Anytime you bake in high performance and motorsports pedigree, you have an almost sure-fire recipe for a car that will be worth more – far more – in years to come. The original Dodge Viper RT/10 is one of the better values out there in terms of modern-day collectible classics, but prices seem to have stagnated for all but the delivery-miles-only examples. A clear exception to the rule is the first-generation GTS coupe which corrected some of borderline-unforgivable flaws of the early cars and offered searing performance with a legitimate connection to numerous successful racing ventures. The 1997 GTS listed here on eBay is offered with a fair degree of mystery, which only adds to the allure.
The first-gen GTS coupe had so much going for it. The chassis and brakes were improved, making it a far more pleasant car to be in. The fixed roof certainly addressed scuttle shake and reduced some of the noise, vibration, and harshness the RT/10 was known for, but it was still a ruffian with no driver aids of any kind. Horsepower was bumped to a staggering 450 b.h.p. from the Lamborghini-designed V10, and there’s no denying that at this point, Dodge had built the car it always intended to when it rushed the RT/10 from concept car to production. And the obvious visual connection to the original Shelby Daytona coupe is no accident, especially when you tally up the GTS’s competition success.
The GTS became a favorite of privateer SCCA racers and full-fledged teams, racking up numerous wins at the world’s most prestigious tracks. The ACR edition coupe is even more sought after for getting all the more closer to the razor’s edge of being a road car with great track manners versus a track car allowed to drive on the street. The seller’s GTS is offered with very limited information and even fewer photos, aside from noting it sports a Borla exhaust system and “…custom CCW wheels.” The values of the GTS have shown it to be quite sought after, handily outpacing the Corvette Z06 that ironically ended the Viper’s reign on international road courses. Do you think the seller will get his $117,000 ask with a listing like this?
Give Dodge credit. When other American manufacturers were still quaking in fear of building a real performance machine (the Corvette was just waking up from its decades-long slumber), Dodge took the “ram” by the horns so to speak and built this hairy-chested pavement scorcher. Kudos to them, it helped establish Dodge as a “performance” car company and kept the nameplate on the road, since that’s about all they build these days.
But just as quickly, they quit making them. At least the Corvette lives on.
Yes, but the Viper was outrageous, while the Corvette(at least for most of its life) was much less of a statement.
Unfortunately, Chrysler has lost their way, going from an engineering machine to a has been.
GM was always about marketing – kind of like Apple, not necessarily pushing the envelope
They made them for 26 years.
Well said Terry. Unfortunately after the FCA debacle & the Stellantis take-over, Dodge (Chrysler) went from powerhouse engineering to a very timid brand under a European umbrella.
Fenky, I agree with you 100%. Stellantis is a disaster for Chrysler – Dodge. To someone on the outside of the company, it looks as though Stellantis has no idea what the market for Chrysler products should be nor do they care. It seems as though they think the entire market is Ram trucks and funky Jeep products, many of which look to be rebadged Fiats.
Corvette people toss keys and say park it.
Not so easy a handoff with one of these. They bite.
That Viper is a real nice $60,000 car….
This listing could be legit, but is very sketchy. 0 feedback, no location other than Canada.
“Serious inquiries only, please. Contact us at [Phone Number] or [Email] to schedule a viewing or inquire about pricing.”
Okay.
$160K for a Viper? That’s a big bite.
Over here in Canada, this purchase would translate to $160K once you facture in the dollar exchange.
These cars are an absolute handful to drive. Very fun, but can get away from you pretty quickly. As others have said, its a bit over priced. Hope he gets it, but 160 large Canadian it a bit of a stretch.
It’s not “a bit overpriced”, it is insanely overpriced. I very nearly purchased one in about 2003, I say “very nearly” because I was serious about getting one, that is until I took it for about a 30 mile drive. They have got to be one of the most uncomfortable, ill handling cars I have ever driven. I was more than happy when I got back to the dealership and get back into the Corvette I nearly traded in on it.
Five pictures of this car in a wooden box.
They stopped making them for two reasons no room for the additional air bags and Dodge/Stellantis up staged with the Hellcats for less money. As a previous GTS owner and now a C8 Corvette owner I can say the Viper was a real race car for the street and it made no apologies for the way it was. It was hot and tight in the foot wells, a very firm ride and hard to see out the back window. The best part on the street was that it was very intimidating. The nice thing about the Viper is you did not see yourself coming and going like the Corvette.
Hence my referring to it as “hairy chested”. It wasn’t made for those who wanted comfort and conveniences. It was a “kick in the butt when you stomp the go pedal” car and little more. It also made a strong statement.