Identifying the start of The Malaise Era has always been easy as vehicle manufacturers faced the double whammy of tightening emission and safety regulations. Like most seismic events, the impact was immediate, but recovery was a long, drawn-out affair with no defining moment to signal the misery had ended. However, classics like this 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 demonstrated that carmakers had rediscovered their performance mojo and that buyers could once again slip behind the wheel of vehicles offering impressive engine power and acceleration. This RT/10 is a spotless survivor whose cause has been helped by an odometer reading of 8,951 genuine miles. Faulting its presentation is virtually impossible, with its only pressing need being a new home. The Viper is listed here on eBay in Beaumont, Texas. Bidding sits below the reserve at $36,100, although the intense action suggests that the situation could change anytime.

Whenever I see a Viper, the word extrovert springs to mind. These classics make a bold statement that is only accentuated when they wear a shade like Viper Red. The enormous hood, uncompromising two-seat passenger compartment, and short deck combine with scoops and vents to convey a feeling of power and performance. This car presents superbly, which is unsurprising considering its odometer reading. The paint appears perfect, with no evidence of flaws or blemishes. The same is true of its panels, while the underside shots reveal the floors as clean as the day this gem rolled off the line. The seller states the side windows and rear glass have never been installed and remain in their immaculate factory bags. There are no signs of stains or damage on the beautiful 17″ wheels, and if potential bidders seek something akin to factory-fresh presentation, this Viper seems to deliver.

It is sometimes difficult to convey the impact The Malaise Era had on vehicle performance, particularly for readers outside North America. Therefore, I will use another classic two-seat sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette, to provide insight. An entry-level 1970 Corvette weighed 3,285 lbs and used its 350ci V8’s 300hp to scorch the ¼-mile in 14.7 seconds. By 1973, weight had ballooned to 3,406 lbs, with the small-block producing 190hp for an ET of 15.9 seconds. Anyone who lived through the period can attest that the situation continued deteriorating as the 1970s progressed. It took manufacturers years to address the freefall, but the 1992 Viper RT/10 showed they eventually succeeded. Lifting this classic’s hood reveals an 8.0-liter V10 that sends 400hp to the limited slip rear end via a six-speed manual transmission. With comparable weight to the ’73 ‘Vette but more than twice the power, it is unsurprising that the RT/10 storms the ¼ in 13.1 seconds on its way to 165mph. This Viper is in excellent mechanical health, although the seller suggests the winning bidder will probably choose to replace the tires due to their age. It is a one-owner survivor with a claimed 8,951 genuine miles on its odometer. The seller doesn’t mention supporting evidence, but the ownership history suggests it might be available.

Weight will forever be the enemy of vehicle performance. Beyond any car’s basic engineering requirements, it generally comes in two forms. There is the weight that is a consequence of ensuring any model complies with safety standards. However, these is also buyer-inflicted weight. The latter has grown steadily since the 1960s as owners demand more creature comforts in their new toys. At the dawn of the 1970s, only a small percentage of buyers ordered a high-performance model with luxuries like air conditioning, power assistance for the windows and locks, and a premium stereo. Today, most buyers wouldn’t do without such features, but they come at a price. It is probably fair to say that is a moot point with the Viper because that powerplant under the hood offers enough power and torque to offset the additional weight. It features all the luxury appointments previously mentioned, and I can’t think of many better places to pass the time on a sunny day than inside this spotless RT/10. The new owner will slip behind the wheel of a classic with its interior condition reflecting the odometer reading. The Gray leather upholstery is free from wear and damage, while the same is true of the carpet, dash, and console. The driver views a selection of white-faced gauges through a leather-wrapped wheel, with the same material gracing the knob on the stubby shifter.

Some high-performance vehicles hide their light under a bushel, featuring subtle looks that barely hint at their potential. Dodge didn’t adopt that philosophy with the Viper. It loudly and proudly announces itself to the world, leaving no doubt that it is capable of pinning its occupants in their seats if the driver hits the “loud” pedal with determination. The overall condition of this RT/10 is all you would expect from a vehicle with a four-digit odometer reading, and the thirty-one bids submitted so far suggest people like what they see. However, the current figure will undoubtedly fall well below the reserve, with recent sales indicating it will need to threaten $80,000 before that happens. Whether it gets there in the time remaining is unclear, but I won’t be surprised if it does.