1998 Dodge Viper GTS-R Coupe

The Dodge Viper supercar underwent significant changes for 1996 with less than 10 percent of the components carried over from the RT/10 roadster. The GTS model had all new closed coupe bodywork, a fastback design, and a double bubble roof. The uprated motor offered 450 horsepower. Creature comforts included power windows, door locks, and air conditioning. The introduction of airbags provided more piece-of-mind for the occupants.

Parent company Chrysler decided to enter the Viper in international motorsports. It was to enter the FIA GT2 category with the French firm Oreca, who had previously won LeMans with Mazda, contesting to European circuits. Canaska would hand the North American efforts. What followed was hundreds of race wins, 3 consecutive GT2 championships and 2 Le Man class victories were all achieved during the late 1990s between the two teams.

100 examples of the GTS-R specification road cars were built during the 1998 model year. These cars primarily homologated all of the various aerodynamic devices seen on the race car but not on the GTS until this point. They came equipped with a large rear wing, a front splitter and canards up front. They were given replica BBS wheels and the engine was mildly boosted to produce 460 horsepower, making them the most powerful Viper to date. Inside, they were fitted with a racing harness and a fire extinguisher.

This particular example was purchased in North Carolina in September of 1998. Two years later it was sold, having roughly 5,000 miles on the odometer. It remained in the care of the Illinois based owner until finding new ownership in 2015, and then another in 2016. Currently the car has about 10,000 miles on its odometer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2018