Rexer

Rexer OÜ (also referred to in English-language sources as Rexer Ltd.) is an Estonian manufacturer of automobiles and kit cars based in Tallinn. The company was founded in 1992, when it began developing automobiles and kit cars. Regular production and sales started in 1996 after the company obtained Estonian type approval for its model. The vehicles are sold under the brand name Rex. The first model was the Vilgas, built on a spaceframe chassis with a lightweight fibreglass body. Early engines came from Lada, and soon afterwards a 2,000 cc Ford engine became available. In 1996 a Ford V6 engine of 2,900 cc was used for the first time, and a version with a retractable hardtop was also offered from 1996. During a revision the Vilgas was renamed Rex. Between 1997 and 1998 seven vehicles were built, two of which were sold to Portugal. In 2000 the Panthera appeared, a coupé offered with a choice of Ford V6 engines and BMW straight-six engines. The company itself calls the model R-10, with the R-101 as a coupé, the R-102 with a targa roof and the R-103 as a convertible. There is also a replica of the AC Cobra designated R-12. Rexer is a small, low-volume specialist producer rather than a mass-market carmaker. Its output has been limited, and its cars are known among enthusiasts of hand-built sports cars and kit cars. The company has been documented in reference works such as The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile and in enthusiast databases such as Allcarindex and d'Auto.

Rexer OÜ was founded in 1992 in Tallinn, Estonia. From the outset the company worked on the development of automobiles and kit cars. The first model was the Vilgas, which used a spaceframe chassis and a lightweight fibreglass body. Initially the engine came from Lada; a Ford engine of 2,000 cc displacement became available shortly afterwards. In 1996 the company obtained Estonian type approval for the model, which allowed regular production and sales to begin. That same year a Ford V6 engine of 2,900 cc was used for the first time, and a version with a retractable hardtop was added to the range. During a revision of the model the Vilgas was renamed Rex. Between 1997 and 1998 seven vehicles were built, two of which were exported to Portugal. In 2000 the company introduced the Panthera, a coupé. Buyers could choose between Ford V6 engines and BMW straight-six engines. The company markets this model as the R-10 family, comprising the R-101 coupé, the R-102 with a targa roof and the R-103 convertible. In addition, Rexer offers a replica of the AC Cobra under the designation R-12. Rexer has remained a small specialist producer. Its cars are documented in reference literature, including the Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile, and in enthusiast databases such as Allcarindex and d'Auto.

• 2000

  Panthera coupé introduced, offered with Ford V6 or BMW straight-six engines; marketed as R-10 family (R-101, R-102, R-103).

• 1997

  Production of the Rex model; seven vehicles built between 1997 and 1998, two sold to Portugal.

• 1996

  Estonian type approval obtained; regular production and sales begin. First use of a Ford 2,900 cc V6 engine; retractable hardtop version offered. Vilgas renamed Rex.

• 1992

  Company founded in Tallinn, Estonia; development of automobiles and kit cars begins.

Low-volume specialist manufacturer of hand-built sports cars and kit cars.

• Vilgas

  First model, spaceframe chassis with fibreglass body; initially Lada engine, later Ford 2,000 cc and 2,900 cc V6; renamed Rex.

• Rex

  Renamed version of the Vilgas after revision; produced 1997–1998.

• Panthera / R-10

  Coupé introduced in 2000; Ford V6 or BMW straight-six engines; variants R-101 coupé, R-102 targa, R-103 convertible.

• R-12

  Replica of the AC Cobra.

1. 1Rexer OÜ – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Rexer – Wikidatawikidata.org