There are few things more devastating for a classic car owner than to see their pride and joy suffer accident damage. That is the case with this 1995 Dodge Viper, although the owner’s loss could be your gain. The damage appears superficial, suggesting that returning this potent beast to its best should be straightforward. Once repaired, the new owner will slip behind the wheel of one of the most powerful American cars to roll off a production line in 1995. The Viper is listed here on Barn Finds Classifieds in Hernando, Florida. You could become its new owner by handing the seller $22,500.
This photo clearly illustrates the damage that caused this owner heartbreak due to a low-speed accident. It is initially hard to take, but things aren’t as bad as first glance suggests. Thankfully, there is no structural damage, making any repair pretty straightforward. The damaged components are all bolt-on items, meaning the buyer could save considerably on the repair by performing that part themselves. The front bumper cover is toast, as is the passenger-side headlamp and the hood latch. The hood may prove repairable, but there are alternatives worth considering. I performed a brief online search and located a company holding a secondhand hood in the correct color. The paint has some slight scuffs, but they look like they would respond to a wet sand and polish. The price is a surprisingly affordable $700. A new bumper cover from the same supplier is listed at $650, while a headlamp adds $1,100 to the tally. That last item is slightly eye-watering, and a more thorough search will undoubtedly unearth cheaper alternatives if the new owner shows patience. Even at the prices mentioned, the potential value of this classic makes the repairs financially viable. Beyond that, the Bright Yellow paint looks nice, and the overall presentation would have been difficult to fault pre-crash.
If there was ever any doubt that the 1990s saw American manufacturers rediscovering their performance mojo, the Viper erased those doubts. Its engine is legendary and caused more than a few raised eyebrows when the company revealed the Viper to the waiting world. What the buyer receives is an 8.0-liter V10 monster churning out 400hp. That power finds its way to the pavement via a six-speed manual transmission, with the combination leaving many drivers feeling breathless. This classic should despatch the ¼ mile in 12.9 seconds, while the company claimed a top speed of 165mph. That last figure is considered conservative, with many owners seeing the needle reach greater heights. The seller states that this Viper continues to run and drive perfectly despite the accident damage. It has always been appropriately maintained and has a genuine 25,800 miles on its odometer. The seller lists a selection of performance upgrades that should unlock extra power from that glorious V10, while similar attention to the brake package should allow it to stop on a dime.
Considering the pre-accident condition of this Viper and its custom interior trim, it’s easy to see why the seller walked away from plenty of shows clutching the silverware. They treated the interior to custom leather seat upholstery stitched by Venzano Automotive. The same people continued that theme onto the door trims, while the dash sports a professional carbon-look vinyl wrap and custom knobs. The story isn’t confined to appearance because the new owner benefits from a Pioneer stereo CD player that delivers its sound via Sony speakers. As with the rest of the car, there is no evidence of wear, and with the exterior issues addressed, this stunning classic and its custom interior would undoubtedly turn heads.
Most classic car enthusiasts can pick one car that made an impact the first time they saw it. The culprit could be a Mach 1 Mustang or a C2 Corvette Fuelie. One that stands out for me is the Dodge Viper. That red beast upon which I first laid eyes made an immediate impact, and while I am a Blue-Oval enthusiast, I’ve always harbored the desire to slip behind the wheel of a Viper to sample all it offers. I doubt I’ll ever have that privilege, but it could await you. You will struggle to find one in the current market for less than $32,000, although you generally need to have at least $40,000 in your wallet to secure a gem. This Viper sits well below those figures, and repairing the accident damage should still see it remaining financially viable. Therefore, if a Dodge Viper is your dream machine, it would be worth pursuing this one further.
I just pulled my imaginary 22K from the black 911 and put it on this car. Easy fix and it’s yellow!
Humm, if such an easy fix – the owner should fix it, then sell. Either there is more to the cost estimate, or the owner is semi-useless and unable or unwilling to coordinate the easy repairs. I’m thinking the former, giving some credit to the current owner.
My thoughts exactly!!
There are those people that will not continue ownership after a crash, regardless of dollar amount of repairs
I know because I’m one of those people
I agree with you
Looks like no more 5 mph bumpers in ’95.
