It’s sad to say but after living in LA for more than a year, my brain has become a little jaded. AMGs are so common I’m shocked if I see a “regular” Benz, trucks are less common than 997 Turbos and Bentley Continentals are basically expensive cockroaches.
However this car had me jump out in traffic and go completely out of my way to get closer to it. If you’ve ever driven in this city you know what it means to voluntarily extend your journey in traffic. (You might have the winning lottery ticket in your pocket but if the claim office isn’t on your way it’s not getting cashed in til tomorrow.) It’s called the SZR, built by Vision Industries LLC, a So Cal company that’s been around since 1997. Oh, underneath that traffic-cone paint is a Chevy 502 with 750hp. Perfect for rush hour, no?
When it came toward me the face looked a bit like an Aero SSC, but as soon as it passed I knew it was something else. I chased it down (well, it stopped for a light) and I pulled alongside. I heard the distinctive sound of a V8 when it downshifted, backed by a lopey cam. I’m surprised it didn’t crack the asphalt, considering the engine it’s packing.
Vision made a prototype back in 1998, and brought it to SEMA and the LA Auto Show. In 2005 they built their first working prototype, which had a 6.0 Liter V12. For the SEMA show in 2007, Vision lengthened the wheelbase, and swapped the V-12 for the V8.
Seeing a rumbling, raucous, bright orange super car amid a sea of slow-moving, mundane grey Prius (ooh you got the charcoal grey because it looks cooler? Guess what? So did everyone else, including my mom. Literally.) made me grin. Vision Industries is a So Cal based company, and 90% of the parts are sourced from American companies, with most of them being built in the So Cal area. It’s nice to see Dutch and Saudi billionaires aren’t the only ones building ridiculous hypercars these days.
This car reminded me what it feels like to see something special and unique. I wonder if he’ll let us do an episode with it…
A one-page website? Is this the only one ever porduced. I want more info!
as far as we can tell, only 3 cars were ever produced. This one, a white one, and a silver one.
This car is killer. I know the owner/builder personally and he has put his whole heart into this project. Keep up the good work John and when are you going to build me one?? LOL
J.
Thanks J !!! Lets do it !!! We could add a blower and get over 800 H.P. or we could use twin turbos . . . or we could . . . have many possibilities !
Something new and refreshing… beat up on some Euro trash John!! You know the mundane Ferrari wont stand a chance.
Saw it at Sunset Blvd over at Pacific Palisades, the only car ive seen that i couldn't identify
Additional photos and info: http://www.flickr.com/photos/59904789@N02/5479771…
Saw this car at Laguna Seca this past weekend. It was parked up on the hill along with thousands of other cars. Got a couple of pics. The one I saw has different wheels (orange and black radical wheels) that match the pics linked by MMorse, and a Manufacturer license plate. People (including me) were busy taking pictures and ignoring some of the other cars parked in the same area, including a Porsche GT3RS (I got a pic of that as well). What can I say.. it was Pebble Beach weekend in Monterey.
Dude, here's some new footage of this thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7QAJcs-z2k
I saw this thing in-person at the beach in CA. Judging by comments I've seen online, seems to inspire either love or hate. I probably wouldn't drive a car like this, but man.. it's still a grabber.