Dutch carmaker unlocks the wicked D8 GTO

Jeroen · 24th April 2015, 12:17

Dutch carmaker unlocks the wicked D8 GTO-p02prvqx.jpg

Not even sure how many members would have ever heard of this Dutch car maker? Essentially a souped up Lotus 7 on steroids design!

http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20150...carbon-edition

Although I have never owned a Donkervoort, I have driven a few over the years and I have met the owner Joop Donkervoort several times.

When in the late eighties I was looking for my first classic sports car, I gave him a call. In those days it was quite a small outfit. More or less everythign happened in a big barn behind Joop's house in Loosdrecht.

He listened to my question and told me, why don't you come over on Saturday morning. I'm showing a group of Industrial designers around the shop and you can come along too.

So of I went and spent a day with Joop and some 6-7 other guys being shown around his (very modest) shop/barn at the time. Joop was your classic inventor entrepeneur. He knew and was involved in every detail of those cars. He could talk for hours on any part. What had been the design critiria, how do they manufacture it, why and how and with who did they partner to get it manufactured, how much did it cost.

It was hugely interesting and I learned an awfull lot.

In those days Donkervoort's still looked very similar to the legendary Lotus 7. The Donkervoort was even called S7. I can't quite remember what the relation between Lotus and Donkervoort was, other than it was complicated and Joop didnt want to say to much about it.

I drive my Alfa Spider top down, no matter what the weather. Sun, rain, snow, hail, sub zero temperatures, the top stays down. But I'm an absolute wush when it comes to hardcore Lotus 7 and Donkervoort 7 drivers. They have virtually no protection from the elements. In my Spider, as long as you put your foot down, you wont get wet. The rain will just blow over you. Start to rain harder, just put your foot down more. Its got a heater too, so your feet/legs will stay warm. Reasonable boot to take a couple of weekend bags. On the Lotus and the Donkervoort you get soaked no matter what. No heating either, and only just enough space for a tooth brush. Respect!

Anyway, these days, good to see there are still small car makers who dont give a damn about convention and still make bonkers cars!

All credits to Joop and his team

Jeroen

kingofmyworld · 25th April 2015, 01:10

WOW! Just WOW! This car just looks fantastic. A light weight body coulped with an Audi 2.5L R5 TFSI pure sport engine can do wonders. Heard of this company for the first time and I must say, I'm blown by their products.

24th April 2015, 12:17	#1
Jeroen Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Delhi Posts: 8,101 Thanked: 50,879 Times View My Garage	Dutch carmaker unlocks the wicked D8 GTO Not even sure how many members would have ever heard of this Dutch car maker? Essentially a souped up Lotus 7 on steroids design! http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20150...carbon-edition Although I have never owned a Donkervoort, I have driven a few over the years and I have met the owner Joop Donkervoort several times. When in the late eighties I was looking for my first classic sports car, I gave him a call. In those days it was quite a small outfit. More or less everythign happened in a big barn behind Joop's house in Loosdrecht. He listened to my question and told me, why don't you come over on Saturday morning. I'm showing a group of Industrial designers around the shop and you can come along too. So of I went and spent a day with Joop and some 6-7 other guys being shown around his (very modest) shop/barn at the time. Joop was your classic inventor entrepeneur. He knew and was involved in every detail of those cars. He could talk for hours on any part. What had been the design critiria, how do they manufacture it, why and how and with who did they partner to get it manufactured, how much did it cost. It was hugely interesting and I learned an awfull lot. In those days Donkervoort's still looked very similar to the legendary Lotus 7. The Donkervoort was even called S7. I can't quite remember what the relation between Lotus and Donkervoort was, other than it was complicated and Joop didnt want to say to much about it. I drive my Alfa Spider top down, no matter what the weather. Sun, rain, snow, hail, sub zero temperatures, the top stays down. But I'm an absolute wush when it comes to hardcore Lotus 7 and Donkervoort 7 drivers. They have virtually no protection from the elements. In my Spider, as long as you put your foot down, you wont get wet. The rain will just blow over you. Start to rain harder, just put your foot down more. Its got a heater too, so your feet/legs will stay warm. Reasonable boot to take a couple of weekend bags. On the Lotus and the Donkervoort you get soaked no matter what. No heating either, and only just enough space for a tooth brush. Respect! Anyway, these days, good to see there are still small car makers who dont give a damn about convention and still make bonkers cars! All credits to Joop and his team Jeroen Last edited by GTO : 25th April 2015 at 12:34. Reason: Adding pics :)
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25th April 2015, 01:10	#2
kingofmyworld BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hyderabad / pensylvania. Posts: 816 Thanked: 536 Times View My Garage	re: Dutch carmaker unlocks the wicked D8 GTO WOW! Just WOW! This car just looks fantastic. A light weight body coulped with an Audi 2.5L R5 TFSI pure sport engine can do wonders. Heard of this company for the first time and I must say, I'm blown by their products.
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