Introduced in 1992, the Viper was a mega-muscle/sports car that would be a part of Dodge’s portfolio until 2017. The 10-cylinder engine was easily rated at 400 hp and these hot rods could do 0-60 in about 4 seconds, causing whiplash if you weren’t prepared. This 1994 edition is one of 3,083 produced and has just 60,000 miles on it. It’s available in Largo, Florida, and here on craigslist for $38,000. Thanks for the tip on this more modern Mopar, Rocco B.!
When it came to performance cars, Dodge generally carried the torch for Chrysler. When in the case of the Viper, it was like a Chevy Corvette on steroids. Depending on the variant and model year, the Viper could do between 160 and 200 mph wide open. The mammoth V10 engine was designed by Chrysler in cooperation with Lamborghini, which was owned by Chrysler at the time. Though produced over 26 years, there were no Vipers built in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
Creature comforts were not a strong suit for the Viper. There were no exterior-mounted door handles or key cylinders and no factory air conditioning (except in 1994-95). The roof was made from canvas and the windows were crafted from vinyl using zippers to open and close. Chrysler was able to get by the Federal mandate for airbags, so these weren’t installed in the Viper to help reduce weight. Combined with a 6-speed manual transmission, the ferocious motor would restrict fuel consumption to about 12 mpg in the city and 20 on the road if you were conservative in your driving style (but why?).
The seller says he/she must sell this ’94 Viper, which sounds like a shame. The body and red paint look quite good, but no photos are offered of the interior or engine compartment. The Viper sports a set of polished wheels from a 2002 Viper. It also features a Kenwood stereo to help drown out the sound of the big motor (but why?). We’re told this car has remained stock rather than modified as happens to some. These automobiles are not for the faint of heart, so you need to know what you’re doing at top speeds.
Red and what appears to be a great price too. I’m thinking this early Viper could be in the well bought category.
They ride rough, crude and a blast to drive, except in Detroit where the roads are crap ( pot holes).
Detroit still has roads. Who knew !
We’re competing with Detroit here in NYC when it comes to the road condition!
Kit car at best at this early production stage.
I’m not seeing the barn in which it was found. Did I miss something?
Nice, no interior or engine photos.
If one owned this car which does 0-60 in 4 seconds. Only question would be…..how long before the average Viper owner loses his driver’s license.
I have driven several of these. The first was a Hennessy 550, it was pure animal and a blast to drive for about 30 minutes. The pedal location (WAY offset to the left) hurt my back terribly. (permanent injury a couple years prior) My son Who was about 6 years old at the time claimed he could feel his eyes get pushed back in their sockets. The last 2 that I drove I had for about 2 weeks each. The pedal placement had been improved on the newer cars and the acceleration was much smoother than the Hennessy car. It was so much smoother that there was no real feeling of acceleration. The torque just rocketed you down the road. You put the hammer down the speedo says 80MPH and it was time to shift out of second gear! (Leaving you with 4 more gears to go!) Great fun!
0-60 in 4 seconds and then the “top” blows off.
This year is according to Viper books is going to follow the Porsche 356 in pricing at some point.
Never. The Porsche has been and will always reign supreme.