SWEDE EMOTION
Maxim|July - August 2020
The making of the legend of Koenigsegg, Sweden’s record-breaking ‘‘megacar’’ marque
NICOLA S STECHER
SWEDE EMOTION

The Koenigsegg story begins, in its purest form, in the rolling hills of a mythical town called Pinchcliffe. At the Pinchcliffe Grand Prix, to be exact—Ivo Caprino’s 1975 stop motion film featuring a bicycle repairman named Theodore Rimspoke and his animal cohorts. In the film, notably the most popular in Norwegian history, Rimspoke conspires to build the

fastest car ever made and win his hometown’s GP against a traitorous ex-assistant. When an impressionable Christian von Koenigsegg first watched it wide-eyed as a child, Rimspoke’s ambition resonated so deeply he turned to his father as they leftthe cinema and declared that, one day, he too would build the fastest car in the land.

“That’s what I’m going to do when I grow up, I told my father,” Christian recalls of that distant afternoon. “I’m going to be that bicycle repairman.”

All kids dream, of course. But Rimspoke, described as “an independent sort of fellow, more of an inventor than a businessman,” parallels Christian in ways too uncanny to ignore. While the fictional Scandinavian craftsman made his name inventing a dualengined, copper-bodied hotrod dubbed Il Tempo Gigante (with spinning onboard radar, naturally), this thoughtful, determined Scandinavian has also made his name inventing machines of absurd provenance.

This story is from the July - August 2020 edition of Maxim.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July - August 2020 edition of Maxim.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MAXIMView All
WATER WORLD
Maxim US

WATER WORLD

The New York Yacht Club team, American Magic, will make another run at the America's Cup in Barcelona through October

time-read
4 mins  |
September/October 2024
THE 2024 MAXIM HOT 100
Maxim US

THE 2024 MAXIM HOT 100

What does it mean to be hot? Maxim's eagerly anticipated Hot 100 portfolio asks just that, charting the individuals who are blazing a trail in entertainment, fashion, sports and pop culture. Not only are these world-class stars soaring high, breaking ground, smashing records and inspiring future generations with their inimitable talent and determination, they're doing it all while emitting a sizzling, sparkling energy that leaves us in awe. Read on with caution: These names are on fire right now!

time-read
1 min  |
September/October 2024
Class Act
Maxim US

Class Act

If you're looking for Elizabeth Hurley, check the garden. A longtime staple of screens, glossy magazine spreads and red carpetsparticularly since one unforgettable gown sent her profile stratospheric in 1994-one might be surprised to learn that she has quite the green thumb

time-read
5 mins  |
September/October 2024
Unexpected BEAUTY
Maxim US

Unexpected BEAUTY

A new exhibition and book show why Danish-born photographer Mare Hom is destined for greatness

time-read
3 mins  |
September/October 2024
TURKISH DELIGHT
Maxim US

TURKISH DELIGHT

Türkiye's remote D Maris Bay resort offers a verdant oasis of pristine beaches, opulent amenities and a variety of world-class culinary outposts

time-read
4 mins  |
September/October 2024
The CHOSEN ONE
Maxim US

The CHOSEN ONE

Catching up with Ferrari's star driver Charles Leclerc at the Montreal Grand Prix

time-read
5 mins  |
September/October 2024
MONDO DINO
Maxim US

MONDO DINO

Enzo Ferrari's exquisite homage to his late son Alfredo, the Dino sports car, now enjoys the status of being an all-time classic

time-read
2 mins  |
September/October 2024
Sweet Caroline
Maxim US

Sweet Caroline

As a teenager, Caroline Silta dreamed of becoming a supermodel. With sheer determination, she now walks the runway, graces magazine covers and headlines billboards in Times Square

time-read
3 mins  |
September/October 2024
MANN on the STREET
Maxim US

MANN on the STREET

Exactly one member of the 2023-24 NBA rookie class had built a legacy long before entering the league: Skechers. Last fall, the Los Angeles-based footwear giant launched its inaugural line of technical basketball shoes: the SKX Resagrip and SKX Float.

time-read
3 mins  |
September/October 2024
SPORTS STAR
Maxim US

SPORTS STAR

A conversation with Meg Stewart, Division 1 soccer player-turned-sports and talent agency president

time-read
4 mins  |
September/October 2024