It's not often that you see an extremely unique and outstanding automobile in great shape appear on the used car market, but this certainly has to be one of those rare instances. A 2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette is going to go under the hammer at the upcoming Audrain Concours Auction by Bonhams on October 1 in Newport, Rhode Island. The car seen here is one of just 58 examples ever made and is extra special as it is just one of four finished in Burnt Almond Orange, and it only has 700 miles on the clock.

Overview

The name Spyker will only ring bells if you’re a true automotive aficionado. Spyker was founded way back in 1880 by brothers Jacobus and Hendrik Spijker. The began as a coachbuilding firm in Amsterdam and started out as a partner for the future Mercedes-Benz. During the time, the brothers also created a number of aircraft models that carried their family names. Inspired by their achievements, the Spijker brothers decided to create their own automobile, and they did so until the company went bankrupt in 1925.

Around the turn of the century, nearly 75 years later, the brand was reintroduced as Spyker Cars, with an all-new mid-engine supercar constructed on a unique chassis, driven by Audi power.

The Laviolette

Spyker debuted the C8 Laviolette as the closed Coupe counterpart to the C8 Spider at the 2001 Amsterdam International Motor Show, with the name Laviolette honoring Belgian engineer Joseph Valentin Laviolette, who helped create several famous Spyker racing cars in the early 1900s.

The Spyker C8 Laviolette Coupe type on offer here is truly a stunning and extremely rare automobile. During the 2001-2009 production cycle, just 58 specimens of the Laviolette the Spyker C8 model were produced, with only four of them finished in the distinctive Burnt Almond Orange exterior color seen on this car. This C8 Laviolette was shipped new to the United States and stayed in Florida until it was bought by a renowned Northeastern-based collector in 2015.

Exterior

We all know that styling can be subjective. I for one, think that the C8 is nothing short of stunning. I remember being utterly blown away by its good looks the first time I saw it on Top Gear, nearly a decade ago. With the body made entirely of aluminum, the C8 is quite appealing and unique when compared to other supercars. With its frameless doors and windscreen, exquisitely crafted wing mirrors, and swan doors, the C8 really is unlike anything else on the road.

With aviation and aluminum, being the dominant theme, the car features unique propeller motif logos throughout the exterior. Its chassis is made up of extruded box sections and folded sheet metal, while the body is hand-formed. Spyker prides itself on build quality and engineering competence. The C8 Laviolette's overall style is forceful and sporty, but the entire package is wonderfully crafted and detailed.

Interior

Step inside through those Upward-swinging swan-style doors to an exposed diamond-quilted black leather interior. The high-back sport seats, door panels, and sills all feature, contrast orange stitching, that looks great against the black leather. The machine-turned aluminum dash with cream-faced dials, a line of chrome toggle switches, the wild propeller-inspired steering wheel, continuing the vintage aircraft concept.

The sleek, beautifully machined, mirror-polished shift-lever mechanism, with its exposed shift rod, that is a characteristic of the C8, and the pedal box are works of art inspired by vintage aircraft. You can’t miss the NACA air inlets and even more propeller motif logos, throughout the cabin.

Performance

The tried-and-tested 4.2-liter Audi V-8 engine and a six-speed manual Getrag transaxle are hidden behind those lovely sport seats. In the nearly pristine engine bay, the free-revving 400 horsepower engine looks showroom fresh and sounds fantastic through the high-mount exhaust. Large, ABS-equipped AP Racing four-wheel disc brakes provide stopping force.

When compared to other supercars from the era, the Spyker C8 appears to be rather small. With an all-aluminum contraction, the C8 tips the scales at just 2,800 pounds and is as light as it is compact. This lightheartedness translates to razor-sharp handling on the road and is comparable to other lightweights from the likes of Lotus and Noble.

Conclusion

Spyker is one amongst a handful of automotive brands, that represents the dying practice of coachbuilding, where artisans over the years have hammered away metal to create some true masterpieces. Well, here is your chance then to be part of that legacy as this extremely rare Spyker Laviolette will be auctioned by Bonhams at its forthcoming Audrain Concours Auction on October 1. It is expected to fetch anywhere between $300,000 to $400,000.

Here’s Jezza’s review on why exactly is the Spyker C8 is brilliant