The story of the Dodge Viper

So it Turns Out a New Dodge Viper Isn�t Happening After All

So it Turns Out a New Dodge Viper Isn?t Happening After All

Jun 01, 2018



Last month a report surfaced from a reputable magazine indicating that Fiat Chrysler was working on a new Dodge Viper set to be released in 2021.

Car and Driver, the publication that ran the report, even went so far as to say ?trust us: A new Dodge Viper is happening,? in the body of the story ? so we were fairly confident that this bit of good news could actually be true. Today we learned that wasn?t the case, though, with FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne telling Road & Track that a new Dodge Viper is ?not in the plan,? for Dodge.

At this point you might be saying to yourself ?well yeah, of course the CEO isn?t going to spill the beans!? and you?d probably be right if this were any other automaker but FCA. The company basically laid out every single model it will bring to market between now and 2022 during a special presentation in Italy today. If the folks at FCA were working on a new Viper, it?s almost certain the company would?ve detailed it in today?s presentation.

Marchionne also revealed the Viper never really made any money for FCA. That point is crucial, because Marchionne is keen on making FCA one of the leanest and most profitable car companies in the US by 2022. Seems like a bad time to reintroduce a car that never made them any money, then, don?t you think?

There is some good Dodge-related news to come from today?s presentation, however. Marchionne confirmed a next-generation Dodge Charger and Challenger are on the way ? but they won?t use a version of Alfa Romeo?s Giorgio rear-wheel-drive platform as a previous report indicated. Instead, the two cars will tap a heavily revised version of the LX platform they currently use. The LX architecture is rather old, having originally been developed in Daimler-Chrysler days, but Marchionne promises the overhaul will make it so buyers barely even recognize it?s the same platform. That sounds good to us ? the big old LX platform helps to give the Charger and Challenger some of their charm. And besides, the Challenger still puts up a good fight in sales against the much newer Mustang and Camaro, so consumers clearly have no problem with its underpinnings.

AutoGuide.com

In pictures: Snakes alive! The story of the Dodge Viper
October 5, 2017/by John Redfern


From extreme lightweight roadster to sophisticated sports car, over 25 years the V10-powered Dodge Viper developed into an accomplished American muscle machine. With production now finished, we take a look back at its serpentine story.

1989 Dodge Viper Concept



Intended to replicate the drama and success of the Shelby Cobra, the Viper concept was the product of Chrysler executive Bob Lutz and chief designer Tom Gale. Following an enthusiastic response to the concept car’s debut at the 1989 Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler pulled together a dedicated ‘Team Viper’ to push the car into production in less than three years.

1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster



Given the raucous reaction to the design of the concept car, the rapid transition to production machine saw very few changes. A tubular steel chassis with fibreglass panels had more in common with kit car construction, with Dodge planning to replace the Viper with something more substantial within five years. A $50,000 (£31,000) asking price comfortably undercut the rival Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, with some buyers paying a premium to secure the very first 285 cars offered.

1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster



Just like the Shelby Cobra that had inspired it, the Viper kept the side-exit exhaust pipes from the concept version. Owners would quickly learn of the potential for burnt legs when exiting the low-slung roadster. The RT/10 also took the prize for the coolest use of three-spoke alloy wheels, wrapped in giant tyres. Front rubber was 275/40/17, while the rears were huge 335/35/17-sized in order to keep all the power in check.

1992 Dodge Viper Engine



The heart of the Viper, and its enduring legacy, was the 8.0-litre V10. Based on a Dodge truck engine, but upgraded and recast in aluminium by Lamborghini (then Chrysler owned), this was a monster motor. The first-generation Viper had 400hp, and a tremendous 465lb ft of torque, helping shove the 1,500kg RT/10 from 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. The 0-100mph sprint in under 10 seconds was even more impressive, with an outright top speed of 165mph.

1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 Interior

Given the speed with which the Viper was developed, and the need to keep it light, something had to give. The first Vipers lacked a proper roof, side windows, or even exterior door handles in an effort to reduce weight. Plastic side screens and a fabric roof would be added later, but these were very much an afterthought. ABS braking, traction control, and air conditioning were all absent, with all efforts focussed on raw performance.

