It’s incredible how some cars make such an indelible first impression that you never forget them. I vividly recall seeing my first ’69 Mustang Boss 302 in Red, my first Triumph TR6 in Maroon, and my first Dodge Viper in a Special Order Blue. The seller describes this 1994 Viper RT/10 as an investment-grade vehicle, and with values climbing, it seems no idle boast. It has a genuine 11,700 miles on the clock, and its original owner was ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Stevensville, Maryland. You could drive it home by handing the seller $48,600. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for using a finely-tuned radar to spot this classic.

We’ve recently seen a few classics at Barn Finds with a celebrity ownership history, and this Viper falls into that category. My philosophy is that unless the person is somehow inextricably linked to a particular brand or model, it probably makes little difference to that car’s potential value. I previously had the privilege of writing about this 1966 Ford Mustang GT Convertible that had belonged to Henry Ford II. The auction results speak for themselves, with that car selling for $330,000 last year. The original owner of this Viper was ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham, and while the fact is interesting, I don’t believe it makes much difference to the price. Regardless, this Viper Red, er, Viper, looks stunning. The seller states it is original and unrestored, and its presentation is difficult to criticize. The paint shines beautifully, with no evidence of damage or mistreatment. The panels are perfect, the glass is spotless, and the hard and soft-tops look excellent. One of my favorite exterior features is the original 17″ alloy wheels. They manage that rare feat of looking classy and aggressive without distracting attention from the car’s overall appearance. I hesitate to use the term “showroom condition” when describing any secondhand classic, but this Viper gives that phrase a fair shake.

It isn’t unusual to find cars where performance doesn’t match the hype generated by the manufacturer, but there’s no such danger with the Viper RT/10. Its 8.0-liter V10 isn’t the most sophisticated powerplant on the planet, but there’s no doubt that with its 400hp feeding to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, it is unquestioningly effective. If the owner pointed this classic at a ¼-mile, it would storm through in 12.9 seconds before winding its way to 165mph. Four-wheel disc brakes bring proceedings to a halt, while power steering ensures the driver won’t raise a sweat when the going becomes twisting. This classic has a genuine 11,700 miles on the clock, and while that isn’t the lowest odometer reading we’ve seen, it still indicates nobody has attempted to wear out this Dodge. It looks like the seller holds verifying evidence for the mileage claim, along with other documentation and the original Window Sticker signed by Jeff Dunham.

Dodge was conscious of weight minimization when it released the Viper, which is one reason it didn’t offer airbags or air conditioning on early cars. Airbags first appeared in 1996, and this car features ice-cold A/C. The Gray leather upholstery presents as nicely as you might expect when considering the odometer reading. There’s no evidence of wear and no signs of crumbling plastic. The gauges look crisp and clear, and there are no aftermarket additions. As well as A/C, the car features power windows, power locks, a leather-wrapped wheel, and a radio/cassette player.

Although I am generally drawn toward European supercars, I am not an automotive elitist or a snob. I appreciate the engineering and craftsmanship of such vehicles, but I also find cars like the First Generation Mustang irresistible. The same is true of this 1994 Viper RT/10. Its design and construction aren’t on par with Italian thoroughbreds, but that was never the design brief that spawned this classic. It is bold and brash, making a daring statement with its enormous hood and sculpted panels. Unlike some similar cars, it packs the punch to match its muscular looks. The seller describes this car as investment-grade, and with values climbing steadily, the competitive price on this classic makes the claim plausible. I don’t believe the celebrity ownership history adds to its value, but it creates an interesting conversation starter when the new owner rocks up to a show or a Cars & Coffee. Would you like to be that person?