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Spyker
View on WikipediaSpyker or Spijker was a Dutch carriage, automobile and aircraft manufacturer, started in 1880 by blacksmiths Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker. Originally located in Hilversum, the company relocated to Trompenburg, Amsterdam in 1898.
Key Information
Notable products of Spyker were building the Golden Coach for state ceremonial use for the Dutch royalty in 1898. In 1903, the Spyker 60 HP race-car was the world's first F4 layout, four-wheel drive car, featuring the first application of a six-cylinder engine, as well as the first four-wheel braking system. The 1919 C1 “Aerocoque” was one of the world's first cars with aerodynamically streamlined bodywork.[citation needed]
History
[edit]
In 1880, Dutch brothers Hendrik Jan and Jacobus Spijker, blacksmiths by profession, start their company for building and maintaining carriages in Hilversum, The Netherlands.
In 1898, Spyker manufactured the "Golden Coach", still in use as one of the two prime ceremonial state coaches of the Dutch monarchy.
In 1899 they started building automobiles, and in 1900 put their first models on display, two-cylinder 3 hp and 5 hp similar to the Benz.
Four-cylinder models were introduced in 1903, along with the six-cylinder Spyker 60 HP, a racer which was the world's first ever four-wheel drive car with a single engine[1] and four-wheel brakes.[2] It was the first ever car built with front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout, and its engine with six cylinders was also a world's first.[3]
The 1905 cars featured a round radiator grille, which became a feature of many of the pre war cars. In 1907, an 18 hp model competed in the 15,000 km Peking to Paris monster race, finishing second in the most grueling race of its time.[4]
Hendrik-Jan Spijker died in 1907 on his return journey from England when the ferry he was on, the SS Berlin, sank, and this loss led to the bankruptcy of the original company. A group of investors bought the company and restarted production, but Jacobus Spijker was no longer involved.
In 1913, the company was having financial problems again, and in 1915 was taken over by new owners and renamed Nederlandsche Automobiel en Vliegtuigfabriek Trompenburg (Dutch Car and Aircraft company). Under the new owners, the previous complex model range was simplified and a new car, the 13/30 C1, introduced; sales were disappointing.
In 1914, Spyker merged with Dutch Aircraft Factory N.V. and the company motto became Nulla Tenaci invia est via latin for "For the tenacious no road is impassable". During World War I, in which the Netherlands were neutral, some 100 Spyker fighter aircraft and 200 aircraft engines were produced.[5]
In 1919, after World War I, a two-seater car, the C1 "Aerocoque", featuring aerodynamically streamlined bodywork influenced by aircraft design, was shown for the first time. It was intended as a show car, but was also produced on a very limited scale.[4] The car's bodywork, featuring swooping fenders and an aircraft-like tail, infused by the company's knowledge of aircraft aerodynamics, was mainly designed by Jaap Tjaarda van Sterkenburg, brother of John Tjaarda and uncle of Tom Tjaarda, both also car designers.[6]
On November 27, 1920 the first Spyker 30/40HP C4 was completed, sporting a 6-cylinder Maybach engine of 5,742 cc (350.4 cu in). The car was nicknamed "Tenax" (latin for "tenacious") and improved the 15,000-mile (24,000 km) long-distance endurance record, held since 1907 by the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost by some 6,000 km. The C4 completed 30,360 km in the Dutch winter weather in just over a month.[5]
In 1922, racing driver Selwyn Edge took to Brooklands in a Spyker C4 fitted with streamlined racing bodywork, setting a new "Double 12" average world speed record, covering 1,782 miles (2,868 km) at an average speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) for the 24 hour aggregate of two 12-hour periods.[7][5]
Also in 1922, the company went bankrupt again and was acquired by Spyker's distributor in Britain, who renamed the company Spyker Automobielfabriek. Production continued and prices dropped but the company continued to decline. Final production was of the C2 two-ton truck and the C4 car, which lasted until 1926 when funds finally ran out.
It is estimated total Spyker car production was at most 2000 cars.
