Vehicle Description
Although there are newer Vipers out there, including several
redesigns in the past 25 years, none have had the
blunt-force-trauma impact of the original GTS. It was the Cobra
Daytona coupe reincarnated, but this time with 8-liters of V-10
fury under the hood, a quick-shifting 6-speed gearbox, and a sports
suspension that could actually dance. Even today, this 1996 Dodge
Viper GTS commands more respect on the street than just about
anything else ever built. With only 13,838 actual miles on the
clock, this is one of the very rare SRII Vipers that hasn't been
ridden hard and put up wet, making it a genuine collector's exotic.
And with Fiat/Chrysler Group discontinuing the model in 2017, these
bone-stock, superclean, and survivor-grade up-model GTS versions
are skyrocketing in value.
Viper fans are particular about their cars. Yes, they use them to
their potential, but they are also fanatical about maintenance and
the cars are seldom used as daily drivers. With just 13838 original
miles, this 1996 GTS looks practically new in every respect,
showing off a brilliant Code PBE Viper GTS Blue paint job that
could easily compete with a Ferrari or Ford GT on the eyeball
magnet scale. It's wearing a classic white stripe package down the
middle, and despite the somewhat light-hearted color combination
(although don't say that to Shelby fans), this one looks downright
brutal because of it. The design is a masterclass of streamlined
curvature over a lightweight, sporty body, and the dramatic lines
are as crisp and clean as they were the day this beauty left the
factory. The paint is incredibly strong as well, showing only very
minor imperfections, limited to a couple touch-up spots and maybe a
scuff or two on the lower portion of the body that can really only
be seen with squinted eyes. We'd wager the little bit of wear that
separates this GTS from showcar to top-end driver could be remedied
with a cut-and-buff, while the rest of the finish is presented with
a deep, lustrous gloss that commensurate to its extremely low
mileage. Hand built by Chrysler employees specially chosen for the
enviable job, it exhibits better-than-average build quality
throughout, and seeing one of these on the street is still an event
that brings in the crowds. Nobody (and I mean nobody!) tangles with
one of these at the stop light grand prix.
The GTS benefitted big time from a more civilized interior that
included actual power windows/locks, leather hides, A/C, and even
an effective stereo system. Note that I didn't say it WAS
completely civilized (as in, it hasn't been neutered of its GO FAST
vibe) just much more civilized than the R/T, let alone the previous
SRI generation, and that's a big part of the Viper's charm. You
need to manhandle this car, show it who's boss, and it isn't for
the faint of heart that are more concerned about the destination
rather than the journey. Thankfully, it no longer shares similar
components and materials that Chrysler used in their minivans,
something the primitive SRIs could not boast. No, the inside of the
GTS is definitely all sports-car, and you feel that the second you
sink into the sculpted, leather bucket seats. A wide, expansive
dash features white-faced gauges ahead of the driver and a quartet
of auxiliary units in the center stack, a thick steering wheel
mounted atop a tilt column, and even dual airbags - a safety
feature you'll be thankful for the second you feel the rear end get
squirrely on a wet road. The Borg Warner T56 is managed via a
6-speed shifter that allows you to punch through the gears without
fear of breaking anything, and the emergency break is a short reach
away if you really want to get this girl spinning. At some point an
Alpine AM/FM/CD head unit was added for entertainment, and the A/C
system is a reminder that this Viper isn't trying to kill you, it
wants you comfortable while you embarrass everyone else out on the
road. There's a bit of storage under the rear hatch, but if you're
worried about carrying capacity in your Viper, perhaps you're
shopping at the wrong store.
The 8.0-liter V10 got a horsepower boost in the GTS that ensured
that the baddest snake on the street remained that way. There are
thousands of upgrades available, but other than routine maintenance
items, this one remains bone stock - further testament to the
former owner's excellent treatment of this collector piece. Even
stock, the 3600 pound Viper GTS brings 450 horsepower and 490
pounds of torque, so it's certainly no slouch on the street.
There's no mistaking the bright red intake and valve covers, and
this one shows off the efforts of very conscientious owners who
kept it immaculate under the hood. All of the original equipment is
intact, and by the looks of things it hasn't been raced or abused,
although we'll admit that it's impossible to keep your foot out of
the throttle. The exhaust is stock, but Borla mufflers were added -
just in case your neighbors weren't scared enough, and the
all-independent suspension works well on the street or the track,
meaning you don't have to be a daredevil to drive this 2nd
generation Viper. Power steering and power 4-wheel disc brakes also
improve this beast's road manners, and flashy chrome five-spoke
wheels are wrapped in giant 275/40/17 front and 335/35/17 rear
Michelin tires that stick like flypaper.
The stories are true and these cars remain the last untamed
performance machines. Documented with its original bill of sale,
owner's manuals, window sticker, and maintenance records, this
completely stock Viper GTS features a clear history report and only
13838 actual miles since new. An iconic, American exotic that's an
absolute blast to drive that will definitely continue to have
financial upside in the future. Who could ask for more? Call
today!
