When speaking of supercars from the 1990s, models that immediately come to mind are those such as the Lamborghini Diablo and Ferrari Testarossa, but the briefly popular rival of those two giants almost proved to be the nail in their coffin, had it been for better business.

The Cizeta V16T, once the Cizeta Moroder V16T, made a glittering debut in the mid-1990s and took the supercar world by storm by intentionally pushing the boundaries set by Ferrari and Lamborghini while dialing in on the very finest details to create not only a vehicle but a masterpiece. At the time of its debut, the Cizeta V16T was the only production car poised to feature a V-16 engine. It also boasted claims of 200 plus MPH, while projecting the retro, exuberant attitude of the mid-90s throughout its design as well as its mannerisms.

Though the business side of the automotive industry didn’t favor the short-lived automaker, they were able to create very few examples of their finished vision. Those models that did see production, very few of which are still on the road today, are among the most sought-after pieces of automotive memorabilia to date and fetch prices upwards of half a million dollars. That is if you can find one for sale, as the remaining models that are still considered roadworthy are under lock and key at various automotive museums, including the only convertible Cizeta V16T ever produced.

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Academy Award-Winning Composer And Lamborghini Engineers

What do you get when you mix a multi-Oscar/Academy Award-winning music producer, a handful of all-star Lamborghini engineers, and a wealthy Italian supercar connoisseur? Something light years ahead of its time, not to mention something incredibly fast and detailed in design.

Creator and co-founder, Claudio Zampolli, embarked on the journey of creating a supercar that outshone the rest, beginning production on what would become the Cizeta Moroder V16T in 1990. Along with the financial backing of renowned composer Giorgio Moroder, and the engineering prowess of Marcello Gandini of Lamborghini fame, Claudio Previewed the V16T prototype at various car shows and supercar events, even getting a co-sign from TV personality and dedicated car collector, Jay Leno, before its official launch.

Not long into production, the relationship between Claudio Zampolli and Giorgio Moroder soured, causing the two to part ways in the early stages of production. Without the financial stability provided by the world-renowned composer, Claudio cut the “Moroder” from the final emblem design and proceeded to manufacture as many V16Ts as possible before closing the production down for good.

The original production was already limited to begin with, as Claudio Zimpolli stated before its release that only 50-100 V16Ts were to be produced a year. The demand for the newest, and most powerful, Italian supercar was high enough to carry the company, especially since the Cizeta V16T cost a steep $280,000 upon release. However, the loss of financial backing from Giorgio Moroder left the Italian automaker seeing only nine examples of the V-16 supercar leave the production line.

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The V-16 Supercar To Challenge Testarossa And Diablo

The artfully hand-crafted composition of the Cizeta V16T shines through at every crack and crevice of the vehicle. The body is painstakingly manufactured by the same designers and craftsmen who helped produce the original Lamborghini Countach in Italy.

The wide wheelbase and track provide not only an aggressive, race-ready appearance that paired well with the prominent air intakes but also the stability and grip needed to unlock the V16T’s full potential. The 64-valve 6.0-liter V-16 engine was the first of its kind set to be in production, only adding to the exclusivity of the supercar.

Before release, the claims of the Italian V-16 supercar being able to exceed 200 MPH were a top pitch, as it rivaled the Diablo and outran the Testarossa. The V-16 engine produced 540 horsepower at 8000-rpm and 400 pound-feet of torque at 6000-rpm, more than enough to make Lamborghini and Ferrari sweat.

Cizeta V16T Performance Specs

The engineers of the mid-engine Cizeta V16T also considered the stopping power needed to contain the supercar, as massive Brembo racing rotors and twin-pot calipers with race-style hubs became standard procedure. The wide wheelbase is thanks in part to the Pirelli P Zero performance tires that also came standard on the V16T, with a large 245 set in the front, and an even larger 335 set in the rear. Suffice it to say, the Cizeta V16T was mindfully manufactured down to the last screw.

The suspension of the Cizeta V16T is unique, previewing the pure automotive talent behind the design and manufacturing of this car. The front, as well as the rear, use unequal-length control arms, however, where the front spring-damper units connect conventionally to the control arms, the rear set of twin spring-damper units mount inboard the rear wheels.

The V16T features rising-rate suspension at both ends, as in typical race car fashion, to add a layer of refinement to the articulation of the suspension when pushing the supercar to its limits.

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Cizeta Moroder V16T Original Prototype Restoration By Canera

Recently, Canera, a renowned restoration service and sales specialist firm received a request to restore an original Cizeta V16T. But this wasn’t any V16T, it was the first prototype to exit production, holding the 001 VIN number.

This particular V16T is unlike any other, as, of the nine produced, the 001 VIN tagged V16T is the only model that bears the originally planned production badge, which features Giorgio Moroder’s name. Since the falling out of creator, Claudio Zampolli, and financial backer, Giorgio Moroder, happened in the early stages of production, only one model was produced that featured the “Moroder” next to “Cizeta” on the manufacturer badge.

Starting with the engine, the expert resto team at Canera began to resurrect the vintage supercar, meticulously cleaning and replacing original parts that hadn’t been manufactured in decades. After investing over 1000 hours in the restoration, the Cizeta was howling with all 16 cylinders for the first time, as the master mechanics and engineers at Canera had the V16T running better than when it left the assembly line.

Nine examples of the Cizeta V16T were produced, with only four considered roadworthy today, placing it among the rarer vehicles to own. Of the four V16Ts still driving, three are located in museums, including the only convertible Cizeta ever produced.

To this day, the Cizeta V16T is a marvel of its era, described by experts and engineers all over as being ahead of its time. With the insane attention to detail and the master team of designers, the Cizeta is by all measures of the term, a one-of-a-kind automobile.