	
	When one is asked the question, what is the most exotic 
American sports car ever put into production, many respond with answers 
such as the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 or Dodge Viper GTS.  However, there 
is a car often forgot about or completely unheard of- the Vector M12.
	The M12 supercar is the latest offering from Vector Aeromotive, 
a company based out of Northeast Florida.  Vector started out in the 
1970's with a prototype called the W2, which eventually led to their 
first production vehicle, the W8.  The W8 featured a turbo-charged 
Oldsmobile V8 along with very wild, out-of-this-world styling.  Some 
time later, the company decided to try again at creating a 
high-performing, exotic sports car.  Resulting from this attempt came 
the Avtech WX3 prototype, from which the M12 is based from.  In 1996 
the designs of the M12 were finalized, and this amazing car was put 
into production.
	The Vector M12 has a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, and 
is powered by a 5.7 liter Lamborghini V-12.  This 490 hp engine 
propels the M-12 to a top speed of 190 mph and allows this supercar 
to reach 60.1 mph in first gear.  Not only is this car fast, but also 
safe.  Located in the front of the M12 are aluminum boxes filled with 
foam that absorb energy in the event of a head-on collision.  Other 
safety features include a roll bar system and side-impact beams.  This 
complex automobile takes approximately one full month to hand-assemble.  
It is created in three stages which include the construction of the 
fiberglass and carbon-fiber body, the creation of the chassis, and the 
integration of the two units.  When these cars finally emerge from the 
factory in final form, they are among the fastest and most beautiful 
American sports cars ever created.
	After the introduction of the M12 though, Vector ran into some 
trouble.  As a result of production problems the company lost 
approximately 5 million dollars in 1996 and shut down production.  
However, now under new management and with new investors, Vector 
Aeromotive has re-opened its facilities and resumed production of the 
M12.  The company is now moving slowly, but steadily and seems as if 
it will remain in the automobile business for a long time to come.  
Also, with the introduction of a racing version of the M12, Vector 
plans to become well known as a formidable competitor in the supercar 
industry.  Hopefully in the near future Vector will receive the 
recognition it deserves, and the M12 will become known to many as the 
greatest American supercar ever created.
	