I have been passionate about classic cars for as long as I can remember. It was a passion ignited by my father as he parked a succession of wonderful cars in our garage. However, there are only a few classics where I can place my hand on my heart and declare that I clearly remember the first time I laid eyes on them. The Dodge Viper was one of those vehicles, and those first photos are ones I will never forget. I thought that I appreciated what the company had created, but nothing prepared me for the sheer presence the Viper has in the flesh. It drips attitude, and that first contact was enough to make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. If you want to experience that feeling, there could be a chance for you to park this 1997 Viper GTS in your garage. The seller has listed it for sale here on Craigslist in Woodinville, Washington. If you hand the owner $22,000, you could take this brutal beast home. I must thank Barn Finder Jason for spotting this fantastic classic for us.

The seller has been this Viper’s custodian for many years, revealing that the vehicle was wrecked around fifteen years ago. The extent of that damage is unclear, but they elected to repair the car and return it to active duty. It has seen little use in the past two years and requires work to return to a roadworthy state. The photos suggest it has been sitting in its current location under a cover for a while, which is never a good strategy for preservation. The Viper Black paint shines surprisingly well, and the panels look good. Most of the panel gaps are tight and consistent, although I’m unsure about the relationship between the hood and front bumper. It may only require some tweaking and aligning, but with this car’s history, an in-person inspection would seem warranted. The cooling louvers are missing from the tops of both front fenders, but the rest of the exterior appears complete. The wheels aren’t original, but finding reconditioned factory items for around $300 each is not hard.

One aspect of this Viper requiring TLC is its interior. It looks dirty, so I would treat it to a deep clean before considering splashing any cash. The dash and console look pretty good, with the same true for the carpet. The carpet around the speaker in the driver’s door looks frayed, but some careful work with the right type of glue might consign that issue to the pages of history. The leather seat upholstery is badly worn, but with a set of replacement covers costing around $500, rectifying that issue will not likely break the bank. With that work complete, whipping this interior into shape may prove relatively affordable and highly satisfying.

The seller supplies no engine photos, but it appears this Viper’s drivetrain might be original and unmolested. While the exterior styling is extroverted, the engine is the Viper’s defining characteristic. The company initially considered slotting a V8 under that enormous hood but wanted something that stood the Viper apart from the crowd. This car’s engine bay features an 8.0-liter V10 monster backed by a six-speed manual transmission. The engine sounds promising, and it delivers on that promise. Churning out an impressive 450hp and 490 ft/lbs of torque, it launched this classic through the ¼ mile in 12.3 seconds before winding its way to 180mph. Those figures stack up well against modern offerings, so it is little wonder these cars commanded enormous respect when new. The seller states that after they addressed its prior accident damage, this Viper saw regular service. It has been sitting for the past two years and requires attention to be considered roadworthy. However, it runs and drives, which is a positive starting point for potential buyers.

I have led a fortunate life because I have had the privilege to drive and appreciate some fantastic classic cars. Unfortunately, the Dodge Viper GTS hasn’t made that list. It is a car that I aspire to drive because I suspect the experience would be unforgettable. The styling is menacing and head-turning, but its performance matches the appearance. You will struggle to find a good 1997 Viper GTS for under $65,000 while pristine ones continue to command six-figure sums. Our feature car is far from perfect, but it is probably one of the cheapest running and driving examples in the current market. Would you consider committing the time, effort, and cash to return it to its former glory? If you do and you need a chauffeur, I’m happy to volunteer!