The History of Falcon Motorsports
The Story of an American Boutique Supercar Builder
Falcon Motorsports is a small American automotive manufacturer known for producing ultra-high-performance supercars in extremely limited numbers. Founded in 2009, the company emerged during a time when boutique supercar manufacturers were attempting to challenge established brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren by building low-volume, high-performance vehicles aimed at wealthy enthusiasts and collectors.
The company is best known for its flagship vehicle, the Falcon F7, an American-built supercar that emphasized extreme power, lightweight materials, and custom craftsmanship. Although Falcon Motorsports never produced vehicles in large quantities, it gained attention for its bold engineering goals and for representing an attempt to revive the spirit of American independent supercar builders.
Operating primarily during the early 2010s, Falcon Motorsports faced many of the challenges common to small automotive startups, including limited production capacity, high development costs, and the difficulties of competing against global luxury brands. Nevertheless, the company achieved several notable milestones and remains remembered for producing one of the rarest American supercars ever built.
Founder Jeff Lemke: Background and Vision
Falcon Motorsports was founded by Jeff Lemke, an American entrepreneur and automotive enthusiast based in Holly, Michigan. Lemke’s background was not in large-scale automotive manufacturing but rather in industrial design, fabrication, and performance vehicle customization.
Prior to founding Falcon Motorsports, Lemke operated Falcon Motorsports and Design, a company focused on high-end vehicle customization, fabrication work, and specialty automotive engineering. Through his work with performance vehicles and custom fabrication, Lemke developed a deep interest in building a completely original American supercar.
His vision was to create a car that combined:
- Extreme performance
- Aerospace-grade materials
- Hand-built craftsmanship
- Exclusivity
Lemke believed that American manufacturers could still produce world-class supercars if they focused on engineering efficiency and high-quality materials rather than mass production.
With this philosophy in mind, he began development of Falcon Motorsports’ first and only production vehicle: the Falcon F7.
Founding of Falcon Motorsports (2009)
Falcon Motorsports was officially established in 2009 in Holly, Michigan, a small town located roughly 55 miles northwest of Detroit.
The company entered development during a period when several boutique supercar companies were emerging in the United States, including manufacturers attempting to challenge European performance brands with exotic low-volume vehicles.
Falcon Motorsports began work on a prototype supercar that would eventually become the Falcon F7.
The company’s approach emphasized:
- Carbon fiber and Kevlar composite materials
- Lightweight construction
- A powerful American V8 engine
- Hand-built manufacturing
This approach reflected the tradition of American independent sports car builders, similar in spirit to companies like Saleen or Mosler.
Development of the Falcon F7
After several years of development, Falcon Motorsports unveiled the Falcon F7 in 2012.
The vehicle made its public debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, one of the most important automotive events in the United States. The debut attracted significant media attention because it showcased a new American supercar built by a small Michigan-based manufacturer.
Design and Engineering
The Falcon F7 was designed as a mid-engine supercar featuring a lightweight composite structure.
Key design elements included:
- Carbon fiber and Kevlar body panels
- Aluminum monocoque chassis
- Extensive use of lightweight materials
- Aerodynamic body styling
The car’s design was aggressive and angular, reflecting modern supercar aesthetics while also emphasizing aerodynamic performance.
Engine and Performance
The Falcon F7 was powered by a 7.0-liter V8 engine derived from General Motors’ LS7 platform, the same basic engine architecture used in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 of the era.
Key specifications included:
- Horsepower: approximately 620 horsepower
- Torque: about 585 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Top speed: approximately 200 mph
- 0–60 mph: about 3.3 seconds
These figures placed the F7 within the performance range of many European supercars costing significantly more.
Factory Operations
Falcon Motorsports operated out of a small manufacturing facility in Holly, Michigan.
Unlike large automobile manufacturers with automated production lines, Falcon Motorsports built vehicles in a hand-assembled workshop environment.
Factory operations typically included:
- Hand-laid composite body panels
- Custom chassis assembly
- Engine installation using sourced powertrains
- Individual interior customization
Each car required extensive manual labor and specialized fabrication work.
Because of this production method, the company planned to build only a very small number of vehicles annually, typically fewer than 10 cars per year.
This level of exclusivity made the Falcon F7 one of the rarest American supercars ever produced.
What Made Falcon Motorsports Different
Falcon Motorsports stood apart from most automakers for several reasons.
Extremely Limited Production
While major automakers produce hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually, Falcon Motorsports built cars in single-digit quantities per year.
Aerospace-Inspired Materials
The extensive use of carbon fiber, Kevlar, and aluminum allowed the company to produce a lightweight vehicle with high structural rigidity.
Handcrafted Construction
Every Falcon F7 was essentially a custom-built vehicle, assembled largely by hand rather than through automated manufacturing.
American Engineering Philosophy
Rather than using exotic European engines, Falcon Motorsports relied on a large-displacement American V8, emphasizing simplicity, reliability, and power.
Major Milestones
Several important milestones defined Falcon Motorsports’ brief history.
2009 – Company Founded
Jeff Lemke established Falcon Motorsports in Holly, Michigan, and began development of a prototype supercar.
2012 – Detroit Auto Show Debut
The Falcon F7 was officially unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, marking the company’s first major public appearance.
2013 – Production Begins
Limited production of the Falcon F7 began, with the company announcing plans to produce a small number of vehicles annually.
Marketing and Publicity Strategies
Falcon Motorsports relied on media exposure and automotive events rather than traditional advertising campaigns.
