A close up of a first-generation Dodge Viper GTS headlight taken within Gran Turismo 7

Image: Adam Ismail, Sony Interactive Entertainment

I cannot tell you why the simple act of cars sharing headlights and taillights is so fascinating, but boy do we have a doozy of a lighting-related tale to share today. It comes courtesy of Roy Sjoberg, the chief engineer of the original Dodge Viper, who relayed some previously unknown tidbits about the roadster’s design to YouTuber Four Eyes. The Viper has always had an unmistakable and unique scowl, which is why it’s surprising to learn that those slender arrays were not initially intended for the spiritual successor to the Shelby Cobra.

In case you missed it:

They were meant for the BMW Z1! If you’ve ever seen the Z1, you likely know that the car’s headlights look nothing like the Viper’s. That’s because BMW “conned GE” — in Sjoberg’s words — into manufacturing them with no investment from the German automaker itself. Then, BMW changed its mind and opted for a more rectangular look, leaving the supplier holding the bag. Here’s how the chief engineer explained it to Four Eyes:

That was thanks to BMW. Those headlights came from BMW. Their Z1, which never made it to the United States, those were their headlights. And they had conned GE into building those headlights at GE’s cost — not at BMW’s cost. So when they didn’t like it and walked away from the program, GE stuck with this tooling and headlight design with the bubble.

the original dodge viper's headlights came from a rejected bmw z1 design

Screenshot: Four Eyes via YouTube

Now “the bubble,” as Viper aficionados may know, is this weird fluid-filled protrusion between the projector and turn signal that looks like the vial of a spirit level. Sjoberg says it was used for alignment purposes at the factory. He continues:

So I got the whole headlight system free! Normally $2.5 million, plus another $1 million of development. So I got a developed design that we were able to fit on the Viper design from Gen 1 and Gen 2. And it came with the bubble. So I said, “well the bubble’s silly, we’ll remove it.” Manufacturing wanted $1.50 [for] each headlight to remove the bubble and I said “screw that, leave the bubble on!”

Credit: Four Eyes via YouTube

I would absolutely love to see a photo of an early-development Z1 to know how the Viper clusters might’ve looked on BMW’s tiny, door-optional convertible. Studying them now, I can kind of see how they might’ve been a BMW part, given the double circular lamp motif. Designer Tom Gale did such a masterful job shaping the Viper’s face around those units that you’d never guess they weren’t built for the V10-powered two-seater from day one.

You should watch Four Eyes’ video in its entirety — it’s not very long, and in it Sjoberg sheds light on another secret regarding the Viper’s lack of cupholders. One hint: it was a deliberate decision straight from CEO Lee Iacocca.

Keyword: The Original Dodge Viper's Headlights Came From a Rejected BMW Z1 Design

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Evolved: Giving BMW’s G81 M3 Touring The CSL Treatment

My favourite BMWs are the ones you can’t actually buy. Even if you see them at a BMW showroom. A few months back, BMW Park Lane in London collaborated with Evolve Automotive. It was a great example of a manufacturer paying attention to the aftermarket, and getting involved with arguably the ...

View more: Evolved: Giving BMW’s G81 M3 Touring The CSL Treatment

2023 BMW iX M60 Review: Ramping up the Power

•    Auto123 reviews the 2023 BMW iX M60. BMW takes straight aim at Tesla and its top-selling Model X with the iX all-electric SUV’s new M60 edition. This is the third variant of the model BMW has put out, after the xDrive40 and iX xDrive50 that debuted with the 2022 ...

View more: 2023 BMW iX M60 Review: Ramping up the Power

Ford Taurus, Dodge Caravan Live Again In 1995 Detroit Auto Show Retro Video

Revisit a time when minivans were aplenty, sedans were still popular, and the Chrysler Cirrus was car of the year.

View more: Ford Taurus, Dodge Caravan Live Again In 1995 Detroit Auto Show Retro Video

A farewell to GTE, part two: Ferrari, Ford, Porsche and Dodge

Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK – Ford GT LMGTE Pro – Andy PRIAULX, Harry TICKNELL, Luis Felipe DERANI 14.06.2017-18.06.2016 Le Mans 24 Hour Race 2017, Le Mans, France – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] – copy of publication required for printed pictures. Every used picture is fee-liable. © Copyright: Photo4 / ...

View more: A farewell to GTE, part two: Ferrari, Ford, Porsche and Dodge

2024 BMW 530i xDrive Is A Perfect Example Of Why Electric Cars Are Great

Photo: Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik Having entered its eighth generation, the BMW 5 Series is all new for 2024, and for the first time, there are fully electric variants of the iconic sports sedan. While those electric i5 models are moving the 5 Series lineup into the future, the ...

View more: 2024 BMW 530i xDrive Is A Perfect Example Of Why Electric Cars Are Great

BMW announce R12 nineT and R12 cruiser in rejuvenated boxer heritage range

A side view of the BMW R12 nineT 2024 BMW R12 being ridden A static view of the BMW R12 cruiser A pair of BMW R12 nineTs riding together Ten years on from the introduction of the first R nineT retro in 2013, BMW have pulled the covers off ...

View more: BMW announce R12 nineT and R12 cruiser in rejuvenated boxer heritage range

BMW’s Electric Gravel Bike Puts A Very Big, Very Fast Smile On Your Face

Photo: Jalopnik / Owen Bellwood Automakers around the world are looking for a way into the burgeoning electric bike market. Porsche bought up European bike builder Greyp to further its two-wheeled ambitions, Jeep partnered with American outfit QuietKat, and now BMW has a range of e-bikes built in partnership ...

View more: BMW’s Electric Gravel Bike Puts A Very Big, Very Fast Smile On Your Face

At $79,995, Should We Give Thanks For This Twin Turbo 2004 Dodge Viper SRT10?

Photo: Craigslist According to its seller, today’s Nice Price or No Dice Viper was built for both the show and the go, and it has the awards from the former and the specs for the latter. Let’s see if that combo can acquit its price tag. A double benefit ...

View more: At $79,995, Should We Give Thanks For This Twin Turbo 2004 Dodge Viper SRT10?

Imp By Name, Imp By Nature

The BMW M3 CS Is A Flawed Daily Driver But A Perfect Track Toy

What is the BMW M3 top speed?

Which used BMW X1 is better: diesel or petrol?

BMW’s M Performance Parts Kit Now Includes Centre-lock Wheels

Hot Wheel’s Latest Exclusive Is A Dodge Power Wagon With A Swivel Frame

Watch A Pristine BMW E30 Go Up In Flames After It Springs A Leak

This Nurburgring Compilation Video Is Filled With Out-Of-Control BMWs

Gusheshe BMW E30 Spontaneously Combusts in Mzansi Street

What is the BMW X3 top speed?

This Awkward Looking SUV Will Replace The BMW iX3 In 2025

Listening To This V10-Swapped BMW M3 Will Be The Best Thing You Do Today

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel