This 1997 Dodge Viper GTS coupe is a low-mileage example that is being offered by the second owner with under 30,000 original miles. The solid-color GTS, meaning it has no stripes going down the center of the body, looks to be in good condition cosmetically, exhibiting some signs of use normally associated with a driver rather than a time capsule. The seller has decided to sell the Viper due to the poor condition of local roads and not being able to enjoy the Viper to the fullest. Find the coupe here on eBay in an auction listing ending Sunday, with bidding up to $30K with no reserve.
The Viper GTS is a muscle / supercar I have fond memories of, having had the opportunity to drive one as part of the Skip Barber driving school experience. It’s a monster of a car, with a horrible driving position, awkward pedal box, and the sort of power that makes it challenging to drive such a car smoothly as a novice. But it hails from an era where the car didn’t exist to make you look good; no, you had to figure that out for yourself. As far as not having stripes from the factory, some collectors prefer the solid paintwork.
The interior does reveal one tacky detail, which is the Viper snake logo being sewn into the seat back. I realize this is a subjective opinion, but the Viper is not exactly a car that needs a custom touch like this to remind you what it is. It’s already a two-tone bucket, which is eye-catching enough – must it also have a snake’s head? These cabins were made of low-rent materials when new, so it’s hard to expect much out of them in terms of quality years later; it appears the factory radio remains in place.
No major maintenance updates are listed, with the seller simply noting relatively fresh tires and new plugs and oil. The engine at least looks completely stock, but it’s a bit jarring to see the tired cosmetics on the valve cover for such a low-mileage example. The seller’s claim that his hometown in Indiana doesn’t have the sort of road quality to support owning a supercar like the Viper may seem far-fetched, but I can emphasize with not enjoying a hard-riding classic as much due to pockmarked roads and broken pavement. However, I’m not sure it would drive me to part with an iconic muscle car like the GTS.
Beautiful car, and I always thought the coupe looked better than the roadster.
same old crap here if it was a corvette the praise would be heaped on 4 feet deep, being a chrysler product it cheap junk! this viper was never meant for the avarage joe to begin with, never offered with a automatic for the fools that can’t drive a standard this is drivers car pure and simple same as hellcats I am a dodge boy and will never drive nothing else, period!
Tacky ur ass…fine car…go drive ur MG….British garbage….
Somebody is potentially going to get a great deal on this car.
I am planning on pulling the trigger on buying one next year. But for some odd reason, I prefer the rt/10 model over the coupes.
When these first came out I knew guy’s that bought them for an investment , paid around 70,000 new . Hasn’t worked out so well , cool cars though.
OMG I thought I was going to see location Binghamton New York for road conditions! The roads of upstate NY are the worlds worst!
This one is on my bucket list.
I’m with you, Fran, our governor has taken all of the road repair $$ to pay for a bridge named after his father. First time I Stood next to a Viper that was idling I felt the ground shake. A real no frills Performance car for the real driver that can drive a car with 3 pedals. Kudos to Chrysler for having the stones to make something this cool.
Good luck to the new owner.
Cheers
GPC
Kudos go to Bob Lutz & Tom Gale for letting the Mice be IN CHARGE of the Cheese… Vipers, especially the 1st gen ones, are tough to live with, but reward you with amazing torque and FUN driving experience, (Dragons Tail in VA/NC are the GO to spot!)…”Vintage” Coupes get the stuffing knocked out of them by current Hellcat Chargers…a usable back seat and trunk, and the ability to blow off the doors of a stock Viper for half the price of admission..
I had a sales manager that had the twin to this car. It seems it was found to have a bag of coke in the glove box and his previous employer made him buy the car. He needed to borrow our dealer plate to move it and he let me drive it. I picked up my son at his pre-school and took him for a bit of a wild ride. On the way home, he said to me, “Dad, I like your GTX better!” I asked why that was, and he replied, “This is too fast!” Twenty years later, he drives like a granny.
LS Swap.
Bad roads in Indiana?
In the fall of 1988 I was on I74 somewhere west of Indy, watching the wasteland roll by at Warp 8. I dropped out of cruise when I noticed Smokey coming up fast from behind. He never even blinked as he passed by. While I was reveling in my good luck, a rider and his girlfriend on a Suzuki GS850G went by, followed closely by a dually Ford flatbed hauling hay bales!
I figured “when in Rome…” as I tickled the cruise control…and never caught up to any of them!
I agree Dave.. This past summer, went from east to Montana… in a Barney-Purple Rt Charger…. sadly, I was only passed by a Ducati, Wish red of course, zipping by me even though I was running at the century mark…in INDIANA… wonderful mechanical sounds from the Hemi…AND the Ducati as it WAILED by!… I wish I had a sound recording!
SOLD for $30,100.