HISTORY
Wiesmann was founded by brothers Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann in 1988. It was the brothers’ relentless belief that it was possible to produce a car that defied the norm of the sports car world. Today, that baton has been passed on to an equally dedicated and passionate sibling duo, with an equally fierce dedication to creating an unbounded automotive masterpiece.
After attending the 1985 Essen Motor Show, Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann decided to design and custom-build their own sports car, one that fused the look of a classic British roadster with state-of-the art German technology.
Keen to design a car that stuck to the road so well as to almost defy the laws of physics, the founders adopted the gecko as the Wiesmann logo, and the business was officially formed in 1988.
Two years later, the first factory opened, and work began on the Wiesmann MF3 Roadster, which debuted in 1993. It was extremely well-received, and as a result, the company went on to produce eight additional models. All were met with high acclaim.
Following a brief closure in 2014, Wiesmann was acquired by Contec Global, under the direction of Roheen and Sahir Berry. Several new models are currently in the pipeline, the first of which is due for release in 2022.
Wiesmann is not your average sports car. It is a car inspired by those few with the courage, audacity and creativity to live by their own rules. Beautifully designed, precision engineered, it is a remarkable.
THE FACTORY
Since 2008, every Wiesmann car has been built at the factory in Dülmen, Germany. The process begins with a discussion between manufacturer and prospective owner. This initial step is the most crucial part of the production process, as it cements the brand’s integrity as a luxury, custom-built manufacturer.
The desirability and rarity of historic models has resulted in many customers discovering their purchases, which were founded on their automotive passion, have also increased in value.
Nicknamed the Gecko, Wiesmann HQ is no ordinary factory. The design was modelled after Wiesmann’s trademark gecko logo. The unusual shape of the building has become an important local landmark, symbolising the company’s commitment to Westphalia, an area long known for its car manufacturing prowess. Featuring a beautiful showroom, an overview of production areas and its very own research and development atelier, the Gecko factory will always be a place as welcome to Wiesmann owners as it is to the exceptional manufacturing team within it. When reopened in 2016, Wiesmann was honoured to welcome the return of many of its previous engineers and craftsmen, all keen to work on Project Gecko.
INDEPENDENT
One of Europe’s last remaining independent sports car producers, Wiesmann has always integrated traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. The manufacturing runs are small and owner-focussed. Each car takes 350 man-hours to complete, employing the various skills of a dedicated team of designers, engineers and technicians, and is built in-house, by hand. Owners are highly involved in the specification and build process, which enables the finished design to reflect their own individual tastes, philosophies and personalities. Everything at Wiesmann is made by individuals for the individual.
PROJECT THUNDERBALL
With Project Thunderball fully underway, the future of Wiesmann is extremely bright. A natural evolution of the company’s commitment to German engineering combined with British design and style, the new Wiesmann model has been years in the making. Improved levels of performance and a refined aesthetic have resulted in advanced sports car manufacturing, which has only been enhanced by a continued technological partnership with BMW, which has been supplying its M-Series engines to the company since 1994.
Germany’s most loved sports car is very much alive and well.
Image and text credits: Wiesmann Cars
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