In 1999, a new company, Spyker Cars, was founded, unrelated to the original company but for the brand name, motto and logo.
License production and auto rental
[edit]Before Hendrik-Jan Spijker's death, he and his brother had developed a special relationship with Dutch electrical pioneer, Rento Hofstede Crull.[8] The Spijker brothers had known Hofstede Crull already when he was a young man racing on the velocipede circuits in the Netherlands and in Germany while he was an engineering student first in Mittweida and later in Hannover at the Technische Hochschule in the 1880s. Hofstede Crull had already owned his first automobile in the 1890s. In the first decade, he had accumulated a collection of automobiles which included a number of the Spijker racing models. He housed the collection in one of the wings of the Heemaf,[9] one of the companies he had founded. Although this was all a hobby for him initially, he began assembling Spijkers at Heemaf with the approval of the Spijker brothers and subsequently with that of those who had taken over Spijker. He provided them with improvements on the automobiles. Heemaf's board of directors[10] complained that Hofstede Crull was using a part of the factory as his personal garage and auto park. To circumvent the criticism, he established the Spijker Automobiel Verhuur Maatschappij which along with Amsterdam's Trompenburg Bedrijf became the first auto rental companies in the Netherlands.[11] One of his other companies was the American Refined Motor Company, which helped improve mechanical motor parts. This all stemmed from an automobile accident that he, Hofstede Crull, and his chauffeur, a man named Poorthuis, had in 1909 when he subsequently discovered a defect in the Spijker's steering mechanism[12] which he improved.
Car models
[edit]


| Vehicle | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Spijker 3 hp | 1900–1902 | 2-cylinder |
| Spijker 5 hp | 1900-1900 | |
| Spijker 5 hp | 1900-1900 | boxer engine |
| Spijker 6 hp | 1902-1902 | water-cooled engine. |
| Spijker 10/12 | 1903-1903 | 2-cylinder |
| Spyker 20/24 | 1903–1904 | 4-cylinder |
| Spijker 36/50 | 1903-1903 | 6-cylinder 5,073 cc (309.6 cu in) |
| Spyker 60/80 | 1903–1907 | 6-cylinder 8,821 cc (538.3 cu in) |
| Spyker 16/20 | 1903–1907 | 4-cylinder |
| Spyker 30/36 | 1903–1907 | |
| Spyker 14/18 | 1904–1907 | 4-cylinder 2,544 cc (155.2 cu in) |
| Spyker 20/28 | 1904–1907 | 4-cylinder |
| Spyker 25/36 | 1904–1905 | 4-cylinder 7,964 cc (486.0 cu in). Fourwheel drive option. |
| Spyker 32/40 | 1904–1905 | 4-cylinder. Fourwheel drive option. |
| Spyker 15/22 | 1905–1907 | 4-cylinder 3,456 cc (210.9 cu in). |
| Spyker 10/15 | 1907-1907 | 4-cylinder. |
| Spyker 15/22 | 1907-1907 | 4-cylinder 2,799 cc (170.8 cu in). |
| Spyker 20/30 | 1907-1907 | 4-cylinder 4,562 cc (278.4 cu in). |
| Spyker 30/42 | 1907-1907 | 4-cylinder 6,902 cc (421.2 cu in). |
| Spyker 40/80 | 1907-1907 | 4-cylinder 10,603 cc (647.0 cu in). |