1996 Dodge Viper GTS

Keen to build on the success of the RT/10 roadster, Dodge pushed forward with plans for a coupe version of the Viper. Inspired by the classic Shelby Daytona Coupe of the 1960s, the GTS featured a special ‘double bubble’ roof to allow drivers to fit comfortably while wearing helmets. A glass hatchback was also part of the changes, with the spare wheel visible beneath it. Most significant was the colour scheme of GTS Blue with white full-length stripes.

1996 Dodge Viper GTS

Replacing the side-exit exhaust pipes from the roadster with ones that exited from the rear bumper reduced back pressure, helping boost engine output to 450hp, while torque also rose to 488lb ft. The GTS bodyshell boasted far superior aerodynamics to the RT/10, but kept weight low despite the standard fitment of airbags and air conditioning. Improved performance was the result, with the GTS capable of 0-60mph in 4.0 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 185mph. Commendable for a car that cost $66,000 (£49,500), representing around half the price of a Ferrari F355.

1996 Dodge Viper GTS Pace Car

In order to ensure as many people as possible got to see the new streamlined coupe, Dodge offered the Viper GTS as the official pace car for the 1996 Indianapolis 500. As the man who had promoted the idea of the Viper from the outset, and the Chrysler Corporation President, Bob Lutz was given the honour of driving the Viper ahead of the Indy 500 field.

1997 Dodge Viper Range

The launch of the GTS also marked the start of the second generation of the Viper. For the RT/10, this meant the addition of luxuries like air conditioning, electric windows and even airbags to the roadster. The RT/10 also received the same 450hp version of the Viper engine from the GTS, making its performance even more extreme, although it too lost the side-exit exhaust pipes. Track action was also catered for with the Le Mans-ready GTS-R.

1998 Dodge Viper GTS-R Le Mans Winner



Motorsport success didn’t take long for the Viper, with the Team Oreca-ran GTS-R car winning the GT2 class of the 1997 FIA GT Championship. This was a success the GTS-R would repeat for four more years in a row. However, the biggest prize came with a GT2 class one-two finish at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans, repeating the success of the Shelby Daytona Coupe that inspired it. More Le Mans glory would follow in 1999 and 2000.

1998 Dodge Viper GT2 Championship Edition

To celebrate the impressive victories by the GTS-R, and to ensure it met FIA homologation requirements, Dodge produced 100 examples of the GT2 Championship Edition Viper. With a colour scheme inspired by the race car, the Championship Edition also featured the same giant rear wing and front splitters. Power was increased to 460hp, with torque upped to 500lb ft.The interior featured a special commemorative plaque, blue trim accents, and 5-point racing harnesses.

1997 Dodge ‘Copperhead’ Concept

Buoyed by the success of the Viper, the Chrysler Corporation wanted more. Based on a shorter and narrower version of the Viper platform, the Copperhead used a 2.7-litre V6 with 220hp. A snakeskin theme continued inside and out, used on both the interior trim and even the tyres. A legal challenge over the name by rock legend Billy Gibbons caused Chrysler to drop the Copperhead title. Production was planned for 2000, but was subsequently cancelled.

1999 Dodge Viper ACR

Keen to promote the Viper to amateur racers, Dodge created the track-ready American Club Racer variant in 1999. Based on the GT2 Championship Edition, the ACR featured the same 460hp engine. Stiffer adjustable suspension, lightweight BBS wheels, and uprated Michelin tyres were part of the deal, as was an interior stripped of the radio and air conditioning.

2000 Dodge Viper GTS-R Concept

With the Viper fast approaching a decade on sale, preparations were made for the third generation version. Previewing the design direction was the one-off GTS-R Concept, designed by Osamu Shikado who would be responsible for the subsequent production car. With a 500hp version of the Viper V10, the GTS-R Concept was a fully working machine, capable of terrifying journalists who got to experience it. Most important was the reemergence of the side exhaust pipes.

2002 Dodge Viper GTS Final Edition

Starting a tradition of special editions that would continue throughout the Viper’s lifetime, the end of the original version came with a special production run of 360 cars. The Final Edition wore red paintwork with silver stripes, in honour of the GTS-R race cars which had won the 2000 American Le Mans Series. Red stitching featured on the interior, while all cars received a sequentially numbered plaque. The last Vipers also benefited from standard ABS braking, introduced across the range the year before.

