The Dodge Viper is a V10-powered sportscar manufactured by the Dodge division of the Chrysler Corp. The car, as well as numerous variations of it, have made countless appearances in TV shows, videogames, movies, and music videos. Unlike most Dodge models, the Viper is using the snake badge rather than the conventional Dodge badge.
The Viper was initially conceived in late 1988 at Chrysler’s Advanced Design Studios. The following February, Chrysler president Bob Lutz suggested to Chrysler Design that the company should consider producing a modern Cobra and a clay model was presented to Lutz a few months later. Produced in sheet metal by Metalcrafters, the car appeared as a concept at the North American International Auto Show in 1989. Public reaction was so enthusiastic that the chief engineer was directed to develop it as a standard production vehicle.
He selected 85 engineers to be the “Team Viper” which started in March 1989. The team asked the then-Chrysler subsidiary Lamborghini to cast a prototype aluminum block for the sports car to use in May. The production body was completed in the fall with a chassis prototype running in December. Though a V8 engine was first used in the test model, the V10 was ready in February 1990. Official approval from Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca came in May 1990. One year later, Carroll Shelby piloted a pre-production vehicle as the pace car in the Indianapolis 500 race. In November 1991, the car was released to reviewers with first retail shipments beginning in January 1992.
This Viper Roadster has 420 hp and a 6 speed transmission with 490 ft lb torque.