| Spyker 15/22 | 1907–1910 | 4-cylinder 2,799 cc (170.8 cu in). |
| Spyker 60/80 | 1909-1909 | 4-cylinder. |
| Spyker 10/15 | 1910–1912 | 4-cylinder. Delivery van. |
| Spyker 15/25 | 1910–1912 | 4-cylinder. Delivery van. |
| Spyker 12 | 1910–1914 | 4-cylinder. |
| Spyker 16 | 1910–1912 | 4-cylinder. |
| Spyker 18 | 1910–1912 | 4-cylinder. |
| Spyker 25 | 1910–1912 | 4-cylinder. 4,589 cc (280.0 cu in). |
| Spyker 25/30 | 1911–1912 | 6-cylinder. |
| Spyker 20 | 1912–1916 | 4-cylinder. 3,435 cc (209.6 cu in). |
| Spyker 30 | 1912–1916 | 4-cylinder. 6,082 cc (371.1 cu in). |
| Spyker 40 | 1912–1916 | 6-cylinder. 7,238 cc (441.7 cu in). |
| Spyker 14 | 1913–1916 | 4-cylinder. |
| Spyker 12 | 1914–1916 | 4-cylinder. 1,795 cc (109.5 cu in). |
| Spyker 13/30 C1 | 1916–1921 | 4-cylinder. 3,560 cc (217 cu in). |
| Spyker 14/34 C1 | 1920–1921 | 4-cylinder. 3,562 cc (217.4 cu in). |
| Spyker C2 | 1916–1926 | 4-cylinder. 4,607 cc (281.1 cu in). Two ton truck. |
| Spyker 30/40 C4 | 1920–1926 | 6-cylinder Maybach engine. 5,742 cc (350.4 cu in). |
Aircraft
[edit]- Spijker V.1 - 1917 single seat fighter
- Spijker V.2 - 1917 trainer
- Spijker V.3 - 1919 single seat fighter
- Spijker V.4 - two seat reconnaissance aircraft, construction abandoned before completion.
Spyker on stamps and in film
[edit]Both Spyker brand automobiles appear on Dutch postage stamps (first day of issue: May 10, 2004).
The car driven by Kenneth More in the 1953 film Genevieve, about the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, is a 1905 Spyker 12/16-HP Double Phaeton. The green-coloured vehicle was repainted yellow twice, first for the movie and again for the 2023 Run to commemorate the 70th anniversary of its cinematic release.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Malcolm McKay (March 2008). "Four-wheel drive – The Knowledge". Octane magazine. Archived from the original on 2009-05-03. Retrieved 2009-05-24.
- ^ Georgano, G. N. Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886-1930. (London: Grange-Universal, 1985)
- ^ Henry, A. The 4-Wheel Drives : Racing's Formula for Failure?. (London: Macmillan, 1975)
- ^ a b Heritage – Spykercars
- ^ a b c Spyker's Interesting History – Autobahnbound.com
- ^ "Spyker schilderijen van Araun Gordijn onthuld" [Spyker paintings by Araun Gordijn unveiled]. AutoZine (in Dutch). 2012-06-25. Archived from the original on 2017-11-26. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
- ^ The Manchester Guardian, 21 July 1922, Page 7.
- ^ nl:Rento Hofstede Crull
- ^ nl:Heemaf
- ^ Heemaf was a public-traded company
- ^ Jaap Tuik. Een bijzonder energiek ondernemer - Rento Wolter Hendrik Hofstede Crull (1863-1938): pioneer van de elekriciteits voorziening in Nederland- #3: Ontspanning: fiets en auto als liefhebberij. Zutphen, Nederland: Historischcentrumoverijssel & Walburg Pers., 2009. pp.: 25-31 ISBN 90-5730-640-9
- ^ "Holechistorie.nl".