Is car insurance not required in Florida? If you own a Viper wouldn’t you have collision insurance? Are there no capable body shops in the Greater Hernando area? Why are things that seem simple always not so simple?
Meh, something kinda smells funny here. No insurance? Maybe this car has a reconstructed title already? Perhaps there is more damage than is being let on? Maybe the car is considered a total? Regardless. if the vehicle is that easy to fix, why is the owner not doing that so they could realize a higher return?
Something is not right. Smells. Not like bananas.
I can probably answer all those questions about why this vehicle is being sold as is with the body damage, retired now but owned and was in the body and fender business for 22 years. In my experience who ever owns this vehicle more than likely had no note or financing on it, so the collision insurance check would be made out to the insured, I’m sure he had a premium policy and fought the insurance company for top dollar, pocketed that and comes out ahead of selling the vehicle instead of repairing it and having car fax report a collision thur the body repair shop dropping its value even though it would be repaired, collision on a car fax report will cause many to walk away….especially on a high performance vehicle as this.
Oh, so ethical! Sounds like the kind of person who could afford something like this, many of them are.
A lot of assumptions going on there, Grant. And, there’s nothing unethical about receiving an insurance settlement for an insured vehicle; that’s what the premiums are paid for. Similarly, there is nothing unethical with selling a wrecked vehicle as a wrecked vehicle. IF, and I am not assuming this is happening here, someone misrepresents a vehicle or a vehicle’s title status, or tries to falsely represent the quality and/or thoroughness of repairs, then that would be unethical. But, there is no indication that’s what’s going on here IMO.
Easy repair? But a pricey one!!
Trying to “eyeball” major accident damage to a non traditional automobile is like attempting to pee into a 40 mph headwind! Like they always say “The devil is always in the details!” Often times it’s what you can’t see underneath the surface that ends up being where the big money is hiding. Airbag sensors, suspension components, front frame extensions, and radiator, electric fans, evaporator coil. Without a thorough examination to really know where this ends, all we really know is where it all begins. Finding the best possible repair venue for this car might be challenging but taking an exotic to the wrong repair facility could make things worse!
If all it needed is the cosmetic simple to bolt on pieces, then fine. But knowing people in the collision repair business? Bet the total cost will be way, way more than you think. I read an article a few years ago about a Viper that was hit, just about like this one, needed front bumper, hood lights, etc. Total cost of repair to make it like new? Just a touch under $26,000. Of course they did buy new parts from Chrysler, not used, but it will still cost you close to 20 grand to get it done right. Unless you can do the work and paint yourself, but how many can do that? How many have the facilities to do so? If you do? Go for it, if not– seriously think about it before jumping in,
Uninsured Motorist must be added on your insurance policy here in Florida because people get just enough insurance to register the car, then, drop the insurance and keep driving. It’s the law to have it on your policy. Unfortunately, when those people cause an accident, the other driver loses out. Uninsured motorist add on is the law here and it seems there is nothing we can do about it.. The cost of insurance here is very high to begin with, so it breeds scofflaw drivers. Not saying this is the case with this Viper, but for Florida in general.
Same here in the “Live Free Or Die” state of NH. You are not required to carry auto insurance – it’s crazy – so almost everyone carries uninsured motorist insurance on their policy.
We got hit really hard by an uninsured teenager back in 2003 who ran a Stop sign at 40 mph – totaled our car and sent my wife to the hospital. My insurance covered everything, put money in our pocket, and then went after the teen. She’s probably still paying that bill.
I bet she was on the phone. Similar thing happened to me years ago – teen clipped my car when parked & i was in it – no injuries.
There was a carload of them, in a Civic. Probably not paying attention. I’m surprised none of them were seriously injured, but isn’t that the way it always works?
As a Chrysler Tech Rep I had to replace a customers hood due to the cracks that appeared in the paint finish. ( we put too much filler under a bunch of the early gen ones and the V-10 COOKED the darn hood!) Parts & labor under WARRANTY exceeded $15,000. … in the case of THIS car, I’d like to heal the hood with MODERN, not 1990 tech, and move forward. So, if the new owner has around $20k in the back pocket, he CAN make this animal HEAL y, and have a VERY nice R I D E