Auto Show Debut
The Detroit Auto Show reveal served as the company’s primary marketing launch. By unveiling the car at one of the largest automotive events in the United States, Falcon Motorsports gained coverage from numerous automotive media outlets.
Exclusivity Marketing
The company promoted the Falcon F7 as an extremely rare collector vehicle, appealing to wealthy buyers who valued exclusivity.
Performance Reputation
Falcon Motorsports also emphasized performance specifications to demonstrate that its car could compete with European supercars.
Racing Programs
Unlike some boutique manufacturers, Falcon Motorsports did not operate a major racing program.
The company’s limited resources were focused primarily on developing and producing the Falcon F7 road car. However, the vehicle’s performance characteristics—such as its lightweight chassis and powerful engine—made it suitable for track use by private owners.
Some Falcon F7 owners reportedly used their vehicles in private track events and performance driving experiences, but the company itself did not establish a formal racing team.
Hardships and Challenges
Like many small automotive startups, Falcon Motorsports encountered several significant challenges.
Limited Financial Resources
Developing a supercar requires substantial funding for engineering, testing, and regulatory compliance. As a small company, Falcon Motorsports had limited financial resources compared to major manufacturers.
Production Costs
The extensive use of carbon fiber and custom fabrication significantly increased production costs. This made it difficult to scale production.
Market Competition
Falcon Motorsports competed against well-established brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren. Convincing buyers to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a vehicle from a little-known manufacturer was a major challenge.
Regulatory Compliance
Meeting safety and emissions standards—especially for U.S. road-legal vehicles—can be expensive for low-volume manufacturers.
Because of these challenges, production numbers remained extremely small.
U.S. Consumer Reception
Within the United States, the Falcon F7 received generally positive attention from automotive enthusiasts and journalists.
Reviewers praised several aspects of the vehicle:
- Powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine
- Lightweight construction
- Distinctive styling
- Hand-built exclusivity
However, there were also concerns about:
- The company’s limited production capacity
- Lack of dealership and service networks
- The long-term support for such a rare vehicle
Despite these concerns, collectors and enthusiasts admired the car as a bold attempt to create a new American supercar.
Falcon Motorsports Vehicle Models
Falcon Motorsports produced very few vehicles, and its lineup was extremely limited.
Falcon F7 (2012–2017)
The company’s primary production vehicle, featuring a 620-horsepower V8 engine and carbon fiber construction.
Estimated production: about 7 vehicles worldwide
Falcon F7 Series 1 Prototype
The initial development version of the F7 used for testing and demonstration.
Production: 1 prototype
Falcon F7 Development Variants
Several prototype and pre-production versions of the F7 were built during development.
Production: very small numbers
The Most Popular Falcon Vehicle
Because Falcon Motorsports produced essentially one production model, the Falcon F7 is considered the company’s most popular and successful vehicle.
Sales Figures
Due to extremely limited production, estimates suggest:
- U.S. sales: approximately 6 vehicles
- Global sales: approximately 7 vehicles
These numbers make the Falcon F7 one of the rarest American supercars ever built.
Reasons for Its Popularity
The Falcon F7 gained attention for several reasons:
- Its extremely low production numbers
- Powerful American V8 engine
- Carbon fiber construction
- Debut at the Detroit Auto Show
For collectors, the vehicle’s rarity is one of its most appealing characteristics.
Ownership and Corporate Structure
Falcon Motorsports was not acquired by another company and did not merge with any major automaker.
The company remained privately owned and operated by Jeff Lemke throughout its existence.
Because the company was extremely small and independently funded, it operated largely outside the traditional automotive corporate structure.
Decline of Production
By the mid-2010s, Falcon Motorsports appeared to slow or cease production of new vehicles.
Several factors likely contributed to this development:
- High manufacturing costs
- Limited demand at the vehicle’s price point
- The financial difficulty of sustaining low-volume supercar production
Public information about production became increasingly limited after 2017, suggesting that manufacturing operations had largely stopped.
Current Status and Outlook
As of today, Falcon Motorsports appears to be largely inactive as a vehicle manufacturer.
The company has not announced new production vehicles in recent years, and no confirmed large-scale manufacturing activity has been reported.
However, Falcon Motorsports has not officially declared bankruptcy or formal closure, and the brand technically still exists.
Because of the extremely small number of vehicles produced, the Falcon F7 has become a rare collector’s car occasionally appearing at automotive events and private collections.
Legacy
Although Falcon Motorsports never achieved large production numbers, the company represents an important example of the American boutique supercar tradition.
Small manufacturers like Falcon Motorsports demonstrate how independent entrepreneurs can attempt to challenge established automotive brands through innovative engineering and passion for performance.
The Falcon F7 stands as a symbol of that ambition: a hand-built American supercar created by a small team determined to build something unique.
Conclusion
Falcon Motorsports occupies a fascinating niche in modern American automotive history. Founded in 2009 by Jeff Lemke in Holly, Michigan, the company set out to build a world-class supercar using lightweight materials, powerful American engines, and hand-crafted construction techniques.
The result was the Falcon F7, a 620-horsepower mid-engine supercar that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in 2012 and quickly captured the attention of automotive enthusiasts. Despite its impressive specifications and striking design, the company struggled with the same challenges faced by many boutique manufacturers—limited funding, high production costs, and competition from established global brands.
Although only a handful of vehicles were ever built, Falcon Motorsports demonstrated that even a small independent company could produce a machine capable of competing with the world’s most prestigious supercars. Today, the Falcon F7 remains one of the rarest and most intriguing American performance cars of the 21st century, representing both the ambition and the challenges of building a supercar from scratch.