- ^ "Genevieve pin-up regains its movie idol looks," RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Friday 28 July 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
Bibliography
[edit]External links
[edit]Spyker
View on GrokipediaOrigins and early development
Founding as carriage makers (1880-1898)
Spyker was founded in 1880 by the brothers Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker in Hilversum, Netherlands, where they operated as blacksmiths specializing in the construction and maintenance of horse-drawn carriages.[1][6] The brothers leveraged their expertise in metalworking to produce durable, finely crafted vehicles tailored to the needs of affluent clients.[7] The company's early output focused on high-quality carriages commissioned by the Dutch elite, emphasizing superior craftsmanship in wood and metal components. A pinnacle achievement came in 1898 with the construction of the Golden Coach, a lavish berline presented to Queen Wilhelmina upon her inauguration. Built from teak wood and adorned with intricate gold leaf in Dutch Renaissance style, the coach featured eight allegorical sculptures symbolizing the bond between the Dutch people and their monarch, along with representations of the nation's colonies.[8][9] This commission underscored Spyker's reputation for opulent, symbolic designs that blended functionality with artistic detail.[1] As demand grew, the business expanded, relocating from Hilversum to larger facilities in Amsterdam's Trompenburg area in 1898 to accommodate increased production scale.[10] This move positioned the company closer to urban markets and royal patrons, facilitating further growth in carriage manufacturing. The Spijker brothers' background as blacksmiths introduced advanced metalworking techniques, such as precision forging for structural elements, which enhanced carriage durability and laid groundwork for future mechanical applications.[11] By the late 1890s, these foundational efforts in carriage building had established Spyker as a premier coachbuilder, setting the stage for its pivot toward motorized vehicles.[1]Transition to automobiles (1898-1907)
In the late 1890s, the Spijker brothers, leveraging their expertise in carriage manufacturing since 1880, began transitioning to motorized vehicles amid growing demand for automobiles in Europe. By 1899, they had acquired and assembled their initial motor cars under license from Benz, marking the company's entry into automotive production with rear-wheel-drive models featuring early internal combustion engines. This shift was exemplified by their first independent design in 1900, a 5 hp voiturette powered by an air-cooled flat-twin engine from the American Duplex company, which demonstrated impressive reliability by averaging 24 km/h over a 547 km endurance trial in the Netherlands.[12][13] A pivotal advancement came in 1903 with the Spyker 60 HP, recognized as the world's first production four-wheel-drive passenger car and the first to incorporate a six-cylinder engine. Designed by engineer Joseph Valentin Laviolette and commissioned specifically for competitive racing, this model featured an 8,676 cc inline-six engine producing 60 hp, chain drive to all wheels, live axles, and four-wheel brakes—innovations that provided superior traction and stability on varied terrains. Produced in limited quantities for both luxury touring and motorsport, only a handful of units were built due to high costs, but it set engineering benchmarks, including advanced suspension systems that enhanced high-speed handling.[12][14][15] Although the 60 HP was intended for the grueling 1903 Paris-Madrid race—a 1,307 km event from Versailles to Bordeaux—it was not completed in time and debuted later that year in Paris. Spyker vehicles nonetheless gained racing prominence soon after, securing third place in the 1904 Blackpool Speed Trials and victory in the 1906 Birmingham Hill Climb, showcasing the reliability of their four-wheel-drive system and suspension innovations. These successes highlighted Spyker's engineering prowess but also strained resources through rapid expansion and custom production.[12][14] The company's aggressive growth culminated in financial difficulties, exacerbated by the tragic death of co-founder Hendrik-Jan Spijker in February 1907 aboard the sinking ferry SS Berlin during a return voyage from England.[16] This loss, combined with overextension from innovative but costly developments, led to bankruptcy later that year. Spyker was subsequently restructured under new ownership, allowing limited continuation of operations before further challenges arose.[17][18]World War I and wartime production
Pre-war automotive innovations
