Rare Isdera Imperator: Buy This Supercar as the Dollar Collapses?

A 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2, one of just 13 ever produced, is slated for auction as investors seek alternative assets amid the U.S. dollar's decline.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The U.S. dollar's continuing decline is prompting a flight to alternative assets, and a remarkably rare German sports car, a 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2, is capturing the attention of investors bracing for further currency devaluation. The car, one of just 13 ever produced, is slated for auction by RM Sotheby's in Miami on February 27th. The Isdera Imperator 108i features a distinctive 'wedge' shape, a fiberglass body, and a 300-horsepower Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, and is expected to fetch between $650,000 and $850,000 at the auction.

Why it matters

The current interest in the Isdera Imperator 108i reflects a broader trend of investors seeking refuge from economic uncertainty as the dollar's value erodes. Rare and tangible assets like this sports car are gaining appeal as potential stores of value, as some see them as a rational response to a collapsing currency.

The details

The Isdera Imperator 108i is the brainchild of Eberhard Schulz, a former Porsche designer. Its distinctive 'wedge' shape, reminiscent of designs from Italian houses like Gandini, is executed with German engineering precision. The car features a fiberglass body mounted on a steel tubeframe chassis and is powered by a 300-horsepower 6-liter Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, paired with a ZF five-speed manual gearbox. The particular Isdera being offered for auction has passed through four different collections in the last decade and has received restorative and prescriptive repairs.

  • The Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2 is slated for auction by RM Sotheby's in Miami on February 27, 2026.
  • The car previously sold for 690,000 euros at a Bonhams auction in Monaco in 2021.

The players

Isdera

A German automotive company that designed and produced the Imperator 108i, a rare and distinctive sports car.

Eberhard Schulz

A former Porsche designer who was the brainchild behind the Isdera Imperator 108i.

RM Sotheby's

An auction house that is hosting the sale of the 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2 in Miami.

Canepa

A California-based company that has previously serviced the Isdera Imperator 108i being auctioned.

Morgan Stanley Research

A research firm that suggests the U.S. dollar could lose another 10% of its value by the end of 2026.

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What’s next

The auction for the 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2 is scheduled to take place on February 27, 2026 at the RM Sotheby's event in Miami.

The takeaway

The growing interest in the rare Isdera Imperator 108i reflects a broader trend of investors seeking alternative assets as a hedge against the declining U.S. dollar. While the car's rarity and distinctive design make it a compelling acquisition, potential buyers should approach this auction with caution and conduct thorough due diligence before making a decision.