Dodge put the supercar world on edge when it introduced its Viper at the 1991 Indianapolis 500 race with Carroll Shelby piloting the car. After its stunning reception, people instantly realized these high-horsepower roadsters would be destined as future collectible vehicles. Its innovative design, unbelievable brutal V10 power and limited production instantly launched the car to modern classic status. Often referred to as the Shelby Cobra of the ’90s, today, low-mile, first-generation, first-year 1992 Vipers are coveted among collectors and performance enthusiasts.
Powered by the legendary Lamborghini-designed aluminum 8.0-liter V10 producing 400hp, the vehicle is backed with a 6-speed manual transmission. The body is a tubular steel frame with resin transfer molding (RTM) fiberglass panels. It has a curb weight of 3,284 pounds and lacks modern driver aids such as traction control and anti-lock brakes. Its large tires allow the car to average close to one lateral g in corners. The Viper was one of the most elite and impressive cars of its day, boasting performance achievements of 0-60 times in just 4.6 seconds, completing the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds and having a top speed of 150 mph. It could be argued this vehicle’s very introduction helped spearhead the renaissance in the all-American supercar creation during the quarter-century that followed.
The 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 offered here is #133 of the 285 Vipers built in that inaugural production year. With a clean CARFAX, the car has spent most of its life carefully stored and just admired; it has averaged about 75 miles per year since new, with the odometer reading just 1,941 actual miles. The late Carroll Shelby added even more collectability to this car by signing it in two places. This Viper represents a true, low-mileage piece of American automotive history.
