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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe Isdera Imperator 108i was a hand-built, small-series continuation of the CW311 concept project—not a Mercedes-Benz production car. Isdera built 30 examples between 1984 and 1993, according to two independent model and auction sources. Its wedge-shaped body, gullwing doors and roof-mounted periscope make it unmistakable, while its Mercedes-derived mid-mounted V8 and performance figures changed across versions.
What is an Isdera Imperator 108i?
It is a low-volume German sports car developed from the CW311 project associated with designer Eberhard Schulz and Rainer Buchmann’s B&B company. Schulz founded Isdera in 1982; the firm introduced the Imperator in 1984 as the road-going development of that project. Mercedes-Benz supplied engines, but did not build the Imperator as one of its own production models. RM Sotheby’s 2024 catalogue and CLASSIC.COM’s model page describe the project’s origins and production run.
The Imperator’s construction matched its limited-production character: a tubular steel spaceframe with a bonded fiberglass body, independent suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels. Isdera lists front double wishbones, rear upper and lower transverse links, power steering and a stated weight of 1,250 kg. The car is rear-mid-engined and rear-wheel drive; CLASSIC.COM describes a five-speed manual transmission, while RM Sotheby’s specifies a five-speed ZF gearbox in its 1991 Series 2 example.
How many Isdera Imperator 108i cars were made?
The best-supported total is 30 cars, produced from the 1984 introduction through 1993. RM Sotheby’s says 30 were built over the nine years after introduction; CLASSIC.COM independently gives 30 examples for 1984–1993.
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The sources do not agree on how those cars divide between series. CLASSIC.COM lists 13 Series 1 and 17 Series 2. RM Sotheby’s describes its 1991 Series 2 as believed to be one of 13 Series 2 cars, and auto motor und sport also reports 13 of the later type. The overall figure of 30 is therefore more dependable than any precise series breakdown.
Why does the Isdera Imperator have a periscope?
The raised roof feature is a periscope-style rearview device. Isdera identifies it as the car’s rearview mirror. That explains its purpose; the available source does not establish a more specific engineering rationale for choosing this arrangement over a conventional mirror.
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The periscope sits alongside the car’s other signature visual features: a low wedge profile and gullwing doors. On Series 2 cars, RM Sotheby’s identifies pop-up headlamps, softer body lines, a larger grille opening, vents above the front wheel arches and an offset NACA duct in the hood as distinguishing details.
How fast is the Isdera Imperator 108i?
There is no single figure that applies cleanly to every Imperator. Engine specifications and performance claims differ by version and source, and the cited figures are claims or reported specifications—not a common independent test.
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| Version or source | Engine or output | Performance figure |
|---|---|---|
| Isdera claim reported by RM Sotheby’s for the model | Not specified with the performance claim | 175 mph top speed; 0–60 mph in 5.1 seconds |
| 1991 Series 2 example catalogued by RM Sotheby’s | Fuel-injected, 32-valve Mercedes M119 V8; roughly 300 hp | Not stated for this specific example |
| Series 2 M119 described by auto motor und sport | 326 PS | Approximately 280 km/h; 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds |
| AMG 6.0-liter version described by auto motor und sport | 410 PS | Not stated |
CLASSIC.COM describes the engine progression as an initial 5.0-liter V8 followed by 5.6-liter and 6.0-liter versions. Differences among the reported outputs may reflect different engine specifications or source-specific claims, so horsepower and speed figures should be tied to the particular version rather than treated as universal Imperator specifications.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do Imperator 108i auction results say about its value?
They show a market for the rare car, but not a dependable single value for every example. CLASSIC.COM records a 1991 Series 2 sale for $929,000 on February 27, 2026. By contrast, RM Sotheby’s listed a 1991 Series 2 at its 2024 Monterey auction with an $800,000–$1,000,000 estimate and marked it not sold. An estimate is not a completed sale, and one transaction cannot establish a general valuation.
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Condition, documentation and the individual car’s history matter. RM Sotheby’s catalogued an example delivered new to Japan and later registered in the UK, with restoration and servicing noted. For any Imperator, useful points to examine include chassis and ownership records, engine variant, service and restoration documentation, originality, road registration, and the practical constraints of the car’s location and import history.
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