Here's your chance to purchase a '90s time capsule.
The Dodge Viper is an American icon and will undoubtedly go down as one of the all-time greats when we look back at combustion-engined sports cars. Collectors know this and are willing to spend big bucks for a pristine example – much like the beautiful blue example seen here.
This 1996 GTS is particularly special, covering a mere 819 miles since it left the factory 27 years ago. The vehicle was purchased by its late owner in 2001 and clearly mollycoddled, with the exterior showing very few signs of age. The blue paintwork, uplifted by the classic white stripes, shines beautifully and is mostly blemish-free.
A small scratch can be found beneath the rear glass, which can easily be rectified. The seller notes the struts for the large rear window were replaced in anticipation of the sale. It's a well-preserved '90s icon, with the signature vented hood and centrally-mounted dual exhausts adding just the right amount of aggression.
The polished five-spoke wheels measure 17 inches in diameter and are wrapped in staggered Michelin Pilot SX rubbers. The front tires are 275/40 while the rear tires are thick 335/35s which helps the Viper deliver its power as best as possible. The seller notes minor imperfections on the wheels, but again, this can be rectified.
Of course, the highlight of this package is to be found under the hood. A mighty 8.0-liter V10 engine delivers 450 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual transmission. Back in the day, the '96 Viper GTS was good for 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph or so – not bad for the mid-90s. Stopping power comes courtesy of four-wheel ventilated disc brakes.
The interior is less impressive, but at least it appears to be in good condition.
Acres of grey plastic festoon the interior, with very little in the way of luxury amenities. It's not entirely spartan, though, with power windows, a retro Alpine CD player, and dual airbags forming part of the standard equipment. The black leather seats have been well-preserved, and so too have the carpets and various bits of trim. Adjustable pedals should provide a comfortable driving position for most.
This particular Viper has a clean Carfax report, with no accidents or damage listed on its history. Unfortunately, there's a gap between 2002 and 2017, but we're guessing this low mileage example saw very little action during that time. The highest bid sits at $100,000 (at the time of writing), which is a great deal considering the collectibility of this particular car.
The lucky buyer will receive the original window sticker, which shows this model sold for $69,300 when new.
Adjusted for inflation, the original owner forked out the equivalent of $135,474 for this American sports car. Sadly, the Viper is no more, but those looking to spend six figures on a high-powered Dodge will undoubtedly be drawn to the Challenger SRT Demon 170. With every option specified, the hardcore Challenger comes in at just under $130,000, which is a bargain considering the capability and rarity on offer.
Getting back to the Viper, we won't be surprised if this vehicle sells for closer to $150,000, owing to its condition and low miles. That's still a lot cheaper than the Lee Iacocca's personal '92 SRT-10, which recently sold for a whopping $285,000.
The Viper is a truly interesting car and is chock-full of interesting details. For example, the headlights were originally made for BMW but were later sold to Chrysler after the German automaker rejected the design. You can read more about the quirky Viper here.
Keyword: Dodge Viper GTS With 819 Miles On The Clock Is A Collector's Dream