 1996 Viper R/T 10 |
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1997 Dodge Viper news, pictures, and information | ||
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The RT10 is the Viper that started it all of the hysteria and it continues to evolve. Despite the physical appearence, the RT/10 Roadster is virtually identical to the GTS Coupe. The standard soft top can be folded and stored in the trunk or there's an optional body-colored removable hard top that clamps securely in place.
The Dodge Viper, for 1997, including a GTS coupe and the RT/10 roadster. Pricing ranged from $58,600 for the RT/10 roadster to $66,000 for the GTS Coupe. Power came from an overhead valve V10 that displaced 8 liters and offered 450 horsepower. It was constructed from lightweight aluminum and was fitted with a sequential fuel injection system, high-impedance injectors, and ram-tuned intake manifolds with dual plenums. Both the GTS and RT/10 came equipped with a six-speed gearbox.
Though the GTS and RT/10 had a similar design appearance, 90 percent of the GTS was new including its body and interior. It had dual airbags, a new instrument panel with revised gauge location, and adjustable pedal system. The driver could move the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals up to four inches closer by turning a knob mounted under the steering column. This adjustable pedal system was also added to the RT/10 along with adjustable seat and tilt steering.
Power-assisted four-piston caliper disc brakes were found in the front and a single-piston disc design was used in the rear. The Vipers rode on Michelin Pilot SX MXX3 performance tires on 17-cast aluminum wheels.
The instrument panel featured full analog instrumentation with a 200 mph speedometer, engine coolant gauge, oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, voltmeter, and a 7000 RPM tachometer.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013
The Dodge Viper, for 1997, including a GTS coupe and the RT/10 roadster. Pricing ranged from $58,600 for the RT/10 roadster to $66,000 for the GTS Coupe. Power came from an overhead valve V10 that displaced 8 liters and offered 450 horsepower. It was constructed from lightweight aluminum and was fitted with a sequential fuel injection system, high-impedance injectors, and ram-tuned intake manifolds with dual plenums. Both the GTS and RT/10 came equipped with a six-speed gearbox.
Though the GTS and RT/10 had a similar design appearance, 90 percent of the GTS was new including its body and interior. It had dual airbags, a new instrument panel with revised gauge location, and adjustable pedal system. The driver could move the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals up to four inches closer by turning a knob mounted under the steering column. This adjustable pedal system was also added to the RT/10 along with adjustable seat and tilt steering.
Power-assisted four-piston caliper disc brakes were found in the front and a single-piston disc design was used in the rear. The Vipers rode on Michelin Pilot SX MXX3 performance tires on 17-cast aluminum wheels.
The instrument panel featured full analog instrumentation with a 200 mph speedometer, engine coolant gauge, oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, voltmeter, and a 7000 RPM tachometer.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013
 |  |  | Super Snake Coupe |
The engineers in the racing program named these cars after their daughters. Some of the cars even have the tops of their roll cages signed by the girls. Car C-7 was named for engineer Pat Shutte's daughter, Kalien, while the C-6 was named for Dick Myers' daughter, Megan.
The C-7 Coupe is powered by a V-10 dry sump engine with aluminum block and heads with port fuel injection. The 8-liter powerplant is capable of producing 700 horsepower. It has a six-speed Borg-Warner Racing version T-56 gearbox and four-wheel independent suspension. The top speed is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 210 mph.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010
Conceived as a modern take on the classic American muscle car, the Dodge Viper is a two-seat sports car, possibly the most powerful production car produced by Dodge.
Production for the Viper began in 1992 at the new Mack Assembly in Detroit Michigan. The Mack Avenue Engine Complex was the original production site from 1992 through 1995.
Opening in 1966, the Conner Avenue Assembly was purchased by Chrysler in 1995 for the production of both the Dodge Viper and the Plymouth Prowler. October 1995 the production for the Viper began.