Spyker's pre-war automotive innovations built upon the foundational 1903 60 HP model, the world's first production car with four-wheel drive and four-wheel brakes, designed by engineer Joseph Laviolette.[14] From 1907 to 1914, the company refined its lineup with models emphasizing advanced engineering and luxury appeal. The Spyker 12/16 HP, produced from 1906 to 1914, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder T-head engine delivering 12 to 16 horsepower, paired with the distinctive round honeycomb radiator introduced in 1905 as a Spyker trademark for efficient cooling. This model incorporated exposed side valves typical of the era's T-head design, allowing for straightforward maintenance, and utilized a cardan shaft drive for improved power delivery.[19] The Spyker 20/24 HP tourer, launched in 1903 and continued into the pre-war years, targeted export markets with its 3.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 20 to 24 horsepower, offering robust performance in open-top configurations suitable for long-distance travel.[20] Engineering advancements during this period included the widespread adoption of four-wheel braking systems across models, evolving from the rudimentary setup in the 1903 racer to more reliable mechanical brakes on all wheels, enhancing stopping power on varied terrains.[12] Spyker also refined chassis designs, introducing the patented "dust shield" undertray in the mid-1900s to minimize road dust ingress and improve durability, a feature that underscored the company's focus on practical innovation for luxury touring.[21] Total pre-war production remained limited but substantial, with annual output reaching up to 250 vehicles by 1906 and an overall pre-1914 total estimated in the low thousands, reflecting Spyker's emphasis on high-quality, low-volume craftsmanship rather than mass output.[22] Positioned in the luxury segment, Spyker vehicles appealed to affluent buyers through customizable bodies crafted by skilled coachbuilders, often featuring elegant phaeton or tourer styles with premium materials like polished wood and leather interiors.[6] The company prioritized exports, with significant sales to the United Kingdom and France, where the cars' distinctive styling and performance garnered acclaim in competitive events and among European elites.[20] As World War I erupted in 1914, Spyker shifted resources toward military contracts, adapting its chassis and engines to produce ambulances and staff cars for the Dutch military, leveraging pre-war engineering for wartime utility.[7]Aircraft manufacturing and contributions
In 1914, at the outset of World War I, Spyker merged with the Dutch Aircraft Factory N.V. (also known as Trompenburg) and entered the aviation sector, leveraging its automotive manufacturing expertise to produce aircraft for the neutral Netherlands' military needs. The company's automotive facilities in Amsterdam were repurposed for this purpose, enabling the construction of fighter planes under contracts with the Dutch Army and Navy. This transition marked Spyker's significant contribution to Dutch aerial defense efforts during the war, focusing on indigenous designs to reduce reliance on foreign imports.[23][1] Spyker's initial foray into fighter aircraft resulted in the Spijker V.1, a single-seat tractor biplane developed in response to military requirements for pursuit planes. Powered by an 80 hp Thulin-built Gnôme rotary engine, the V.1 featured a conventional biplane layout but proved underpowered and unstable during testing in 1916-1917, leading to limited production of only one or a few prototypes primarily for evaluation by the Dutch Navy. Subsequent variants addressed some shortcomings: the V.2 was a tandem two-seat biplane trainer with improved stability and dual controls, also equipped with an 80 hp Gnôme-type rotary engine, while the V.3 incorporated enhanced armament including synchronized machine guns and a more powerful Clerget engine for fighter roles. The V.4, envisioned as a two-seat reconnaissance parasol monoplane prototype derived from the V.3, was abandoned due to persistent instability and design challenges before entering production.[24][23][25] Overall, Spyker produced approximately 100 aircraft, primarily fighters and trainers, alongside around 200 rotary engines during the war, with the engines also supplying other Dutch-built aircraft to support national aviation capabilities. These outputs bolstered the Royal Netherlands Army Air Service and Naval Air Service, providing essential training and patrol assets amid wartime material shortages. The V.2 trainer, in particular, saw the highest numbers, with about 78 units delivered—58 for the army and 20 for the navy—facilitating pilot instruction in a period of rapid military expansion.[26][7] Following the Armistice in 1918, Spyker's aviation operations faced contraction as wartime demands ended and international treaties indirectly influenced demilitarization efforts in neutral nations. Production halted on pending orders, such as 72 V.3 fighters, which were canceled in 1919 with financial compensation to the company; brief attempts to adapt designs for civilian use, including potential passenger or training variants, faltered amid economic challenges and competition from firms like Fokker. By 1920, the facilities were largely dismantled or repurposed away from aviation, ending Spyker's brief but impactful role in aircraft manufacturing.[25]Interwar period and decline
