The Dodge Viper is, by this point, iconic. The question is, which model is most significant? To me, the original GTS coupe with blue paint and white stripes is the one to buy, but the most iconic goes to the first edition that was the closest thing to the actual show car. This 1992 RT/10 is one of the earliest models with under 1,000 original miles on the clock, which may make it one of the lowest mileage first-year cars in existence. Find the Viper here on craigslist in Worcester, Mass. for $150,000.
There it is – 940 miles. While the first-generation Viper was thought to be an immediate collector’s item like so many other significant muscle cars, values haven’t been off the charts for the RT/10. Now, some cars in this class have seemingly taken off and never looked back, like the Ford GT. The Viper sits in an interesting place at the moment: the later cars are still quite accessible, especially when compared to other modern, high performance models; and while the RT/10 is clearly a special model, most of the ones you find for sale are in the $50K-$60K range.
Now, that’s not pocket change, but it’s peanuts compared to the prices that other supercars from the same era are selling for. The seller is clearly trying to grab some of that trust fund money with his asking price, and I can’t say I blame him. One of the biggest complaints about early Vipers is the build quality, so buying one with some miles likely makes it feel even older than it is. If you have your heart set on an early RT/10, buying a low mileage car also makes sense because build quality was abysmally bad, so with even a few miles on the clock, they can start to feel tired inside. Not here.
The tri-spoke wheels and the side-exit exhaust – along with the red-over-gray color combo – are all hallmarks of the first year models. I believe every 1/18 die cast model also used this color scheme, at least until the GTS came out. The seller reports that he has extensive documentation to go along with the car, which is critical for a model like this that’s being sold on the merits of its authenticity. As one of just 285 ever built in the first year run, this is surely one of the best 92s left on the market at the moment. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find.
Museum piece…. What else would you do with it?
And $150k? Wow! There seem to be quite a few low mile Vipers out there for a lot less than half that.
For that money I could buy 2 10,000 mile cars so I’d still have one after I totaled the first one.
The one I saw on the MASS PIKE near Worcester a few years ago was dark green, and driving in a normal way, not trying to show off. Still a very nice sighting. Yep, IMO a collector car, although one that should be driven often for the sheer pleasure.
My father-in-law passed away 4 years ago, and mistakenly, his wife sold one of his cars, a 2006 Viper, for $35,000. It only had 1800 miles on it. She got swindled by a salesman from a dealership. That dealership turned around and sold it in one day for $47,000.
Even if this had 9 miles $150k would still be too much. And on Craig’s List, GLWS.
Other than the extremely low miles, one of the few things that sets the 1992 Viper apart is that this was the debut year, for the Viper, and these were handmade, for the first year. The following years saw more of a machine based mass production, but I definitely remember that the first year, all of the Vipers were hand made.
This car is too gritty and elemental for Bring a Trillion. Like a Maserati tractor minus the foreign intrigue. Wise not to list it where a 900 mile 2019 Ford GT currently sits at $876K and adaptive ride control and carbon fiber set vainglorious filthy rich hearts aflutter. The elevated wine and caviar clique can’t comprehend the Viper’s allure.
Good!
Someone who lacks the credentials to gain entry to the club is going to get a raucous, rowdy, iconic beast of a cartoon sports car come to life at a bargain price by comparison. A hot flaming Cheeto of a middle-American middle finger aimed squarely at the jaded, clichéd Grey Poupon track day set. Priceless.
CV Panther, here you go..
https://www.worldwidevintageautos.com/vehicles/12218/1997-dodge-viper
Were uneven gaps between the “bumper” & fender to be expected in these cars?
https://images.craigslist.org/00U0U_33o0RuAjVCCz_0CI0t2_1200x900.jpg
OH MY!
Nice car but….
Well, here’s what to EXPECT: #1; the cylinder liners started to “walk” after a few heat cycles… initial repair was , ” retorque all head bolts”, when the customer then noticed ,(again), the drips of green fluid on the garage floor, Chrysler sent a BIG BLUE BOX to the dealership. Viper engine removed, put in BIG BLUE BOX, sent to Arrow in Michigan.. where they FIXED the MOTOR…(basically knurling + press fitting the liners, then blue printing the engines, NICE!), return + install = enjoy!
Expect :#2 If you USED these vehicles as Bob Lutz and the rest of us Gearheads did, the hood would exhibit CRACKS in the paint. This was due to the HUGE amount of a “bondo” kinda stuff spread over the hood due to the shabby hood that came out of the early molds. The fix: REPLACE the hood! ($20k is what I spent on a Warranty ticket as a factory rep!), or.. a REALLY GOOD (corvette), body shop could HEAL the original , then repaint it…$14K …in 2000 dollars. If this is in a museum.. DON’ T drive it much!
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