Dodge Viper (Mk1, 1992-1996) icon review: the ultimate American sports car

Despite the Viper selling in modest numbers, Chrysler continued to develop it. And in 1995 a facelifted edition introduced a removable hard top, a conventional exhaust that exited at the rear, and more power, along with a GTS coupe option. 

A heavily redesigned second-generation Viper emerged in 2002, with a 500bhp 8.3-litre V10. Initially sold only as a roadster, once again a coupe followed, in 2005, then in July 2010 the final Dodge Viper was made. 

Or so it seemed, because in April 2012 a third-generation car was unveiled, now with an 8.4-litre engine rated at 640bhp. It was the most highly developed of the lot and the best Viper yet, but sales were very slow. However, Chrysler persisted until August 2017 when the final car was made, 26 years after that first prototype had broken cover. 

One of the very first examples produced, the Viper pictured here misses the mark in so many ways, but continuous development turned the Viper into a more user-friendly car that’s much better to drive. So it’s a shame that we’ll probably never see anything like it ever again, in a world that’s much more eco-conscious than it was when the Viper burst on to the scene in the late eighties.

Interested in buying one?

In 1993 the Viper landed in the UK, but in left-hand drive and painted red only; fewer than 70 were sold. Priced at £55,000, these cars were badged as Chryslers, while any personal imports wear Dodge badges. The chances of finding a first-gen Viper for sale here is slim, so you’ll probably have to shop in the US, where Mk1s range from $35k (£28k) to $55k (£44k).

Avoid any Viper that needs new body panels or significant repairs, because major parts have been unavailable for years. If they do turn up, they’re pricey. At least the Viper’s construction is simple, so inspection is easy and so are most mechanical repairs. 

While the engines are tough, pre-1996 V10s can suffer from head gasket failure, which is costly to fix. Gearboxes are also very strong, but clutches last no more than 30,000 miles and are expensive to replace.