The home of Chysler's production of large-displacement V8 and V10 engines, Mount Road Engine was a Chrysler Corporation Automobile Engine factory in Detroit Michigan. In 2002 the plant was closed as production shifted to the Mack Avenue Engine Complex.
The dream behind the design of the Dodge Viper was directly inspired by Carroll Shelby, one of the automotive indsustry's greatest legends. Building one more ultimate performance car was the vision of the initial designer of the Viper. Far too large and heavy to seriously claim any direct lineage with other compact and lightweigh vehicles such as the ionic AC Cobra, the Viper was an altogether separate design.
Driven as the pace car at the Indianapolis 500, Caroll Shelby had a long career as a driver, owner, team manager, manufacturer, consultant, and visionary before being inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1992. More than a decade later, he has continued to impact the world of racing and automobile design. A master organizer and team leader, his charisma, vision and ability to know the best person for the job developed his ability to produce consistently impressive results.
Initially conceived in late 1987 at Chrysler's Advanced Design Studios, the Viper first apeared as a concept to test public reaction at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 4, 1989.
Receiving enthusiatstic public aclaim as orders began to flow before the show even ended, the 'go' was given and chief engineer Roy Sjoberg was directed to develop it as a production car.
'Team Viper' was organized by Sjoberg with a handpicked group of 85 engineers that began development in March of 1989. Their primary goal was to construct a vehicle that concentrated on performance above all else. Their benchmark: to go from 0 to 100 back to 0 in 15 seconds.
Three years of intensive, often around-the-clock operations were began by Team Viper that stretched from Italy, where the aluminum engine block was perfected -- to the race tracks at Nelson Ledges and Road Atlanta, where they fine-tuned the chassis and powertrain. Working closely with major automotive suppliers to develop unique components for Viper RT/10, team members searched for only what would withstand the tremendous stresses associated with high-performance driving.
The first prototype was tested in December of 1989.
At the time Lamborghini (a Chrysler subsidiary) was asked to adapt their V10 truck engine for sports car use in May. The centerpiece of the car was its engine. The original design was based on the Chryler LA engine, Lamborghini, was designed as a truck engine. Recasting the block and head in aluminum alloy gave the engine a significant power boost as Dodge's cast-iron block V10 was revamped.
Completing the production body in the fall, by December a chassis prototype was running. Originally using a V8 in the test mule, by February 1990, the V10 which was the production car was meant to use was ready.
A more comprehensive design was suggested that would included four valves per cylinder as some felt the pushrod two-valve design may have beens adequate for the truck application but unsuitable for a performance car.
The budget for modification was not approved by Chrysler due to uncertainty regarding Viper's production costs and sales potential.
By May of 1990, official approval was granted from Chrysler chairman, Lee Iacocca. It was one year later that Carroll Shelby piloted a preproduction car as the Indianopolis 500 pace car. First shi pment began in January 1992 as the car was released to reviewers during the debut November 1991.
Initially predetermined to be two things to the corporation, the public version of the Viper was intended as a halo car for Chrysler proving that they were still the most competent at building a low cost vehicle of any type. Within the corporation, the Viper was a production tecnique test to see if the corporation really could develop new methods of manufacture and assembly to lower the cost of a vehicle.
Though 1st generation Vipers were considered by some as a crude 'kit car', Chrysler translated this into a vehicle and production line that became the most sought after assignment in the corporation up to that point.
Typical of American performance car design, the Viper had a front-mounted engine driving rear wheels with a curb weight of 3,280lb(1,488 kg) while lacking many modern driving aids such as traction control or anti-lock brakes. In a straight line performance, the Viper completed a quarter mile in 12.9 seconds and had a maximum speed of 164 mph (264 km/h).
The engine produced 400 hp (298 kW) at 4600 rpm and 450 ft·lbf (610 N·m) of torque at 3600 rpm. Due to the long-gearing allowed by the torquey engine it provided surprising fuel economy at a claimed 21 mpg US (11.2 L/100 km) if driven sedately. The body of the Viper was a tubular steel frame with resin transfer molding (RTM) fiberglass panels.