Post-war car production (1919-1922)
Following World War I, the Nederlandsche Automobiel en Vliegtuigfabriek Trompenburg resumed automobile manufacturing in 1919, shifting focus from wartime aircraft production to luxury tourers that emphasized high-quality engineering and craftsmanship.[27][28] The company's propeller motif in its logo served as a brief nod to its recent aviation heritage.[1] The inaugural post-war model was the C1 Aerocoque, a streamlined two-seater roadster introduced in 1919 with an aerodynamic body designed for reduced wind resistance.[1][29] Powered by a 3,562 cc four-cylinder engine producing 45 horsepower, it marked Spyker's return to automotive innovation amid Europe's economic recovery.[28] A slightly more powerful variant, the 14/34 HP C1, followed in 1920 to address performance concerns.[28] From 1920 to 1922, Spyker produced the C4, a sophisticated six-cylinder luxury tourer rated at 30/40 HP with a 5,742 cc Maybach engine delivering approximately 72 horsepower and featuring double ignition for reliability.[26][28] This model included full electrical systems for lighting and starting, along with an advanced gearbox using constantly meshing helical gears and a preselector mechanism for smoother shifts.[28][30] Production remained limited, with only a small number of vehicles built—estimated at around 200 in total—prioritizing exports to European markets like the United Kingdom and Australia to capitalize on demand for premium automobiles.[28][31] The C4's endurance prowess was demonstrated in 1920 when a Tenax variant covered 30,360 km in harsh Dutch winter conditions, and in 1922 when it set a "Double 12" speed record at Brooklands.[1][26]Bankruptcies and cessation (1922-1926)
In 1922, Spyker Automobielbedrijf filed for bankruptcy amid a challenging post-World War I economic environment, marked by poor sales of its luxury models such as the C4 and Spyker-Mathis—a lower-priced model developed in collaboration with French manufacturer Mathis featuring a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, intended to broaden market appeal but failing to generate sufficient sales—high import duties in key markets like Britain, an expensive stock of parts, and intense competition from established luxury brands including Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza, and Minerva.[32] The company's ambitious manufacturing plans, aiming for up to 100 vehicles per month at the Trompenburg factory, proved unsustainable as demand faltered, with only 11 C4 units sold that year despite price reductions.[26] Following the bankruptcy, management was dismissed, and the factory was acquired by Spyker's British distributor, Spyker Ltd., which reorganized operations under the name Spyker Automobielfabriek to continue limited production using existing parts inventories.[32] Under the new ownership, Spyker focused on finalizing a small number of vehicles, primarily the C4 luxury tourer powered by a 5,742 cc inline-six Maybach engine and the C2 two-ton truck, though output remained severely constrained by financial pressures and dwindling resources.[32] Production persisted at a low level through 1924 before tapering off further, with estimates suggesting fewer than a dozen C4 cars completed in the immediate post-bankruptcy period, highlighting the company's struggle to maintain viability in a recession-hit luxury market.[26] By 1926, bankruptcy proceedings concluded as funds and parts stocks were exhausted, leading to the definitive cessation of automotive manufacturing after slow liquidation and multiple ownership transitions.[32] Over its 26 years of car production from 1900 to 1926, Spyker had built an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles in total, a modest figure reflecting its niche focus on high-end engineering rather than mass output.[32] The Amsterdam factory was subsequently sold off, with its facilities repurposed for industrial uses unrelated to automotive production, marking the end of the original Spyker era.[33] Spyker's legacy endures through a handful of surviving vehicles, fewer than 20 in total, many preserved in Dutch institutions such as the Louwman Museum, which houses notable examples including the pioneering 1903 60 HP four-wheel-drive racer and several pre-war tourers that exemplify the brand's innovative contributions to early motoring.[32][14]Licensing and ancillary operations
Licensed assembly by Heemaf
