Alex Unleashed on Cars- Dodge Viper (How America Got its Mojo Back)

 

When the oil crisis hit in 1973, the US car market was devastated. They’d gotten used to big powerful engines with single digit MPG figures and then to suddenly have to create small and frugal cars was a big upset. America did try to make muscle cars in the oil crisis era, but they were mere shadows of their former selves. This lasted throughout the 70s and 80s until 1988, when Chrysler engineers decided to make a car in the image of the Shelby Cobra to put America back on the map.

I’d also like to clarify something; the Vipers engine is not literally a truck engine as the block in the Viper is aluminium and the truck’s block is cast iron but apart from that they are both very similar. In fact, the block was made by Lamborghini (who were owned by Chrysler at the time).

The Viper really did reignite the love and pride Americans had for their cars, here was a 160 MPH no-compromise supercar that could out-gun all but the most expensive exotica. That said, owning an early Viper RT/10 is not a comfortable experience as it has no windows, a canvas roof and the interior (on all Vipers might I add) is typical American car- cheap and nasty. But considering it's essentially a Shelby Cobra for the 90s then I suppose it’s no surprise the only car less civilised is a Caterham JPE.

Following up on the success of the Viper RT/10 roadster, a coupe model was launched in ’96 complete with Cobra-esque blue with white stripes paintwork and a more generous level of equipment, followed up by the first GTS-R racing versions the same year. The racers quickly made a name for themselves by being fast and reliable racers, regularly duelling with Lister Storms, 911’s and Corvettes across Europe and the US with the Viper eventually winning the 24 hours of Nürburgring and Spa in both 2001 and 2002. Back to the coupe, now called the GTS, it was even faster than before, capable of topping 176 MPH and 0-100 MPH in just 10 seconds, but it was still a bit of a truck to drive and got very hot inside unless the air con was running full blast. Whilst Road & Track gave it a glowing report, Top Gear Magazine weren't so sure, against the TVR Cerbera 4.5, Aston Martin Vantage & AC Cobra. the Viper was 2nd fastest in a straight line, but professional drivers Alan Menu & Jason Plato found it too big and cumbersome to really enjoy.

The GTS would then be replaced by the SRT-10 (because someone in the UK copyrighted Viper) in 2003 before the SRT Viper GTS brought back the Viper name after a 3-year hiatus in 2013 with the Viper sadly being axed for good in 2017.

The Dodge Viper is one of those cars with a big cult following, people love it despite its flaws, they love the engine, the looks and the pedigree, Road & Track evened called it "The Last Great American car". It’s a modern classic through and through, and I’d say it was the car that made Americans' proud of their cars again because it has all the same qualities and things we love about old school muscle cars and those cars are part of motoring folklore, so don’t be too surprised when the Viper is remembered as that flawed but charming and blisteringly fast American supercar. I'd say it's not just an epic car, but a legendary one.

Year Produced: 1992 – 2002

Engine: 8.0 Litre V10

Power: 400 – 450 BHP

Torque: 400 – 490 Ib/ft

Top Speed: 160 – 180 MPH

0-60: 5.0 – 4.5 Seconds

Price: £50,000 - £69,995

Rivals: TVR Griffith/Cerbera, Aston Martin Vantage, Honda NSX, Chevrolet Corvette, Lotus Esprit V8