1997 Dodge Viper

The RT10 is the Viper that started all of the hysteria, shocking even the diehard testers at MotorTrend. The GTS arrived late in the 1996 model season, offering a closed-bodied version of the open-top RT/10. The standard soft top of the RT/10 can be folded and stored in the trunk or there's an optional body-colored removable hardtop that clamps securely in place. The Viper GTS Coupe was inspired by the Pete Brock-designed Shelby Cobra Daytona coupe of the mid-1960s and featured the distinctive 'double bubble' roofline, more aerodynamic bodywork, a redesigned competition-specific chassis and suspension, and more aerodynamic bodywork, and a reworked V10 engine offering more power. The top speed was in excess of 180 mph and had a ¼-mile time of 12.2 seconds at 119 mph.

The Dodge Viper lineup for the 1997 model year included the GTS coupe and 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 a revised gauge location, and an 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 an 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