The Dutch aren’t known as prolific producers of automobiles, but throughout the decades, Holland has been responsible for building a number of exciting performance cars. Of these, none are more recognizable than the ones from Spyker Cars.

The auto manufacturer was formed in 1999 in its most recent form, but actually dates back to 1880 when it was founded and initially built airplanes and a number of automobiles, including race cars.

When the company re-emerged just prior to the 21st century, it set out to establish itself by producing a number of exciting vehicles for the street. Easily the most identifiable is the C8 Spyder. The Dutch sports car is powered by a 4.2-liter Audi-sourced V8 and Petrolicious recently met up with a C8 Spyder owner in the United States to detail the vehicle.

This particular Spyker is owned by a man named James Chen, who has kept it in exceptional condition. One of Chen’s favorite aspects of the sports car is the open-cockpit feeling it provides drivers, because the side windows and windshield are all frameless, giving the car a unique, speedster-like feel compared to most other convertibles.

As eye-catching as the exterior design of the Spyker C8 Spyder is, it is perhaps the interior that is its most iconic aspect. The cabin is inspired by vintage airplanes and consists of various aluminum and leather components. It also happens to have one of the classiest shifters ever fitted to a sports car, complete with an exposed linkage.