2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Roadster

Built under the control of DaimlerChrysler, the Viper underwent a comprehensive overhaul for the third generation. Weight dropped from both the engine and body, with the latter featuring more dramatic angles and creases. The Viper V10 remained, but grew in size to 8.3-litres, resulting in a power hike to 500hp with 525lb ft of torque. Wearing Chrysler’s ‘Street and Racing Technology’ badge, the 2003 Viper boasted a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds, and a top speed close to 190mph. Side-exit exhausts were present, as was a proper folding fabric roof.

2003 Dodge Viper Competition Coupe

Looking remarkably similar to the GTS-R Concept from 2000, the Competition Coupe was the race-ready variant of the new Viper. Utilising the same 8.3-litre V10, but with 20hp more, the Competition Coupe tipped the scales at just 1,360kg with a stripped out interior and composite body panels. Racing teams would later adapt the Competition Coupe for usage in both GT2 and GT3 championships around the globe.

2003 Dodge Tomahawk Concept


Seeing the Viper V10 engine as a brand in its own right, DaimlerChrysler experimented with a number of different applications for it. The Tomahawk Concept was the craziest, using the 8.3-litre engine to create a monstrous motorcycle resembling something from the film Tron. With four wheels, debate raged as to whether it was really car or bike. The headline-grabbing theoretical top speed of 300mph made sure Dodge gained plenty of attention at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. Unsurprisingly, full production did not follow…

…

2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10


Production reality did happen for the Ram SRT-10, mating a Dodge pick-up truck with the 500hp V10 in 2004. Although notably heavier than the Viper, the Ram SRT-10 was still capable of 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 154mph in Regular Cab form. Dodge would later introduce a Quad Cab version for those who liked to scare multiple passengers at once. In 2004 the SRT-10 notched up a Guinness World Record for the world’s fastest production pick-up truck, recording 154.987mph.

2004 Bristol Fighter


Proving that the appeal of the Viper V10 was transatlantic, Bristol Cars utilised the 8.0-litre version of the engine to power the Fighter supercar. Modified to deliver 525hp, the Fighter was claimed to be capable of 0-60mph in 4.0 seconds, and achieve 210mph flat out. The later Fighter S version took things further with 628hp from the V10, while a planned 1,000hp+ turbocharged Fighter T never saw the light of day.

2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe


After a notable absence, a fixed-top coupe version of the Viper SRT-10 appeared in 2005. The coupe was almost identical in construction to the roadster, beyond the obvious ‘double-bubble’ roof. In common with Vipers before, a new addition meant more power, with a subtle tweak to 510hp and 535lb ft to offset the slight weight penalty of the fixed-roof. A top speed in excess of 190mph was granted by the cleaner aerodynamic profile.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR


More developments for the V10 engine saw displacement increase again for the 2008-model Viper, now some 8.4-litres in size. This meant peak power of 600hp and 560lb ft of torque, but the biggest news was the dramatic return of the ACR. Unlike the subtle 1999 version, the ACR of 2008 wore gigantic carbon fibre wings and splitters capable of producing 1,000lb of downforce at 150mph. Limited to just 500 cars, the SRT-10 ACR would also go on to set a new production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2009.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Final Edition


For the final year of production, Dodge planned a number of special editions, such as the Voodoo and 1:33 versions of the racy ACR. However, the Final Edition was most important, with 50 cars built split between coupe, roadster and ACR variants. Even a special chassis build code was used to signify the final cars, all of which were painted Graphite Grey with a black centre stripe outlined in red. A black interior featured red detailing, and also had the all-important numbered plaque.

2012 SRT Viper


The dire situation faced by Chrysler following Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2007, and the need for federal government bailouts, nearly led to the death of the Viper. However, FCA Chairman Sergio Marchionne was determined to keep the Viper, with a finished fifth-generation car shown off in 2012 as a 2013-model year offering. Determined to make SRT a brand itself, the Dodge name was dropped, and the Viper was now coupe only. The 8.4-litre V10 remained, but power had naturally risen even further to 640hp with 600lb ft of torque. Less weight, but new features like launch control and cruise control were also the order of the day.