Rento Hofstede Crull, director of Heemaf in Hengelo, was a Spyker enthusiast who assembled vehicles at the company's facilities as a hobby and later as a business activity with approval from the Spijker brothers during the early years of production.[34][35] Heemaf, founded by Crull in 1904, utilized its facilities for this work, maintaining engineering standards associated with Spyker designs. Operations aligned with Spyker's active period and contributed to the brand's presence in the Netherlands before the 1926 bankruptcy.[34]Establishment of auto rental services
Rento Hofstede Crull, a key figure in Dutch industry and a long-time Spyker enthusiast who managed a Spyker garage on Heemaf premises, established the Spijker Automobiel Verhuur Maatschappij around 1907 in collaboration with Amsterdam's Trompenburg Bedrijf. This venture became one of the Netherlands' pioneering car rental companies, offering accessible mobility when automobile ownership was limited.[36][34] The company's fleet included Spyker models suitable for urban driving, with rentals available on an hourly or daily basis for short trips, errands, or business travel. It introduced services such as optional chauffeurs and maintenance packages to enhance user experience.[37] By the early 1930s, amid economic pressures from the Great Depression, the fleet diversified to include models from other European brands while retaining some Spyker vehicles. The Spijker Automobiel Verhuur Maatschappij operated through the 1930s, influencing Dutch rental practices, and ceased during World War II due to wartime restrictions and resource shortages.[37]Modern revival and operations
Inception of Spyker Cars (1999-2009)
Spyker Cars was founded in 1999 by Dutch entrepreneur Victor Muller and industrial designer Maarten de Bruijn, who revived the historic Spyker name—originally established in 1880 as a carriage manufacturer—with the aim of producing exclusive, hand-built sports cars inspired by the brand's aviation heritage. The company was headquartered in Zeewolde, Netherlands, where Muller and de Bruijn acquired the rights to the Spyker trademarks to establish legal continuity with the original marque. Initial funding came from private investors, including Muller's own Investeringsmaatschappij Helvetia B.V. and de Bruijn's Vice Versa Holding B.V., which enabled the startup of operations through the acquisition and renaming of an existing entity into Spyker Automobielen B.V. in 2001.[13][38][39] The company's first production model, the C8 Spyder, debuted in 2000 as a mid-engine convertible sports car featuring a 4.2-liter Audi V8 engine producing 380 horsepower, paired with a lightweight aluminum spaceframe chassis and body panels for enhanced performance and agility. Its design drew heavily from aviation aesthetics, incorporating exposed rivets, functional dials, and visible transmission gears to evoke the intricate detailing of early 20th-century aircraft cockpits. Priced at approximately €240,000, the C8 Spyder targeted the luxury sports car segment, emphasizing bespoke craftsmanship and limited production to appeal to affluent enthusiasts seeking exclusivity.[40][41] By 2009, Spyker Cars had produced around 250 units across its initial lineup, marking steady early growth despite the niche market. Key variants included the C8 Laviolette, a fixed-roof coupe introduced in 2001 and entering fuller production by 2006, which retained the Audi V8 powertrain while adding a distinctive glass canopy for a more enclosed, grand-touring experience. This model expansion solidified Spyker's entry into the high-end luxury sector, with vehicles commanding prices near €200,000 and focusing on hand-assembly to maintain quality and rarity. To support further development, the company went public in 2004 via an initial public offering on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange, raising capital to scale operations beyond private backing.[42][43][44]Major acquisitions, challenges, and resurgence (2010-2025)
In February 2010, Spyker Cars acquired Saab Automobile from General Motors for $74 million in cash, plus additional considerations including preferred shares valued at $326 million and a $540 million loan backed by the Swedish government.[45] The acquisition aimed to integrate Saab's production capabilities with Spyker's sports car expertise, leading to the formation of Saab Spyker Automobiles, a subsidiary focused on premium vehicles.[46] However, operational challenges and supply chain disruptions soon emerged, culminating in Saab's bankruptcy filing in December 2011, which resulted in significant financial losses for Spyker exceeding €200 million.[47] Spyker itself faced mounting pressures, filing for bankruptcy protection in December 2014 amid creditor disputes and production delays, with the Dutch court declaring the company bankrupt on December 18.