By 1998, 9,500 Vipers cruised the world's boulevards and racetracks, building a very strong and extremely enthusiastic owner core. Currently there are more than 1,700 members of the Viper Club of America and 27 Viper Clubs throughout the United States.By Jessica Donaldson
For more information and related vehicles, click hereProduction for the Viper began in 1992 at the new Mack Assembly in Detroit Michigan. The Mack Avenue Engine Complex was the original production site from 1992 through 1995.
Opening in 1966, the Conner Avenue Assembly was purchased by Chrysler in 1995 for the production of both the Dodge Viper and the Plymouth Prowler. October 1995 the production for the Viper began.
The home of Chysler's production of large-displacement V8 and V10 engines, Mount Road Engine was a Chrysler Corporation Automobile Engine factory in Detroit Michigan. In 2002 the plant was closed as production shifted to the Mack Avenue Engine Complex.
The dream behind the design of the Dodge Viper was directly inspired by Carroll Shelby, one of the automotive indsustry's greatest legends. Building one more ultimate performance car was the vision of the initial designer of the Viper. Far too large and heavy to seriously claim any direct lineage with other compact and lightweigh vehicles such as the ionic AC Cobra, the Viper was an altogether separate design.
Driven as the pace car at the Indianapolis 500, Caroll Shelby had a long career as a driver, owner, team manager, manufacturer, consultant, and visionary before being inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1992. More than a decade later, he has continued to impact the world of racing and automobile design. A master organizer and team leader, his charisma, vision and ability to know the best person for the job developed his ability to produce consistently impressive results.
Initially conceived in late 1987 at Chrysler's Advanced Design Studios, the Viper first apeared as a concept to test public reaction at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 4, 1989.
Receiving enthusiatstic public aclaim as orders began to flow before the show even ended, the 'go' was given and chief engineer Roy Sjoberg was directed to develop it as a production car.
'Team Viper' was organized by Sjoberg with a handpicked group of 85 engineers that began development in March of 1989. Their primary goal was to construct a vehicle that concentrated on performance above all else. Their benchmark: to go from 0 to 100 back to 0 in 15 seconds.
Three years of intensive, often around-the-clock operations were began by Team Viper that stretched from Italy, where the aluminum engine block was perfected -- to the race tracks at Nelson Ledges and Road Atlanta, where they fine-tuned the chassis and powertrain. Working closely with major automotive suppliers to develop unique components for Viper RT/10, team members searched for only what would withstand the tremendous stresses associated with high-performance driving.
The first prototype was tested in December of 1989.
At the time Lamborghini (a Chrysler subsidiary) was asked to adapt their V10 truck engine for sports car use in May. The centerpiece of the car was its engine. The original design was based on the Chryler LA engine, Lamborghini, was designed as a truck engine. Recasting the block and head in aluminum alloy gave the engine a significant power boost as Dodge's cast-iron block V10 was revamped.
Completing the production body in the fall, by December a chassis prototype was running. Originally using a V8 in the test mule, by February 1990, the V10 which was the production car was meant to use was ready.
A more comprehensive design was suggested that would included four valves per cylinder as some felt the pushrod two-valve design may have beens adequate for the truck application but unsuitable for a performance car.
The budget for modification was not approved by Chrysler due to uncertainty regarding Viper's production costs and sales potential.
By May of 1990, official approval was granted from Chrysler chairman, Lee Iacocca. It was one year later that Carroll Shelby piloted a preproduction car as the Indianopolis 500 pace car. First shi pment began in January 1992 as the car was released to reviewers during the debut November 1991.
Initially predetermined to be two things to the corporation, the public version of the Viper was intended as a halo car for Chrysler proving that they were still the most competent at building a low cost vehicle of any type. Within the corporation, the Viper was a production tecnique test to see if the corporation really could develop new methods of manufacture and assembly to lower the cost of a vehicle.