2012 SRT Viper GTS


The 2013 Viper also came in two flavours – the basic coupe, or the more luxurious GTS version. The latter gained a bonnet with more dramatic air intakes, along with leather upholstery and gunmetal interior details. The Launch Edition of the GTS came in the classic livery of blue with white stripes. Both standard Viper and GTS were able to achieve the 0-60mph sprint in 3.5 seconds, while a top speed of 202mph meant the American snake crossed into true supercar territory.

2012 SRT Viper GTS-R


The Viper returned to competition the American Le Mans Series with the launch of the fifth-generation car. Built in conjunction with the successful Riley Technologies team, the GTS-R used a six-speed sequential gearbox in place of the regular manual unit found in the Viper. After a slow start in 2012 and 2013, the GTS-R came good in the 2014 United SportsCar Championship, taking the GTLM title ahead of Corvette Racing. Mission accomplished, Dodge subsequently terminated the factory racing programme.

2013 SRT Viper TA


In order to keep track day enthusiasts happy, SRT developed a limited edition Time Attack (TA) model. The unique Crusher Orange paintwork was the most obvious change, with the addition of lightweight Sidewinder alloy wheels and carbon fibre splitters slightly harder to spot. Power output remained at 640hp, but track-biased Pirelli tyres, adjustable Bilstein suspension, and uprated Brembo brakes covered the significant changes for circuit driving.

2016 Dodge Viper SRT ACR


First shown as a concept car during the 2014 SEMA show, the ACR returned in 2016 sharper than ever. The Dodge name was also back, with SRT consigned to the branding history books. Little more than a street-legal race car, with the optional Extreme Aero package the ACR could generate 2,000lb of downforce. Carbon ceramic brakes, specially developed Kumho tyres, adjustable Bilstein suspension, and even lightweight carpet was part of the package. Fourteen new lap records at circuits across America justified the $122,000 (£92,000) price tag.

2017 Dodge Viper 25th Anniversary Editions


Despite a dedicated fan base, slow sales made continuing the Viper impossible to justify. To celebrate the end of production, and the 25th anniversary of the Viper, multiple special editions were created. VooDoo II and GTS-R Commemorative Editions celebrated previous limited run cars, along with green Snakeskin edition and the special 1:28 ACR. All 28 cars of the latter sold out in under 40 minutes, while the remaining final-year models took just five days to be snapped up.

End of the Viper


After twenty-five years and more than 31,000 cars built, the very last Viper rolled off the Connor Avenue assembly line In Detroit, Michigan on the 16th August 2017. Although its appeal may have been limited by the end, the world is still a slightly sadder place without the existence of a rumbling V10-powered American sports car in it.

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15 Things You've Forgotten About The Dodge Viper

The Dodge Viper was a pantomime car - everything about it was ridiculous. And that's what made it cooler than any other American car ever made.

• by Stephen Rivers
• Mar 22, 2020

The Viper is the antithesis to the Corvette here in America. A kind of anti-hero so to speak. Where the Corvette has been crowned the greatest American sports car many times in its 50+ year history, the Viper is newer and it struggled to gain a real foothold on the sports car market.

It's got some great upsides though, it's unbelievably powerful. It's far more aggressive-looking than even the new mid-engine Corvette, and it's always been harder and more dangerous to pilot.
Additionally, Dodge has never waivered in terms of the power the Viper produced, every single edition has had high-than-average power numbers and been capable of keeping up with if not eclipsing any Corvette lap time. Today we look at 15 things you have forgotten about the snake from the Chrysler Corporation.


15 Lamborghini Helped With The Engine

Youtube

In 1989, Chrysler owned Lamborghini. When the need for a big bad sports car came along, an aluminum HEMI V8 was almost used before Bob Lutz himself put the ax to that idea. Instead, he turned to his Italian co-workers to help him craft something special and they delivered.

14 2007 Never Happened

Motor1

Due to major modifications scheduled for the 2007 product taking too long to develop Dodge announced that there would be no 2007 Viper. Production of the 2006 version would continue a little longer than planned and then they unveiled a seriously improved car for 2008.

13 It Was Nearly Named Challenger

Youtube

Dodge didn't stumble upon the idea of going retro recently. The Viper could've been called a bunch of things including Side-Winder and Python. Thankfully they stuck with the name they did. Nothing else sounds right.


