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1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2
VIN: W09108215KWJ02021
Believed to be 1 of 13 Series 2 examples ever produced
1 of 30 total examples built in entire 9 year production
Only 1,918 kilometers on the odometer
Delivered new to Japan, specified in unique left-hand drive configuration
Partial restoration carried out in 2021
Built by automotive designer Eberhard Schulz
Mercedes-Benz M119 5.0L 32-valve V8 engine
5-speed ZF manual transmission
Originally built to pay homage to Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
The concept car to production car journey is a long, arduous, and detail-oriented path that many vehicles never see their way through. High aspirations with concept cars are often met with the harsh realities of economic and demand uncertainty, production issues, and some companies simply go bankrupt before a single panel is finished. Not so with German company Isdera and its Imperator 108i, which not only transitioned from concept to production, but coachbuilt 30 examples over 9 years. Conceived by former Porsche designer Eberhard Schulz, Isdera’s Imperator 108i went from daydream to driving machine.
Isdera was founded in 1982 by automotive designer Eberhard Schulz, whose career began at Porsche after initially impressing several individuals by his original hand-built concept car, the Erator GTE. During his tenure at Porsche, Schulz had aspirations to build his second concept car that drew upon the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, and spent his spare time on his concept. Schulz’s time at Porsche drew to an end in the early 1970s when he departed the Germany sports car company to combine forces with Rainer Buchmann, a tuner, to create B&B GmbH & Co Auto KG. This automotive pairing pioneered the development of the CW311, a special concept car that received critical acclaim at the Frankfurt Auto Show that it was revealed. The reception was so positive that Mercedes-Benz even allowed the prototype to wear the Mercedes-Benz insignia as it remained a “one-off” car. This paved the future for Ebenhard into what would become the Isdera company.
In 1982 Schulz parted ways with B&B and took the CW311 concept with him, forming his own company, Isdera, which focused on small-scale production vehicles, design, and engineering services. In 1984 Isdera presented its first car: the Isdera Imperator 108i. Heavily based on the original CW311 prototype, only 30 examples would be made over the following 9 years with various design element changes and Mercedes-Benz-sourced V8 engines. All Isdera Imperator 108i cars featured a tubular steel space frame with a bonded fiberglass body, and of course the iconic gullwing doors. With a 5.0L Mercedes-Benz M119 V8 engine creating 300hp and a 5-speed ZF manual transmission, Isdera claimed a top speed of 175 miles per hour and a sprint to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds.
This particular Isdera Imperator 108i is a Series 2 car, which was the first model year to receive the facelift to update several aspects of the car. The most identifiable change is the pop-up headlights, which are revealed after front covers drop down below. Other changes include more subdued body lines, a larger front grille opening, an offset NACA duct on the hood, and side vents above the front wheel arches. The exhaust was also rerouted from the rear of the car to a twin exhaust in front of the right rear wheel, harkening back to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing SLR. These changes brought the Imperator 108i closer to the CW311 prototype.
This Isdera Imperator 108i was originally delivered to Japan, believed to be only 1 of 2 of the entire 30 car production. The car was also unusually specified in left-hand drive configuration, and in the traditional German way painted in a classic shade of silver over a deep black leather interior. Under the clamshell engine hood features a Mercedes-Benz 5.0L V8 engine, code M119, a 32-valve V8 engine that sends approximately 300HP through the ZF 5-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels.
In 2016 the car was registered in the UK, but then moved to an owner in Germany. During this time the car received a partial restoration courtesy of MePoPres F. Ulbricht GmbH. In 2021 the Isdera joined the collection of the current owner, where invoices dated in September show the car was inspected and the cooling system, climate control system, and brakes were serviced in the same year.
Low production, coachbuilt vehicles are always a unique opportunity to acquire something that the world has seen so few of. Starting from a humble concept car that later received a seal of approval from Mercedes-Benz, transforming into the Imperator 108i that we see today is nothing if not an amazing automotive journey for founder Ebenhard Schulz. With only 1,918 kilometers on the odometer and well preserved, it is a snapshot of the German coachbuilder and what the 1980s concept car area was all about. With a striking presence, Mercedes-Benz V8 power, and its extremely low production, this Isdera Imperator 108i is a shining example of a car that is highly desirable for the discerning collector to add to any collection.
