Chrysler Bids Good-Bye to the Dodge Viper
Golden Viper steals the show
Though Chrysler insists that its iconic Dodge Viper will eventually return, the reality of the auto industry particularly Chrysler’s place in the market is that the Viper as we know it is going, going, gone. After all, with Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo comprising the sporty side of the Fiat-Chrysler house, there may not be enough room or cash for an all-new Viper.
Final Build
The last few Vipers are now being completed at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, but with a twist: Chrysler is giving owners a lot of say about how these final edition Vipers will look as they make their way off the factory floor and slither out the door.
These “ultimate factory” customized 2010 Dodge Viper coupes were shown to more than 400 Viper enthusiasts in Detroit on July 1 as part of Chrysler’s send off for the sportscar. At the send off, Chrysler featured D’ann Rauh’s all-new Viper which featured a custom bronzed gold exterior paint scheme. Rauh and her husband, Wayne, are the owners of a collection of 40 Vipers, the world’s largest assembly of the Viper in private hands.
Hand Crafted
Though Chrysler has been building special edition Vipers since the car launched in 1992, the automaker says that they have built more special edition models during the 2010 model year than all the previous years combined.
Never a huge seller, Chrysler has built some 26,000 of the hand-crafted Vipers over its lifetime. The car served its purpose well as it gave Dodge a much needed halo model while helping the brand distinguish itself from Plymouth and Chrysler.
Two Remain
With the Viper out of the way, Chevrolet’s Corvette and special edition of Ford’s Mustang will serve as the last of the American built supercars. Always a small market, these models are prized for their raw power, good looks and rarity, collectable models at that.
Video Credit: Chrysler Group, LLC
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