12 It's Not A Dodge In The Rest Of The World

Art & Revs

If you leave the USA and find a Viper you won't see the word Dodge anywhere on it. That's because it's known as the Chrysler Viper. In fact, on the back left side of the bumper, the Dodge brand isn't stamped there at all. In the few examples that do have a stamp, it says Chrysler.

11 McLaren Helped Develop The Latest Engine

Motor1

Where the Corvette has to settle with brilliant engineers from Chevy working on it, Dodge goes to the big boys whenever they think they need it. McLaren got the tap to help with the newest motor and did as they were asked. Bet you haven't seen those valve covers lately have you?

10 Chrysler Nearly Released Their Own

Chrysler

Seen above is a concept that was only killed in the latest stages called the Chrysler Firepower. If they had managed to build the darn thing they might have saved Viper from an early grave.

You see, it used the HEMI V8 Bob Lutz had nixed earlier it the Viper's life. Not only would that have been cheaper to produce, but another version of the car would've brought volume sales up along with profits.

9 The GTS Didn't Debut Until 5 Years In

Hagerty

I can't speak for you, but I bet most of you think that the RT/10 and the GTS came out together as the original vipers. Not only did the GTS only come out 5 years after the first Viper, but the RT/10 wasn't even the original. It was simply called Viper.

8 Lee Iacocca Had To Approve It

CNBC

We all think of Lee Iacocca in a number of other car's histories but almost never in that of the Viper. The truth is though, that without his blessing, we would never have known the snake we all love. He took a 30 min test drive and then asked: "What are you waiting for?"



7 Bob Lutz Was Considered Its Father

Autoweek

Lutz is known, much like Iacocca, for a bevy of automotive ventures but the Viper was his baby. So much so that he's backed and ultimately become a part of a new company that uses the Viper as a chassis to build onto.

6 There Was A Mamba Edition

GCMW

The very rare Mamba edition was sold for only a year and only 200 cars were ever sold with it. It featured a black and red interior that looks like you bought it out of an Autozone catalog at the time. It offered no other additions.



5 Racing Easter Eggs


MotorTrend

Recent examples are fitted with small little easter eggs like the Nurburgring and Laguna Seca engraved in various spots like the door handles and the cupholders. The importance of those tracks is that the Viper owns or owned lap records there.

4 The Most Famous Viper Race Car Is French



DodgeForum

Did you grow up playing Gran Turismo on Playstation? I know I did, and the Oreca Vipers always gave me fits wherever I met them. Turns out those Vipers were run by a French racing team with some funding from Chrysler themselves. I never would've guessed.



3 It Debuted The Same Day As Lexus & Infiniti

AutomobileMagazine

It might surprise most to know that the day the Viper was released, so was Lexus and its rival Infiniti. How life has changed for all three brands. Viper is gone, Infiniti is constantly trying to reinvent the wheel to gain traction and Lexus is 9/10ths the car that its German rivals are. Now if they could figure out how to build a decent sports car again I think they'd be in business.

2 It's Under The Alfa Romeo TZ3

MCQ

The Alfa Romeo Zagato TZ3 Stradale is one of the rarest cars known to man with only 9 ever being produced. They even chopped parts of the Viper roof line out to get that "Glass all around" look that it has. Nevertheless it's just a Viper in a different dress.



1 It's Used For A Number Of Rare Cars



Wikimedia

Above you're looking at a Bristol Fighter. Some say it's one of the greatest cars you've never heard of. It does look very British. Kind of a new-age Jensen Interceptor or something TVR might've created. That's not bad at all. The Bristol is one of at least 6 other small-batch cars all based on the Viper.

Dodge Viper: Story behind the name

The Dodge Viper gets its name from the Viperidae snake.



Spencer Leech

Contributing Journalist

30 Sep 2020 • 5 min read

The Viperidae, or Viper for short, is among the most aggressive and lethal family of snakes in the world, making it a fairly apt description for what is often described as the “most dangerous” sports car ever made: the Dodge Viper.
It’s not hard to see why the Dodge Viper earned such a description when you consider that the original model's 335kW/664Nm 8.0-litre V10 was backed up by zero driver aids, and next to no real safety features.
The first-generation Viper was released overseas in 1992 without a traction control system or airbags or anti-lock brakes, the roof was made of canvas, and the windows were made from vinyl using zips to open and close.

