Isdera Imperator 108i
Isdera is a small and ultra-exclusive manufacturer of supercars out of Germany. It was a project by Eberhard Schultz, an ex-Mercedes engineer, in 1969. Over the years, Isdera produced only a few models, all of which used Mercedes parts and engines. The company became known for its exclusive production approach. All their products could be considered lost and forgotten supercars. But the Imperator 108i is the coolest and best looking so it deserves a place on this list. It was introduced in 1984 and remained in production until 1993, during which time 30 examples left the factory (via Motor1).
The car had space frame construction with a plastic body and Gullwing doors, everyone’s favorite supercar detail. Behind the driver was a Mercedes-produced V8 engine with 5.0 liters of displacement. Over the years, Isdera installed more significant machines with 5.6 and 6.0 liters of displacement produced by Mercedes. The performance was respectable, with 5.0 seconds 0-60 times and a top speed of over 170 mph. The design had a characteristic wedge shape and one exciting feature – a periscope rear-view mirror. Despite the exciting look, exclusivity, and performance, Isdera simply couldn’t battle the more popular models and the Imperator 108i soon fell into obscurity.