Hammer comes down on Donkervoort

Someone has just become the proud new owner of this super rare Donkervoort D8 GTO-70. Donker who, you ask? Based in the Netherlands, Donk...

Someone has just become the proud new owner of this super rare Donkervoort D8 GTO-70.

Donker who, you ask? Based in the Netherlands, Donkervoort Automobielen BV is a manufacturer of bespokeultra light weight sports cars.

The Donkervoort D8 GTO-70 is blisteringly fast bit of kit, of which just 70 examples were made to commemorate the 70th birthday of company founder, Joop Donkervoort.

Number 16 of the small production run, this generously specified example, went to auction last week and is listed as sold -- but the price has not been disclosed.

However, the first and last time one of these beauties changed hands -- it was for about $390,000 Aussie dollars.

The company was founded in 1978 and at first used Ford engines for its cars, but in 1996 it made the switch to Audi engines.

Donkervoort's motto – "No Compromise" – sees the absence of electronic driving aids such as ABS, electronic stability control and even power-assisted steering.

This 2022 Donkervoort D8 GTO special-edition JD-70 is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre Audi inline-five that delivers around 310kW to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission with limited-slip diff. 

It is fitted with more than $70,00 of options including exposed carbon-fibre trim, uprated brakes, and a race ABS system.

Its finished in bespoke Bentley Damson Metallic over a black Alcantara-trimmed cabin, punctuated by Bentley Damson highlights and stitching.

With cool scissor-style doors, the car rides on a set of gold 17-inch front and 18-inch rear Volk Racing alloy wheels with anniversary centre caps and Nankang tyres. 

Equipment includes switchable ABS, a digital dashboard, and a brake bias controller. 

Joop Donkervoort started the company as a kit car importer way back in 1978, but when he learned that significant modifications were needed to make the assembled kit cars street legal, he began building the first S7 automobiles using a design derived from the Lotus Seven, in a Tienhoven shed.

In 1983, Donkervoort moved to a larger production facility in Loosdrecht, followed by another move in 2000 to its present headquarters and factory in Lelystad.

Chassis production, which previously had been contracted to an external supplier, was brought in-house in 2003.

 

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