One owner from new
1994 Dodge Viper R/T 10 Roadster

• Delivered new in the UK
• Only 14,303 kilometres (8,900 miles) from new
• Maintained by the supplying dealer and the vendor's personal engineer
• Immaculate condition

That a major US manufacturer could come up with such an exciting concept car was startling enough, but Chrysler's decision to put the Viper into production was nothing short of astonishing. Inspired, as its name suggests, by the legendary Cobra, Tom Gale's design study made its auto-show debut in 1989 following discussions between Chrysler boss Bob Lutz and Cobra-creator Carroll Shelby, its appearance triggering an avalanche of deposit cheques. Without doubt, a large part of the Viper's 'back to basics' appeal stems from its unique selling point: a massively powerful 8-litre V10 engine. Despite being relatively 'low tech', the Lamborghini-developed pushrod V10 churns out 400bhp and a brutal 450lbs/ft of torque at a lowly 3,600rpm, figures which the 3,280lb Viper translates - via a six-speed manual gearbox - into a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 165mph. Compared with this paragon of power units, the Viper's running gear makes somewhat less interesting reading: a multi-tubular spaceframe chassis endowed with all-round independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, residing beneath the svelte glassfibre bodywork.

Finished in Viper Red, this R/T (Rapid Transit) example of the ultimate in open-top motoring was bought new by our vendor from Chrysler, who launched the Viper in the UK through their Jeep franchises (in this case Merritts Jeep of Amersham, Buckinghamshire). Apart from its outrageous in-your-face appearance, the Viper was bought as a raw and unsophisticated latter-day muscle car, and has been kept in the vendor's collection because that is just what it is!

The Viper has travelled 14,303 kilometres (8,900 miles) from new and still gets very occasional use. No long journeys have been made over the past 30 years; instead, the Viper has mostly been driven to car shows and other events where it might be of interest. It was supplied with a km/h speedometer installed because Chrysler had yet to produce a correctly calibrated mph version. An 'mph speedometer was supplied subsequently but has not been fitted, the vendor taking the view that a changed instrument might cast doubt on the authenticity of what was always going to be low mileage car.

The Viper was looked after by the supplying dealership until 2004, since when it has been maintained by the engineer responsible for restoring the vendor's Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (Lot 132 in this sale). Garaged since new and presented in unmarked condition, this car was chosen, as an immaculate example, to feature on the PistonHeads website in July 2023. Offered with a V5C Registration Certificate.