Donkervoort S8 1984

History and background

The Donkervoort S8, in full Super Eight, is the second type developed by Donkervoort after its founding in 1978. The model is consistent with the brand's original philosophy: a minimalist, lightweight sports car with an emphasis on agility and driving performance. In the early eighties Donkervoort thus positioned itself in a small and specialized segment, in which Dutch hand-building and British inspiration came together in a distinctly lightweight construction.

The 1984 Donkervoort S8 belongs to the first generation of this type. Chassis number JD0082 makes this example an early produced car within the S8 series. Moreover, the car was originally Dutch delivered and has a history of use spanning several decades. The first Dutch owner kept the Donkervoort until 2021, a period of 37 years, after which one more owner followed. Together, these two previous owners drove the car 64,659 kilometers.

Technically, the Donkervoort S8 is a decidedly light sports car. The low weight and the application of a 2-liter Ford engine form the basis of the concept. Through that combination, the S8 achieves acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 190 km/h, as far as conditions allow. Within the range of Dutch sports cars from that period, the Donkervoort S8 occupies a recognizable place as a car with a strongly focused, functional character.

Characteristics and special features

This Donkervoort S8 features black cloth upholstery, a leather Donkervoort steering wheel and a dashboard finished in black leather. The gauges also have black trim edges. The doors, soft top and leather cover are finished in black and are in good condition. Together, this gives the car a cohesive and sporty presentation.

The car sits on 14-inch Darkport alloy wheels with 195/60-R14 tires. In addition, this S8 was later fitted with cycle wings, the round front fenders that rotate with the front wheels. This is a detail that gives the car a later and more modern look within the design language of the model. For the purist, the long original front fenders can be included. Also included with the car is an original manual prepared in 1981 for the S7 and S8, including the electrical wiring harness diagram. The document is typed on the typewriter and features hand-drawn illustrations, which also makes it a separate collector's item.

No further history is included with the car. No additional maintenance, restoration or usage documents are available besides the included original manual.

Summary

The 1984 Donkervoort S8 is an early example of the second type Donkervoort developed after 1978. With chassis number JD0082, a 2-liter Ford engine, a weight of 580 kilograms and a documented history of use, this is an original Dutch classic with additional documentation and accompanying original parts. To get a good picture of the lot we advise you to come to the viewing day.