Motor City Viper Club membership director and ACR owner Marty Heitkamp proudly stands behind his 9.0-liter Prefix engine conversion. Too much power? Nonsense. Andrew TrahanCome evening, with all three Vipers gone from the paddock and only my dour Honda awaiting the ride home from GingerMan, I felt fairly seized by sorrow. At not being able to drive them anymore, at not owning one, at not knowing when I’d get another chance. These cars are satisfying at a level that a modern Ferrari or McLaren can’t quite touch; they are determinedly analog devices that demand your full attention and reward you for giving it. No, they aren’t perfect, they fail to reflect the admirable virtues of our socially conscious modern society, and they are anything but upscale, but as Prince Hal said, we could better spare a better car.
With its constant improvement, its unflinching focus, and deeply satisfying abilities both on and off the racetrack, the Dodge Viper redefined the idea of the American sports car. It wasn’t just a great product by itself; the super serpent likely forced the Corvette to become better than it could have had it toiled in the field alone. We are poorer for its disappearance, but we will not forget it. From 1992 to 2017, the Viper lived in the Mack and Conner Avenue assembly plants. Today, it lives on: in the driveways of its owners. In the memories of those lucky enough to drive it, if only once. In the hearts of men.
1994 Dodge Viper RT/10
Matthew Tierney Engine: 488-cid V-10
Power: 400 hp @ 4600 rpm
Torque: 465 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Weight: 3500 lb
0–60 mph: 4.3 sec
Top speed: 168 mph
Price when new: $61,975
Hagerty #2-condition value: $46,500–$62,500
2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10
Matthew Tierney Engine: 505-cid V-10
Power: 500 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 525 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
Weight: 3400 lb
0–60 mph: 3.9 sec
Top speed: 190 mph
Price when new: $85,109
Hagerty #2-condition value: $45,000–$55,000
2016 Dodge Viper ACR (base)
Cameron Neveu
Engine: 512-cid V-10
Power: 645 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 600 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Weight: 3400 lb
0–60 mph: 3.2 sec
Top speed: 177 mph
Price when new: $122,490
Hagerty #2-condition value: $175,000–$190,000