1988–1989 Isdera Spyder 033-16 Specs & Performance

The Isdera Spyder 033-16 is a fascinating example of how far a small German manufacturer could push an unconventional sports-car concept. Its low, open body and rear-mid-engine layout gave it proportions unlike the mainstream roadsters of its era, while the Mercedes-sourced four-cylinder kept the mechanical package relatively compact. The 033-16 was not about chasing enormous engine capacity; its appeal came from combining modest weight, a focused chassis and an unusual construction philosophy in a car produced in very small numbers. That rarity makes this Spyder particularly distinctive among late-1980s performance cars.

The 1988–1989 Spyder 033-16 uses a naturally aspirated 2.3-liter inline-four producing 175 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission drives the rear wheels, while the lightweight 2,028-pound car reaches 144 mph and accelerates from 0–60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The rear-mid-engine layout and two-seat configuration underline the focused sports-car character behind Isdera’s unusual design.