The almost forgotten Isdera Imperator wedge-style supercar

Forgotten ONES Among the many unique supercars that exist, each one of course has its own story. But what is certain is that they have an unusual shape that makes them unique which then becomes the main attraction for those who see it. One of these particular examples that we've seen on the Obscure Supercar's status on Tweeter is the Isdera Imperator 108i.

The Isdera Imperator 108i (in pictured is 1984 model) is began as a Mercedes concept car, which Eberhard Schulz, the designer then built and sold by himself under his owned brand. (Picture from: www.a777aa77.ru)

Let's talk about the origins of those unique supercar, it is a German supercar based on the Mercedes-Benz concept and powered by engines from the Stuttgart company. Initially the car is designed by Eberhard Schulz who was actually working as a design engineer for Porsche as the Mercedez-Benz CW311 Concept in 1978.

1978 Mercedes-Benz CW331 Concept is the forerunner of the Isdera Imperator 108i designed by Eberhard Schulz. (Picture from: mb143.ru)

Unfortunately the automaker wasn't too impressed with the design and left it without a continuation, but they decided to give Schulz the green light to produce it under his own brand. So the designer continues the project, later he founded his own automotive company named Isdera AG. to produce the car by using his own brand.

1978 Mercedes-Benz CW331 Concept is the forerunner of the Isdera Imperator 108i designed by Eberhard Schulz. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

The first assembled units were ready in 1984 and production continued through 1993 with a total of 30 unit ever produced during the time. And the car applies a fiberglass-made body over a tubular steel frame, and in appearance the Isdera Imperator 108i looks comparable to the exotic sports cars of its time.

The Isdera Imperator 108i (in pictured is 1984 model) is produced ranging of 1984 to 1993 with a total of 30 unit ever produced during the time. (Picture from: OnlyMotorBike)

The only slight changes that seem most striking from the original CW311 concept car are the replacement of the pop-up headlights with two fixed-headlights with glass shields, and used conventional Mercedes-sourced taillights.

The interior of Isdera Imperator 108i (in pictured is 1984 model) offers comfortable seating for two with the driver encapsulated by a wrap around dashboard like a fighter jet. (Picture from: Flickr)

During its nine-year production run, the Isdera Imperator 108i is powered by a Mercedes-Benz M117 V8 mid-mounted engine with a capacity of 5.0-liter mated to a five-speed ZF gearbox and sends power to the rear axle, which can give it an acceleration from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds, and can be sped up to a top speed of 176 mph or 283 kph. 

The Isdera Imperator 108i (in pictured is 1984 model) is is powered by a Mercedes-Benz M117 V8 mid-mounted engine with a capacity of 5.0-liter mated to a five-speed ZF gearbox. (Picture from: ObscureSupercar)

And what is most unique about the Imperator 108i from other supercars is the inclusion of a weird 'periscope' feature that is mounted on the roof instead of conventional mirrors which are also able to provide the driver with a rear view, the feature also creates a bulge on the front roof.

1991 Isdera Imperator 108i which was auctioned at the Bonham's auction has a facelift with the pop-up headlights featured again, without the periscope on the roof replaced by conventional mirrors at the sides and the body slightly redesigned to accentuate a more curvaceous shape. (Picture from: Bonham)

The car also features a gullwing design door, which is the second road-legal car since it was first introduced to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Meanwhile, the car's cabin features a luxurious interior and adopts many interior components from the Porsche 928.

1991 Isdera Imperator 108i which was auctioned at the Bonham's Monaco Sale 'Les Grandes Marques Monaco' in March 2021 and sold for €690 thousand. (Picture from: IdMotor1)

Due to its high production costs, made the Isdera Imperator 108i production had to end in 1993, with a total of only 30 units being produced, two of which were exported to customers in Japan. After the Imperator 108i, the German company next supercar is the Isdera Commendatore 112i. 

As qouted of Bonhams, the silver colored Isdera Imperator 108i of 1991 was auctioned during the Bonham's Monaco Sale 'Les Grandes Marques à Monaco' on March 2021. At the auction event the car managed to be sold at the price of €690,000 or about $811,600 at current prices.

The car has undergone a facelift with the pop-up headlights featured again, without the periscope on the roof replaced by conventional mirrors at the sides and the body slightly redesigned to accentuate a more curvaceous shape. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ISDERA | ID.MOTOR1 | OBSCURE SUPERCAR | ROADANDTRACK | BONHAM | SILODROME  ]

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