The Dodge Viper came to exist because Chrysler executives wanted to breathe new life into the Dodge brand as a builder of performance-oriented cars. The first Vipers would roll off the assembly line in 1992 after four years of development and $70 million approved by Lee Iacocca himself. It would be a 2-seat sports car mean enough to make Chevy Corvette owners nervous at a traffic light standoff.  This second-generation Viper was built in 2000 and looks be a well-cared for survivor with just 10,700 miles on the odometer. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the car is offered here on craigslist for $57,500. Thanks, rex m, for discovering this beautiful example for us!

Dodge brass created “Team Viper” in 1989 and selected 85 engineers to participate in developing the car. Working with then-Chrysler subsidiary Lamborghini, they developed an aluminum block V8 that would become a V10 when the car went into production. Within the first year, they had a prototype body and chassis ready. By the time the 1991 Indianapolis 500 rolled around, they had a pre-production vehicle that Carroll Shelby drove as the pace car. First shipments of the Viper were ready in early 1992 and I remember seeing one for the first time at the Dodge dealer across the street from Daytona International Speedway. They were there doing some advance promotions the week of the Daytona 500. Between 1992 and 2015, Dodge would produce five generations of the Viper that saw 30,514 units roll out the door. There would be no Vipers built in 2007 and again in 2010-12.

Second-generation Vipers ran from 1995-02 and include the seller’s 2000 edition. The exposed side exhaust pipes were relocated to a single muffler at the rear, exiting through two large central tailpipes which reduced back pressure and increased horsepower for the 488 cubic inch V10 to 450 hp and torque to 488 lb⋅ft. This Viper is a GTS with a fixed roof and finished in steel gray with a beautiful black and tan leather interior. This car has no doubt seen just weekend and show use as the odometer reflects under 11,000 miles since new.

This Viper has three modifications from stock. First, an appearance upgrade, is the COR wheels, which simply looks beautiful with their six lug nuts. Second is mechanical, a full Belanger custom exhaust that runs from headers to tips. Belanger claims an additional 50-60 hp is gained from the exhaust, but only a dyno test would be able to verify that. But we’re told the car sounds awesome, a mild drone with cruising along and yet “nasty” when you tromp down on the throttle. And third, is a Bluetooth stereo with amplifications in all the stock areas that speakers are hidden. If some of that doesn’t meet with your approval, the seller is sending along the original wheels and stereo with the car.

Hagerty estimates one of these cars in Excellent condition is worth $53,000, while Concours would be $75,000 and this one looks like it comes somewhere in between. So the seller’s asking price seems to be on par with market value. If you’re looking for a beast of an automobile, this may be the next best thing to an original Shelby Cobra.