9. 2009 Spyker C8 Laviolette and Double 12s
To bring some diversity into our selection, we continue with a modern exotic sportscar from a short-lived Dutch manufacturer. The Spyker C8 Laviolette was the first model of the Dutch brand. The coupé version of the C8 was named after the company’s Belgian chief engineer Joseph Valentin Laviolette.
This car was first shown to the public in 2001, and this first generation remained in production until 2012. The production model was powered by an engine derived from Audi, taking the Spyker to speeds beyond 300 km/h and accelerating it to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
It’s not that we have never seen Spykers before (we could properly photograph some in Sotheby’s Paris 2020 auction). Still, its rarity and exotic styling awarded it a special place in our hearts.
Special mention goes to the 2007 Spyker C8 Double 12s, Spyker’s high-end thoroughbred version of the C8. Unveiled a year later and built between 2002 and 2007, the Double 12S is a road-legal version of the Double 12R race car, using the same modified 4.0L Audi V8 peaking beyond 600 BHP. Its extravagant lining makes it one of our favourites of the show and a top candidate for this list.
