Donkervoort Returns Restored 1980 S8 to Founder Joop Donkervoort as Father's Day Gift
Donkervoort's first-ever demonstrator car, the 1980 S8 number 22, has been fully restored and returned to founder Joop Donkervoort as a Father's Day gift.
- 22
- 625 kg
- 6 seconds
What Happened
The Donkervoort D8 S8, chassis number 22, was the company's first demonstrator model, delivered new in 1980. After being discovered by a Donkervoort Ambassador, the car underwent a ground-up restoration by Donkervoort Classics. It was then presented to company founder Joop Donkervoort by his son, managing director Denis Donkervoort, in time for Father's Day.
“This car was a significant part of Donkervoort history and it was the first demonstrator model we ever had. Everybody at Donkervoort Classics got such a lift working on it, and it just made everybody feel pretty special to have it around the factory.”
625 kg
The S8 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6 seconds.
81 kWkW
The S8 features a Ford four-cylinder engine with 81 kW.
Why this matters
The restoration of this historic car highlights Donkervoort's heritage and the deep personal connections within the company's history.
Terms in This Story
- demonstrator car
- A vehicle used by a manufacturer to showcase its features to potential customers.
- ground-up restoration
- A complete disassembly and rebuilding of a vehicle to like-new condition.
- Donkervoort Ambassador
- A long-time owner and enthusiast who represents the brand.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.