Fired Vector Exec Holes Up in Seized Office

Vector Aeromotive Corp.’s founder, ousted as chief of the “super car” builder, was holed up in his Los Angeles-area office Wednesday after seizing the factory and headquarters in a standoff with new management and the Indonesian investors who control the company.

Gerald A. Weigert, whose “performance collectibles” cars are built with materials and instruments borrowed from spaceships and fighter jets, had been given until the weekend to step aside in a face-saving manner.

But when opening time arrived Monday at the four older buildings where Vector operates in Wilmington, Weigert had changed the locks and posted armed guards.

Weigert was still holed up there Wednesday and did not return telephone calls answered by a temporary worker.

“He refuses to recognize he is terminated,” Vector Vice President Robert Braner said in a telephone interview from his home.

“He has sent out faxes saying everyone is fired.”

In its brief history, the company has built about a car a month, for a total of 22. It has sold 20, including one to tennis star Andre Agassi. Its current Vector WX8 lists for $448,000.

In addition to Weigert, Vector has three board members: John Pope, George Fencl and Baduram Dorpi. Dorpi, who represents the Indonesian interests, joined Pope and Fencl on Monday in firing Weigert from his $275,000 job as chairman, CEO and president.

Company officials familiar with the dispute said a list of 17 or 18 complaints had been drawn up against Weigert. Allegations range from paying too little attention to daily details to using a corporate expense account to pay a bill from “Naughty Nighties.”

Joseph Wicks, the company’s general counsel, said he had asked a state court in Los Angeles to rule that Weigert’s firing was legitimate and to order him out.