1998 Dodge Viper GTS-R Coupe

In 1997, Dodge teamed up with the French ORECA racing team in attempts to achieve the highest success in the FIA World Championship. The tool Dodge used to contest their quest was the Viper GTS-R, which earned the company the 1997 FIA World Championship and four more championships through 2002. It was also the first American car to win at Le Mans since the Ford GT40 in the 1960s.

In order to qualify for racing, Dodge needed to satisfy homologation requirements by offering a street version for public sales. The result was the Viper GTS-R, but to commemorate their 1997 FIA GT2 World Championship racing triumphs. Power was from an 8-liter, V-10 engine, rated at 465 horsepower with 500 foot-pounds of torque mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The quarter mile was achieved in 12.5 seconds with top speed at an impressive 185 mph. Special features included 18-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels, a rear stabilizing wing, and five-point safety restraint system that is branded to the systems used on ORECA race team cars.

Total production of the GTS-R was set at 100 cars, with each individually numbered and finished in Stone White with Viper Blue stripes. They all were given the GT2 Aero Package that consisted of a front air dam and splitter, nose 'winglet plates,' and ground effect side sills. They were given special badges and graphics that included a 'Viper GTS-R' on the sides of the hood as well as the top of the windshield. An American flag could be found emblazoned on the quarter panels with 'FIA Champion' noted below it. The interiors were trimmed in unique black and blue leather with a dash plaque with the vehicle identification number.

This particular example is car number 72. It is a low-mileage (17,000 mile) GTS-R that has the factory-issued numbered car cover with bag, floor mats and trunk mat, as well as all books, water color pictures, race team photos, and letters from Dodge on the purchase of the car. Additional extras include a Corsa exhaust system, a K&N drop filter, and a new set of tires.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018