FAB WHEELS DIGEST (F.W.D.): Isdera Spyder (1982-92)

The company Isdera was founded in 1981 in Leonberg by Eberhard Schulz, a former designer of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. In the late 60s he worked on prototypes of Mercedes-Benz C111. Unfortunately, after several versions of the prototypes (including rotary engines), their production stopped. When the 1978 Mercedes C111 showed the Schultz modified - Schulz Studie CW311, the novelty received 700 orders, but the German automaker that seemed too little to run the car in the series.

Without hesitation, Eberhard Schulz created his own company Isdera - an anagram of Ingenieurbüro für Styling, DEsign und RAcing (Engineering company for Styling, Design and Racing). In 1982, the concept vehicles Imperator 108i and Spyder 033 with engines powered by Mercedes-Benz were presented to the public. The machinery interested potential buyers. A year later, production of the Spyder 036i started. And in 1984, production of the Imperator 108i started.

The first models had a four-cylinder from the VW Golf GTI with 100 kW (136 hp). From 1985, the 2.3-liter-16 engine from the Mercedes-Benz 190 E was used in the Spyder 033-16 models. From 1987, the 3.0-liter six-cylinder from the 300 E was used. After four years, the new four-valve six-cylinder engine, also from of Mercedes-Benz, was used, producing, depending on the model year, 162-169 kW (220-230 hp). In addition, the Spyder 036i used a 3.6-liter AMG six-cylinder from the mid-1990s, with 210 kW (265 hp) was available. A five-speed transmission featured in each model for the power transmission to the rear axle.

A 162-kW version of the Spyder could reach about 260 km/h and sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. But even the first variant with VW engine could create more than 200 km/h. (carstyling.ru & wikipedia)

With no interest in putting the CW311 into production itself, Mercedes-Benz allowed Schulz to produce the vehicle in 1984 under his own brand Isdera as the model Imperator 108i, and with the Mercedes star badging on the front grille (later replaced with Isdera flying eagle badges). (wikipedia)