[48] This ruling was overturned in January 2015 following a successful appeal, nullifying the bankruptcy with retrospective effect and enabling a bailout from investors that allowed operations to resume.[49] The company introduced the C8 Preliator in 2016 as an evolution of the earlier C8 Spyder, featuring a supercharged 4.2-liter Audi V8 engine producing 525 horsepower and limited to approximately 10 units in production due to financial constraints.[50] Further instability struck in January 2021 when Spyker filed for bankruptcy again, driven by unresolved supply chain issues from the COVID-19 pandemic and failure to secure anticipated investments, leaving the company with insurmountable debts.[51] A brief recovery attempt followed in January 2022, supported by Russian investors including Boris Rotenberg and Michael Pessis, who provided funding to restart limited operations and explore new model development.[52] By October 2025, Spyker achieved a significant resurgence when founder Victor Muller partnered with SpykerEnthusiast, a Dutch repair shop specializing in the brand, to secure a bailout and reclaim full ownership of trademarks, designs, and intellectual property rights through a settlement with insolvency trustees.[53] This agreement, announced via the company's official channels, positions Spyker to focus on producing new hand-built sports cars inspired by its heritage, with production based in the Netherlands and potential collaboration with international suppliers for components.[4]Products
Historical automobiles
Spyker's historical automobiles, produced between 1903 and 1926, represented innovative engineering from the Dutch manufacturer, initially focused on high-performance racers and later on luxury touring cars. The company pioneered several automotive firsts, including the world's first production six-cylinder engine and permanent four-wheel drive system in its early models. These vehicles were built during a period when Spyker transitioned from carriage-making to automobile production, emphasizing durability, speed, and advanced mechanical features amid the challenges of World War I and post-war recovery.[14] The 60 HP model, introduced in 1903, marked a technological milestone as the first car with a six-cylinder engine, four-wheel drive, and four-wheel brakes. Powered by an 8,821 cc inline-six engine producing 60 horsepower, it achieved a top speed of approximately 130-145 km/h and was designed for racing, debuting at the Paris Motor Show before competing in events like the 1903 Paris-Madrid race and the 1904 Blackpool Speed Trials, where it secured third place. Only a limited number were built, primarily as racers, with production estimated at fewer than five units.[54][14] From 1906 to 1914, the 12/16 HP served as Spyker's entry-level touring car, appealing to a broader market with its reliable four-cylinder design. It featured a 2,544 cc engine delivering 16 horsepower, a three-speed manual transmission, and a top speed of around 50 km/h, with a lightweight curb weight of 520 kg that enhanced its agility on European roads. This model contributed to Spyker's growing production, helping the company reach an annual output of about 250 vehicles by 1906.[55][56] Post-World War I, the 1919 C1 Aerocoque introduced aerodynamic innovation, drawing from Spyker's aircraft manufacturing experience with its streamlined two-seater bodywork. This show car, produced in small numbers on demand, emphasized reduced wind resistance and elegant lines, though specific engine details varied; it typically used a four-cylinder powerplant in the 3,000-3,500 cc range for balanced performance in the luxury segment. The design foreshadowed modern aerodynamics in road cars.[1][28] The C4, launched in 1920, became Spyker's flagship luxury model until 1926, equipped with a 5,742 cc inline-six Maybach engine producing 30-40 horsepower and capable of speeds over 100 km/h. Known for its endurance, a standard C4 set a new 15,000-mile record in 1921, covering 30,360 km non-stop. Approximately 500 units were produced, reflecting its popularity among affluent buyers despite economic pressures leading to the company's bankruptcy.[54][26] Spyker's historical cars shared distinctive design elements typical of the brass era, including polished brass fittings on lamps and accents for a luxurious appearance, prominent exposed radiators for efficient cooling, and custom coachwork tailored by in-house or external bodybuilders to suit buyer preferences such as phaetons or sedancas. These features underscored the vehicles' handcrafted quality and engineering focus.[55]| Model | Years Produced | Engine Size | Horsepower | Wheelbase (mm) | Units Built (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 HP | 1903 | 8,821 cc | 60 | 2,800 | <5 |
| 12/16 HP | 1906-1914 | 2,544 cc | 16 | 2,540 | ~1,000 (part of range) |
| C1 Aerocoque | 1919 | ~3,500 cc | 30 | 2,800 | Small number (on demand) |
| C4 | 1920-1926 | 5,742 cc | 30-40 | 3,000 | ~500 |
