A long hood, a short deck, and a fire-breathing engine under the hood. The recipe for creating a classic American sports car seems simple enough. However, there is more to the process than that. Vehicles of that ilk need to grab the attention of potential buyers, stir their emotions, ignite their passion, and create a sense of longing. Dodge achieved those aims with its Viper, offering a vehicle that filled the void between a sports car and a genuine supercar. However, that wasn’t enough for some, with specialist tuning houses wringing even more power from an already potent package. This 1996 Viper GTS has received that treatment, leaving potential owners with more power than most would know what to do with. Its history is documented, but it needs a new home. The seller has listed the Viper here on Craigslist in Gresham, Oregon. The price of admission to this automotive party is $85,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L. for using a finely-tuned radar to spot this classic.

Some manufacturers use a vivid imagination when naming paint shades, while others pursue a more practical approach. This Dodge is a perfect example of the latter philosophy, resplendent in a shade called Viper GTS Blue. It was new for the 1996 model year, cycling on and off the color palette until 2013. This car features contrasting White stripes, and the impact of the combination is dazzling. The Viper is long and low, with the stripes accentuating the impression. The paint shines beautifully, with the car’s overall presentation seemingly flawless. If there are defects, they are too minute to show in the supplied photos. There is no evidence of repairs or prior accident damage, with the plastic and trim as impressive as the paint. This Viper rolls on its distinctive chrome alloy wheels, free from stains and physical damage.

The listing description suggests this Viper has a genuine 13,200 miles on its odometer, and its interior condition seems to support that. The leather seats aren’t worn or damaged, and the remaining upholstered surfaces are equally clean. There is no cracked or damaged plastic and no apparent aftermarket additions. This car proves buyers don’t need to compromise on comfort in pursuit of performance. The buyer receives a couple of airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, a comprehensive array of gauges, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/CD player.

There was no such thing as a slow 1996 Viper GTS. The 8.0-liter V10 churned out 450hp and 490 ft/lbs of torque, with shifting duties falling to the driver’s right hand via a six-speed manual transmission. If potential buyers craved an auto option, they had to look elsewhere! The V10 is what I refer to as a “lazy” motor, meaning the driver doesn’t need to rev its heads off to achieve peak performance. With most of its power and torque appearing at around 3,500rpm, there is little point in pushing the needle far beyond 4,000rpm. The combination produced a ¼-mile ET of 12.3 seconds, which satisfied most buyers. However, some wanted more…far more. Companies like Hennessey Motorsport developed upgrade packages to squeeze more out of the Viper V10. This car received that treatment courtesy of the Venom 600 package, pushing the output figures to 602hp and the torque to 630 ft/lbs. Did it make a difference? Just a bit! The ¼-mile ET dropped to 11.5 seconds, while the top speed rose from 187mph to 203mph. The seller states this car once served as the test subject for a feature article by Motor Trend magazine. They are the car’s third owner, and it comes with extensive documentation. It runs and drives like a standard Viper, with its potential showing when the driver hits the gas. It has no issues or problems, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

You should never say “never” in the automotive world because the industry is renowned for taking unexpected turns. The last Dodge Viper rolled off the line in 2017, seemingly drawing the curtain on one of American history’s most potent production cars. The Viper has gained a reprieve before and could do it again. Six years have passed since that fateful day, with each day seemingly making it less likely the badge will make a comeback. It could happen, but it is not something upon which I’d bet my house. The landscape has changed since 2017, with manufacturers focusing on clean, green automotive products. Hybrid and zero-emission vehicles are establishing a solid foothold in the new car market, with dinosaurs like the Viper seemingly on the outer. However, while dinosaurs are extinct, scientists work away in laboratories devising strategies to bring them back to life. The same may happen to the Viper one day. Buying a car like this 1996 Viper GTS Venom 600 could be excellent insurance in case that never happens. It is a point to ponder.