

Pretty wild. Needs a 6.0L upgrade!



VIN = W09108215KWJ02021

1991 Isdera Imperator 108i _7273

Click here to view high resolution photos 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2 VIN: W09108215KWJ02021 Believed to be 1 of 5 Series 2 examples ever produced Believed to be 1 of 13 total examples built in entire 9 year production Only 1,918 kilometers on the odometer Delivered new to Japan...

www.canepa.com

1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2

VIN: W09108215KWJ02021

Believed to be 1 of 5 Series 2 examples ever produced
Believed to be 1 of 13 total examples built in entire 9 year production
Only 1,918 kilometers on the odometer
Delivered new to Japan, specified in unique left-hand drive configuration
Partial restoration carried out in 2021
Built by automotive designer Eberhard Schulz
Mercedes-Benz M119 5.0L 32-valve V8 engine
5-speed ZF manual transmission
Originally built to pay homage to Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

The concept car to production car journey is a long, arduous, and detail-oriented path that many vehicles never see their way through. High aspirations with concept cars are often met with the harsh realities of economic and demand uncertainty, production issues, and some companies simply go bankrupt before a single panel is finished. Not so with German company Isdera and its Imperator 108i, which not only transitioned from concept to production, but coachbuilt 13 examples over 9 years. Conceived by former Porsche designer Eberhard Schulz, Isdera’s Imperator 108i went from daydream to driving machine.

Isdera was founded in 1982 by automotive designer Eberhard Schulz, whose career began at Porsche after initially impressing several individuals by his original hand-built concept car, the Erator GTE. During his tenure at Porsche, Schulz had aspirations to build his second concept car that drew upon the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, and spent his spare time on his concept. Schulz’s time at Porsche drew to an end in the early 1970s when he departed the Germany sports car company to combine forces with Rainer Buchmann, a tuner, to create B&B GmbH & Co Auto KG. This automotive pairing pioneered the development of the CW311, a special concept car that received critical acclaim at the Frankfurt Auto Show that it was revealed. The reception was so positive that Mercedes-Benz even allowed the prototype to wear the Mercedes-Benz insignia as it remained a “one-off” car. This paved the future for Ebenhard into what would become the Isdera company.

In 1982 Schulz parted ways with B&B and took the CW311 concept with him, forming his own company, Isdera, which focused on small-scale production vehicles, design, and engineering services. In 1984 Isdera presented its first car: the Isdera Imperator 108i. Heavily based on the original CW311 prototype, only 13 examples would be made over the following 9 years with various design element changes and Mercedes-Benz-sourced V8 engines. All Isdera Imperator 108i cars featured a tubular steel space frame with a bonded fiberglass body, and of course the iconic gullwing doors. With a 5.0L Mercedes-Benz M119 V8 engine creating 300hp and a 5-speed ZF manual transmission, Isdera claimed a top speed of 175 miles per hour and a sprint to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds.

This particular Isdera Imperator 108i is a Series 2 car, which was the first model year to receive the facelift to update several aspects of the car of which only 5 examples were produced. The most identifiable change is the pop-up headlights, which are revealed after front covers drop down below. Other changes include more subdued body lines, a larger front grille opening, an offset NACA duct on the hood, and side vents above the front wheel arches. The exhaust was also rerouted from the rear of the car to a twin exhaust in front of the right rear wheel, harkening back to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing SLR. These changes brought the Imperator 108i closer to the CW311 prototype.

This Isdera Imperator 108i was originally delivered to Japan, believed to be only 1 of 2 of the entire 13 car production. The car was also unusually specified in left-hand drive configuration, and in the traditional German way painted in a classic shade of silver over a deep black leather interior. Under the clamshell engine hood features a Mercedes-Benz 5.0L V8 engine, code M119, a 32-valve V8 engine that sends approximately 300HP through the ZF 5-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels.

In 2016 the car was registered in the UK, but then moved to an owner in Germany. During this time the car received a partial restoration courtesy of MePoPres F. Ulbricht GmbH. In 2021 the Isdera joined the collection of the current owner, where invoices dated in September show the car was inspected and the cooling system, climate control system, and brakes were serviced in the same year.

Low production, coachbuilt vehicles are always a unique opportunity to acquire something that the world has seen so few of. Starting from a humble concept car that later received a seal of approval from Mercedes-Benz, transforming into the Imperator 108i that we see today is nothing if not an amazing automotive journey for founder Ebenhard Schulz. With only 1,918 kilometers on the odometer and well preserved, it is a snapshot of the German coachbuilder and what the 1980s concept car area was all about. With a striking presence, Mercedes-Benz V8 power, and its extremely low production, this Isdera Imperator 108i is a shining example of a car that is highly desirable for the discerning collector to add to any collection.

 

[sheward]

I've seen the CW311 thru the years and wasn't much drawn to the design. Not sure I knew about this Imperator 108i series 2. I find it tasteful for a concept car and the association to Mercedes and the M119 is cool. Interesting story of the history which I never looked into.

 

[Rouven036]

Isdera was a few times in German speaking podcasts. From the beginning and lastly about the Comendatore 112i with the M120.
But also the smaller spiders were initially available with vw golf engines but soon also with MB 2.3-16, later with the 3L 24V and even one or two with the 3.6L M104.
Also beautiful is the Erator, a single car which actuality progressed through various stages.
The Imperator started with the M100 and got later the 117 and 119 derivates to up to 6L.
Outstanding cars!

 

[Rouven036]

Somewhere I saw recently that this spyder is on sale again. Rear axle is mb multilink instead of 928 on the 108i Imperator

1989 Isdera Spyder 036i | Monaco 2022 | RM Sotheby's

1989 Isdera Spyder 036i for sale at RM Sotheby's Monaco

rmsothebys.com