The Koenigsegg CC8S Chassis That No Longer Exists

The CC8S is Koenigsegg’s first production car and there were only six examples of these built from 2002 to 2003. Out of these six cars, CC8S chassis #003 is the most fascinating example not only because it no longer exists, but also because of its rather eventful life.

CC8S chassis #003 was one of only 2 RHD examples of the CC8S, being delivered to the UK. It was originally finished in a shade called “Nordic Ice Green” and first showcased at the 2002 Goodwood Festival of Speed. There are only a handful of photos of this car in its original shade out there (like the one above) before it was repainted grey in the beginning of 2003.

CC8S #003 would be shown in its new color for the first time in the 2003 Geneva Motor Show where it was showcased along with chassis #002. This car would then attend the 2003 Gumball 3000 where it would become part of an urban legend, allegedly getting a 242 miles per hour speeding ticket issued in Texas during the event. Although we’ll probably never know the actual story behind this urban legend, what I do know is that the car would be featured in “Gumball 3000: The Movie” which was filmed during that year’s event.

Sometime after its appearance in the Gumball 3000, the car would be repainted once again, this time in black. Little is known about what the car did after that until it was sent back to Koenigsegg sometime around 2004 where it would spend its final days as a CC8S, as Koenigsegg would convert the car into CCR chassis #026.

While there hasn’t been any official confirmation, it’s almost certain that #003 is the CC8S that was converted into CCR #026 because there hasn’t been any reference to that car after it went back to Koenigsegg in 2004, indeed this CCR also has the exact same red and black interior from its time as a CC8S, more specifically during the car’s final color stint. The car also has only two air conditioning vents on the center console instead of the usual four vents (two on the console, two on either side) offered on the CCR.

This CCR would be delivered to Australia and was first shown at the Australian International Motor Show in 2004, it remains there to this day and was seen as recently as 2023 at a private garage in Melbourne. Interestingly at one point this car had a “DR DRE” number plate.

Although CC8S #003 was around for only two years before its conversion, it has fortunately been documented quite well in its short life and there are many photos that give insight into the story of this fascinating and special car.