Even at standstill the car was unfriendly, with some owners reporting burns from the side-mounted exhaust as they exited the vehicle.
The origins of the Viper trace back to the late 1980s with the RT10 concept that appeared at the '89 North American International Auto Show.

In short, the Dodge Viper was not built with safety and accessibility in mind, but rather for brutish and raw performance.

And it was quick too, with power delivered express to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, sending the low-slung and lightweight Yank-tank from zero to 100km/h in just over four seconds and on to a top speed of around 290km/h.
At the drag strip, a standard Dodge Viper recorded quarter-mile sprint times of just 12.6 seconds.

The origins of the Viper trace back to the late 1980s, when then-Chrysler-president Bob Lutz decided the company needed a hero car to help it compete with rivals Ford and Chevrolet.

Mr Lutz, a hugely influential figure in the automotive world, assigned Chrysler’s head of design Tom Gale to develop a two-seat sports car with a powerful engine and a manual gearbox, taking inspiration from 1960s sports cars like the Jaguar E-Type and the Shelby Cobra.
Before Dodge put the Viper into production, they made 93 pilot production vehicles. While this one survived, most were destroyed. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)

The engine was developed with help from Lamborghini, which Chrysler owned at the time, as was much of the Viper’s exterior design.

With these credentials it's little surprise the original Dodge Viper was such a hit amongst petrol heads, and it wasn’t long before Dodge began updating the model.

In 1996, the second-generation Viper debuted a removable hardtop and glass windows among other changes, but it wasn’t until 2003 that the car received a significant overhaul.

The third-generation model brought a sharper, more modern design, while outputs were increased to 373kW/712Nm with a new 8.3-litre V10 engine.
The fourth-gen Viper introduced a 8.4-litre V10 making 447kW/759Nm.
At this point, the Dodge Viper was available in both convertible and coupe body styles, and modern driver aids and interior tech features were more prominent.

The fourth-generation Dodge Viper hit US showrooms in 2008, introducing a 447kW/759Nm 8.4-litre engine developed in part by McLaren Automotive.
After five generations, the Viper was discontinued in 2017.
By the time the fifth generation hit the stands in 2013, the Dodge Viper was a thoroughly modern supercar with a comprehensive driver assistance suite, and creature comforts like a 7.0-inch multimedia system and audio by Harman Kardon.

The Dodge Viper was discontinued in 2017 due in part to dwindling sales, however, overseas sources have claimed that the model was cancelled because of its inability to comply with tightening safety regulations.

Vipers On Motorious With The Most Venomous Bite

By Elizabeth Puckett
Nov 18, 2020,

Check out these super snakes!
When Mopar unleashed the Viper on the public, it was unlike anything available on the market, and this remains true today. The curvaceous American sports car was built with performance as the top priority. During the production of the Dodge Viper, it changed the automotive arena, and the way we look at cars. Even though the Viper is no longer being produced, it's a model that no one can forget. To celebrate the impact of the sports car, here's our picks of some formidable Vipers.

2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Commemorative Edition
Image Via Speed Digital LLC
This is a one owner Viper with only 1,370 Original Miles. It is a Commemorative Edition, and is #17 out of only 100 made. Under the hood sits its original Dodge 8.3L V10 producing 505-horsepower, partnered with its 6-speed manual transmission. It comes documented with all its original paperwork including original booklet with owners manuals, original financing application, and original Build Sheet.

2003 Dodge Viper
Image Via Speed Digital LLC

If you're searching for thrills, this modern day sports car has the power to make your heart race with the convenience and drivability of all of today's high end vehicles. The unmistakable profile and side exit exhaust note are enough to turn heads in any crowd with this Mopar. With incredible acceleration and handling to match, this snake is a one way ticket to excitement. Anyone can show up in a red convertible, be the one who shows up in a Viper.

2010 Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 Edition
Image Via Speed Digital LLC

This 2010 Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 Edition commemorates when a Viper set a Production Car Lap Record at Laguna Seca Raceway, making the entire automotive world take notice. A true track car, Dodge only made 33 of these and this is number 2. You can pretty much rest assured the collectability of this Dodge will only increase with time.

