1996 Dodge Viper

*1996 Dodge Viper RT/10*® The early 1990s wasnât a shining time for performance cars in the American automotive industry. Aside from the Corvette, dedicated sports cars just didnât really exist, and the cars that may have been fast in a straight line, couldnât hold up when the road got curvy. In the late 1980s, Dodge began showing a concept for a car called the Viper - advertised as a modern take on the Shelby Cobra, that would be powered by an enormous V10 up front. In 1992, they announced the car would be going on sale, known as the Viper RT/10 Roadster. This 1996 Viper RT/10 is from the first year of the updated Viper, known to fans of the marque as the âSR-II.â® Finished in Stone White with twin Blue stripes, this Viper shows 43,563 miles and has been under the care of the consignor for nearly 20 years. The second generation Viper was largely the same as the original design, but did receive some welcome refinement updates, and saw the exhaust moving from side-exit, to two large exhausts that exited in the center-rear of the vehicle. This example looks remarkable thanks to its color-matched white 17-inch 5-spoke wheels. Although best enjoyed as an open-top roadster, this car does include a canvas soft-top as well as a hard-top- both with removable side-curtains that feature movable windows.® The interior is finished in black leather, with blue leather accents on the steering wheel, shifter and parking brake handle. The seats sit low in the cabin, with a set of deeply hooded gauges laid out in front of the driver. Never intended to be a luxury car, the only option fitted to this example was the $1,200 air conditioning system, which is a welcome feature - especially if youâre driving with the top on. An Alpine CD head unit has been installed.® What the Viper is really about is whatâs laying under the hood. An 8.0-liter V8 that produces 415 horsepower and a remarkable 488 lb-ft of torque, help this car accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. When compared to the original Viper, the second generation car received some updated aluminum suspension components that reduced the carâs overall weight by 60 lbs, and the move from side-exit to rear-exit exhaust increased power by 15 hp. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential at the back of the car.® With the Viper, Dodge set out to create their interpretation of the Shelby Cobra and created quite a legacy. With five generations produced on-and-off for more than 25 years, the Viper has undoubtedly earned its place as one of Americaâs greatest sports cars. This example has been very nicely kept from new and is more thrilling behind the wheel than pretty much anything on showroom floors today.® *Key Features* * 8.0-Liter V10 * 415 Horsepower * 488 Lb-Ft of Torque * 6-Speed Manual * Stone White/Blue Stripes * Color Matched Stone White Wheels * Air Conditioning * Rear-Exit Exhaust * Black Leather Interior * Blue Lea