Dodge Viper fans, gather around, grab a seat, and let's talk about the second generation of the muscly sports car. The one pictured below is worthy of any gearhead's attention, regardless of whether they want to spruce up their car collection with such a copy or not.
This vehicle was born for the 1996 model year at the Conner Avenue Assembly factory in Detroit, Michigan. As you can probably tell from the specification, it is a GTS, meaning that it boasts more power than the RT/10 on which it was based, a double-bubble roof to boost interior headroom and make it helmet-friendly, and something that no other Viper before it had: airbags.
Under that long hood rests a V10 engine with a massive 8.0-liter displacement. The 1996 Dodge Viper GTS enjoyed 450 horsepower (456 ps/336 kW) when it first broke cover, and it tipped the scales at 3,375 pounds (1,531 kg). Handling all that power in a relatively lightweight (for a Viper) construction was and still is tricky, and the car is known for having a mind of its own in certain scenarios.
As a result, it needs a seasoned driver to sign their name on the dotted line and put it through its paces at the local racetrack, where it would disturb the peace with that sonorous motor. This car has only 15,649 miles (25,185 km) under its belt, so it is an almost-new example that deserves to hit the road again. It features a six-speed manual transmission, a blue finish with white racing stripes, chrome wheels, a black leather interior, and a timeless dashboard panel with analog gauges.
Photo: Garage Kept Motors
The vendor mentions stuff such as the stereo system with CD player, power windows, power door locks, leather upholstery, and that's about everything. Accompanying the car are the original service booklet and owner's manual, so the lecture is also on deck, thus further boosting its appeal in the eyes of any collector, as this ride can boost the appeal of any collection, no matter how exotic it is. Mind you, we still think the car should be driven constantly rather than displayed in a climate-controlled environment.
Due to its meticulous maintenance and low mileage, this 1996 Dodge Viper GTS presents itself in top-notch condition. The appearance, specification, and other highlights mean that it's not a bargain machine.
In fact, the listing on Garage Kept Motors reveals that you will have to cough out $109,900 should you want to make it yours. That's more than the discontinued Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, which used to command a minimum of $91,300, excluding dealer markups and destination. So, could this awesome Viper GTS become your next used new car, or would you search for a more affordable one?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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