1994 Dodge Viper
Image Via Speed Digital LLC

Check out a Viper that has been driven to shows all over the country, and used as a pleasure vehicle which has never been tracked. It's a true original 10-cylinder monster. The exterior With its low slung curvaceous body panels made of a composite material with fiber reinforced skin, integrated bumpers, front quarter panel door cove, black side pipes long sports car hood, dual bumped roofline, and rear taillights that look much like a stinging bee, this car is an awesome design - all bathed in Dandelion Yellow.

2005 Dodge Viper SRT10 Mamba Edition
Image Via Speed Digital LLC

This 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe for sale has a 500-horsepower 8.3L V10, 6-speed manual transmission, and 13,617 original miles. Additionally, this in one of only 200 Mamba edition vipers ever built!

1997 Dodge Viper GTS
Image Via Speed Digital LLC

Brutally powerful - but with all the right creature comforts - makes a car like this 1997 Dodge Viper GTS instantly attractive. And when you see how this low-mileage supercar has been well-respected all its life, it makes this 450-horsepower machine a truly irresistible deal. Vipers were basically born red...That's why Dodge gave their boldest hue the name Viper Red. So it only seems fitting to get it in this color. This is 1 of 706 Red w/ Black Interior GTS's Produced in 1997.

This Is The Only Dodge Viper GTS CS In The World

12/04/2020

Built by Carroll Shelby and friends, the unique sports car is now up for sale.
In the late 1980s, the Dodge Viper was conceived as sort of a modern-day reimagining of the Shelby Cobra - a curvy, sleek, low-slung American sports car with more engine than was strictly necessary. But the Viper was actually set to get a whole lot more "Shelby" a few years after its introduction, as Carroll Shelby and his friend Dan Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Motorsports developed a specially tuned version of the second-generation Viper: the Dodge Viper GTS CS.
Sadly, the project was scrapped as Carroll Shelby suffered from declining health, putting the kibosh on all 50 of the cars intended for production - but not before Shelby and Fitzgerald managed to complete a prototype.








Now, that prototype - the one and only Dodge Viper GTS CS in existence - is headed to Mecum's annual Kissimmee auction in January. It's a striking red car with a custom open-grille front fascia designed to evoke the original Shelby Cobra, and some distinctly Shelby-esque Le Mans stripes. Output is said to be 450 horsepower, but we're not so sure that's accurate, given that it's identical to the factory Viper GTS power rating. Surely this prototype's modified intake and exhaust, high-performance plug wires, and custom fuel and ignition mapping count for something.














Apart from all that, the Viper GTS CS features a 3.73 rear end, striking lightweight 18-inch Shelby wheels, racing harnesses, and an extensive list of aesthetic modifications - things like Shelby badging, unique side vents, Shelby signatures on multiple surfaces, and a bespoke leather interior with a striking red-and-black color scheme.

This represents the first time ever that this one-off Dodge Viper GTS CS will be sold; incredibly, it's had just a single owner for the past 23 years, making it the rarest, most exceptional sort of "survivor". We have no idea what this stunning, unique piece of automotive history will go for at auction, but if we had to guess, we'd put the amount somewhere between "a lot" and "holy hell, who has that much money lying around?"





This Is The Only Dodge Viper GTS CS In The World

Targa Tasmania 2019 - Dodge Viper ACR, Pure Sound

Jun 6, 2019

Targa Tasmania
5.6K subscribers





Follow John Ireland & Janet Binns as the head to 4th in GT2 at Targa Tasmania 2019 with their Dodge Viper ACR.

We Have So Many Questions About This Weird Dodge Viper Limo

Brian Silvestro
Tue, August 17, 2021



Photo credit: eBay

“Hearst Magazines and Verizon Media may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.”
As far as limo conversions go, this has got to be one of the weirdest we've ever seen. What you see here is a 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 that's had its rear end stretched about two car lengths, with an entirely new cabin section added to seat 12 additional passengers. For sale on eBay right now, it's apparently the only one of its kind.

The front third of this Viper looks totally normal, with a standard front end, doors, and front cabin section. It's only when you venture beyond the rear bulkhead do things get weird. The new, equally roofless passenger compartment looks to be finished in black leather, and has two bucket seats towards the rear. There's even another roll bar structure to keep proportions in check. The back end is pure Viper, with a standard trunk, taillights, and bumper.

