An original Mosler MT900S has surfaced for sale, drawing renewed attention to one of the most unconventional performance cars ever produced in the United States. Built in extremely limited numbers, the MT900S represents a brief but ambitious attempt to challenge European supercars through engineering efficiency rather than luxury branding.
The MT900 program was conceived in the late 1990s by financier Warren Mosler and executed by Rod Trenne, best known for his work on the Chevrolet C5 Corvette. The goal was to create a lightweight, mid-engine American supercar focused on structural innovation, balance, and speed. The resulting vehicle prioritized performance above comfort, deliberately avoiding the grand touring formula that defined many of its contemporaries.
The first street-legal MT900S delivered carried notable provenance, as it went to George Lucas, underscoring the early attention the car generated. At launch, the MT900 ranked among the fastest-accelerating production vehicles in the world, helped by its low mass and rigid chassis.
Construction centered on a carbon fiber and honeycomb aluminum tub paired with chromoly steel subframes. Power came from a General Motors LS-series V8 mounted behind the driver and paired with a Porsche-sourced manual transaxle. Early road cars produced roughly 350 horsepower, while the MT900S increased output to approximately 405 horsepower, maintaining a curb weight far below that of most supercars of the era.
Performance figures reflected that focus. Acceleration to 60 mph occurred in about 3.5 seconds, with quarter-mile times near 12 seconds. More notable than straight-line speed was the car’s braking and cornering capability, attributed to double-wishbone suspension at all four corners and carefully tuned geometry.
Racing versions reinforced the platform’s credibility. The MT900R achieved a class victory at the 2003 24 Hours of Daytona, while later GT3 variants adapted the design for international competition. Across all versions, total production is generally estimated at roughly 85 cars, split between road-going examples and dedicated race chassis.
The 2004 MT900S now offered for sale adds forced induction, increasing output to 600 horsepower. Finished in orange with a carbon fiber-heavy interior, it retains the car’s minimalist ethos while incorporating limited comfort features. Offered from Berkeley, California with a clean title, the car serves as a reminder of an American supercar that arrived ahead of its time and quietly disappeared before the market could fully catch up.
Via Bring a Trailer