Though 1st generation Vipers were considered by some as a crude 'kit car', Chrysler translated this into a vehicle and production line that became the most sought after assignment in the corporation up to that point.
Typical of American performance car design, the Viper had a front-mounted engine driving rear wheels with a curb weight of 3,280lb(1,488 kg) while lacking many modern driving aids such as traction control or anti-lock brakes. In a straight line performance, the Viper completed a quarter mile in 12.9 seconds and had a maximum speed of 164 mph (264 km/h).
The engine produced 400 hp (298 kW) at 4600 rpm and 450 ft·lbf (610 N·m) of torque at 3600 rpm. Due to the long-gearing allowed by the torquey engine it provided surprising fuel economy at a claimed 21 mpg US (11.2 L/100 km) if driven sedately. The body of the Viper was a tubular steel frame with resin transfer molding (RTM) fiberglass panels.
By 1998, 9,500 Vipers cruised the world's boulevards and racetracks, building a very strong and extremely enthusiastic owner core. Currently there are more than 1,700 members of the Viper Club of America and 27 Viper Clubs throughout the United States.By Jessica Donaldson
| Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival Celebrates Corvette'S 60 Years At Sonoma Raceway | |
 | • Fast cars, fine food and wine highlight May 18-19 weekend • Paul Reinhart is honored guest, popular racing seminar scheduled for second year SONOMA, Calif. (April 27, 2013) - The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival returns to Sonoma Raceway on May 18-19 for the fourth straight year under that title. The program for the 27th annual historic-car event organized by General Racing Ltd. in Sonoma will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the popular Corvette, created by the ...[Read more...] |
| BORGWARNER INTRODUCES NEXT-GENERATION EFR TURBOCHARGING TECHNOLOGY AT 2012 SEMA SHOW | |
 | • BorgWarner Hosts 2012 Indianapolis 500 Winner Dario Franchitti on October 30 • Borg-Warner Trophy™ on Display October 30 - November 1 BorgWarner (NYSE: BWA) will introduce its next-generation EFR-7163 (Engineered for Racing) turbocharger as well as its current EFR and AirWerks™ Series turbochargers at the 2012 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center on October 30 – November 2. Featuring an innovative light-weight aluminum bearing housing and mixed-flow turbine, BorgWarne...[Read more...] |
| ROB MACCACHREN- 'IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS' | |
 | The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) heads to Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix this weekend for the final race of the season where the Pro2 Unlimited championship will be decided. After Rob MacCachren suffered a disappointing weekend in Las Vegas, where he was absent from the podium for the first time of any LOORRS racing weekend this season, he has slipped to third in points behind rivals Brian Deegan and Marty Hart. Never one to give up, MacCachren intends to put the ROCKSTAR...[Read more...] |
| Peter Brock and Bob Bondurant to Swap Shelby Stories at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion | |
 | Two stalwart names in the colorful history of Shelby American, Peter Brock and Bob Bondurant, will share some of their stories of those early years at the Picnic with Shelby Cobra Saturday, August 18 at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The 30-minute picnic begins at 12:15 p.m. in the Ford Motor Company display, located at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca's Yamaha Marketplace. Peter Brock was instrumental in Shelby American beginning in 1962. As a young designer, he dove into the entire design...[Read more...] |
| Third Annual Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival to Feature Moments in Time | |
 | The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, the third annual event under that title, returns to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., June 2-3, 2012, featuring 'Moments in Time: a Celebration of the History of Motorsports.' The program for the 26th annual historic-car event organized by General Racing Ltd. in Sonoma will focus on highlights of the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s - the eras in which auto racing began to cement its international status as a world-class spectator sport. In addition, 400 his...[Read more...] |
 1997
Dodge
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| Dodge Dakota |
| Dodge Viper GTS | 1997 Dodge Concepts |
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| 1996 Viper R/T 10 |