The seller doesn't reveal who built this 25-foot Viper, but says it's been used in for "numerous TV shows, commercials, and special events." Whoever executed this build did a fairly decent job, judging by the few pictures included with the listing. It's tough to make a car like this look factory, obviously, but the shut lines look even, and there's nothing falling apart (that we can see, anyway). There's no word on if any modifications have been made to the 8.0-liter V-10 to compensate for the extra weight, but the car has only driven 5900 miles since new, according to the ad.

If you think you can make good use of this Viper limo, you're going to need deep pockets. The seller has it listed on eBay right now with an opening bid of $135,000 and 11 hours remaining. Considering a normal Viper of this vintage costs roughly 100 grand less and probably drives better, we can see why no one's placed a bid yet.

An Unwanted Cost of $1.50 Left the First-Generation Dodge Viper With Actual ‘Blinker Fluid’


May 14, 2023

Car people often joke about adding blinker fluid to repair a faulty or unused turn signal. Then there’s the requisite muffler-bearing joke whenever there’s a squeal from under the hood, and one should never forget to put new summer air into their car tires each spring. However, jokes aside, the first-generation Dodge Viper has a sight glass built into the headlamp assembly that appears to indicate its blinker fluid level. Is this a real feature of early Viper models?
Does the first-generation Dodge Viper have blinker fluid?


How to Replace Blinker Fluid


While there is a fluid-filled glass tube projecting from the headlamps of the first-generation Dodge Viper, it isn’t a blinker fluid level indicator. Instead, those little fluid-filled vials act as a bubble level to ensure the Viper’s headlamps leave the production line at the appropriate height for safe, night-time driving. You might wonder why the leveling bubbles stayed with the car past the end of the production line, and while they serve no purpose after assembly, Dodge decided to save the $1.50 per car it would cost to remove them.

A Dodge Viper Actually Uses Blinker Fluid???


Another interesting fact about the first-generation Dodge Viper’s headlamps includes a connection to BMW. The Drive says that before the Viper’s finalized design, General Electric (GE) developed and produced the unique headlamps for the BMW Z1 at GE’s cost. Ultimately, BMW decided on a different design, and GE put the new headlamps in storage.
When Chrysler began shopping for headlights for the forthcoming Dodge Viper, GE dusted off the sporty projector models from the BMW Z1 project. In contrast to the $1.50 per car savings from leaving the level bubbles on the headlamps, using the Z1 headlamps from GE saved the Dodge Viper program an estimated $3.5 million.

Besides blinker fluid, what else is unique about the first-gen Viper?
A Dodge Viper on display | Martyn Lucy via Getty Images

Chrysler introduced the Dodge Viper to the world at the 1989 Detroit Auto Show as a concept car. The production model Viper RT/10 debuted three years later at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show. First-gen Vipers featured a 400-hp 8.0-liter V10 engine with 465 lb-ft of torque and a six-speed manual shift transmission.
Other unique Viper features lie in its lack of “creature comforts.” For example, the 1992 Dodge Viper carried an MSRP of over $50,000 but did not have glass side windows, air conditioning, a roof, or exterior door handles. The Viper’s 0 to 60 mph sprint took a mere 4.2 seconds, and its top speed exceeded 160 mph. However, a lack of stability control and ABS required drivers to maintain control without even the most fundamental driver assist features, says MotorTrend.

What is it like to drive a first-generation Dodge Viper?


In 2017, the final year of Dodge Viper production, a journalist from Car and Driver stepped back into automotive time to drive a first-gen Dodge Viper RT/10. While the Viper’s finer points include features other than ergonomics and interior design, its racecar-like demeanor makes it easy to overlook its design flaws and lack of comfort.
The Viper reportedly remained glued to the test track, readily transmitting information from the driver to the track and back through the steering wheel. Applying the throttle resulted in pulsating acceleration only overshadowed by the 488-cubic-inch V10’s raucous exhaust note. Finally, although the brake pedal offered little feedback, the Viper’s substantial braking power brought the car down from speed in a hurry.


An Unwanted Cost of $1.50 Left the First-Generation Dodge Viper With Actual 'Blinker Fluid' (motorbiscuit.com)