After Gerald Wiegert’s Vector was acquired in 1994 by an Indonesian company called Megatech – which also happened to buy Lamborghini for $40 million, the company’s philosophy turned quickly to mixing existing tech and designs.

That is how the M12 was born, and if you are wondering why its name did not start with a W like it was the case for all Vector cars under Wiegert, it’s because Megatech decided to replace the W with an M… for Megatech.

The Vector M12 did not just feature the Diablo’s 5.7-liter V-12 engine: it was developed on an elongated version of the Diablo’s platform. Tweaks had to be made because MegaTech wanted to keep the signature Vector wrap-around windshield as well as the supercar-specific wedge shape.

Coming back to the engine, it cranked out 492 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 425 pound-feet of torque at 4,900 rpm. The M12 needed just 4.5 seconds to blast from zero to 60 mph on its way to a Vmax of 190 mph. Power went to the rear wheels courtesy of a five-speed manual, a setup that did not prevent the M12 from pulling off 12.4-second quarter-mile runs at 118 mph.

Vector M12 specifications

Engine

5.7-liter V-12

Horsepowewr

492 HP @ 5,200 RPM

Torque

425 LB-FT @ 4,900 RPM

0 to 60 mph

4.5 seconds

Top Speed

190 mph

Transmission

5-speed manual

Quarter mile time

12.4 seconds


Dancing on the border between vulgarity and exotic goodness, the M12 failed to make a splash. Megatech built just 18 units (four prototypes and only 14 road-going car) and Hagerty reports that two of them are known to have been severely damaged over the years. What is more, the M12 came with a sticker of $189,000, pretty far off from helping its marketing and sales cause back in 1996-1999.

Now, the reason we really brought you here is that Barrett-Jackson is auctioning off a Vector M12 and it is chassis #12 out of 14, the second of the four M12s Megatech produced in 1999.

According to its card, it was commissioned by the Prince of Brunei with a black exterior and a Lipstick Red cockpit. Oh, and Scuderia Automotive Service gave it a “full major engine-out service in 2019” which also included a rebuilt clutch, upgraded ceramic flywheel, and several tweaks that make the cabin comfier for taller people. There is no reserve set and if you are not in the financial position to make a move for the car, then maybe that rich friend of yours will.