Miguel Sánchez
In 1988 there were not good times for Chrysler. The company had been on the brink of bankruptcy for several years, and its rivals - Ford and Chevrolet - far outsold it. For one of the most decisive automobile companies in US history, the future was looking very dark. To overcome this, many managers would have desperately thrown some kind of family car, compact, inexpensive and easily sold.
However Bob Lutz He was not just any manager. This former Marine was vice president of sales at BMW, as well as vice president of Ford; where he played an essential role in the development of the Escort, Sierra and Explorer models.
At a time as risky as it was desperate, Lutz had a vision: the relaunch of the group would pass through the Dodge brand. Specifically through the launch of a sports car without concessions or finesse. A two-seater car, inspired by the muscular sports cars of the '60s, with manual gearbox -we are in America-, and without any electronic control or brakes or traction. Of course… it was not the most orthodox business option.
FORTUNE SMILES ON THE BOLD
Lutz put a seasoned designer in spectacular sportswear at the helm: Tom Gale. Responsible for the Lamborghini Diablo himself. It granted him complete freedom. Plus, to ensure the Spartan purity of the project Lutz hired Carroll Shelby. Both Gale and Lutz had many of the qualities of the legendary Shelby Cobra in mind, so with the addition of Carroll, uncompromising sportsmanship was assured. It was the late 80s and the intention was to resurrect the spirit of the wildest American sports car of the middle of the century.
As it was, the work progressed rapidly: in less than a year the first prototype was ready. The result could not be more radical. Because I had nothing accessory, I didn't even have a roof. Any concessions to comfort were banished, lacking windows or air conditioning. Also, the only traction control was in the skill that the driver was given with the pedals, the steering wheel and the brake.
An extreme car. With side exhaust pipes to remind you that you are sitting on the fire. Quite a thoroughbred not easy to drive since the slightest mistake, takes you off the road. In an industry increasingly entrusted to electronics and driver assistance, the Viper caused a sensation just because of its radical and savage nature. Before production began, there was already a waiting list. Which was not a bad idea considering that in its first year -1992- only 285 were manufactured.
THE DETROIT - SANT'AGATA BOLOGNESE CONNECTION
In the late 80s, and until 1994 when it was sold to an Indonesian investment group, Lamborghini was owned by Chrysler. Working with sports cars and given this circumstance… it is clear that there has to be a connection between the Detroit and Sant'Agata factories. Before we have seen how the designer of the Diablo was also the designer of the Viper, but the most powerful connection is in the motor. Yes, the heart of the Viper was devised in Italy.
As a declaration of intent regarding power, Dodge provided Lamborghini with a cast iron block designed for trucks. The assignment was simple: "Turn it into a sports engine". Before long a 10'7 liter V9 capable of delivering 400 CV. Made of aluminum alloy, it propelled the fiberglass bodywork up to 240 km / h. And also, at a quarter of the cost of a Lamborghini Diablo engine. The Italian-American connection had paid off: a sports car defined by lightness -1490 kgs- and power. The memory of the Cobra was on everyone's mind. With the Viper, Dodge managed to create another American icon (albeit with an Italian heart).
Such an exciting icon capable of making some overflow with passion when talking about him. If you don't believe us… take a look at the following video:
A STORY OF DEATH AND RESURECTION
The commercial and advertising success of the Viper is unquestionable. Immediately, the model entered the American collective imagination. He appeared constantly in series and movies, as well as in the bedrooms of millions of nineties teenagers; There is a rumor that Tom Gale made more fortune thanks to the image rights on the posters than with what he earned as a designer of his body.. On a commercial level, its excellent performance made it capable of competing with the Ferrari and Lamborghini, but at a much more affordable price. As we said before, fortune smiles on the bold and the Viper ... is a very bold car.
In 1994 it began to become more civilized: air conditioning was offered as an option. And in 1996 the version with roof was launched: a GTS Coupé designed to be used on a day-to-day basis. Three years later, in 1999, a golden year arrives for its more competitive side. Version is released American club racer, which was around 450 CV. With a more sporty character based on very hard suspensions and competition seats in which to crush yourself when you feel its spectacular acceleration.
In addition, that same year the GTS-R is presented. "R" for Race, and is that this Viper designed to compete in GT racing he won 16 of the 18 events he participated in over two years. 16 of 18 ... That was the character of this car.
The design update experienced in 2003 augured a long life, but the truth is that Chrysler was still going through very tough times. So tough that, to bite the bullet, the Viper disappears in 2007 while the company continues to operate at a loss. Just a year later, Viper suddenly returns to the market with the launch of new models; some of such little hopeful name as "Final Edition", which carry 50 units manufactured until February 2010.
With the healthiest economy since the 2009 alliance with the FIAT group, 2013 saw the resurgence of this icon. With engines of up to 640 hp and a rear spoiler -in the ACR version- just 1776 millimeters wide. Just 1776 millimeters because 1776 is the founding year of the United States of America. Can you be more American? The Detroit legend once again left his burnt rubber trail at the exit of many traffic lights.
ONE STEP BEYOND: 900 CVS?
As you have seen, the power of the Viper engines is not exactly small ... even more so if we take into account the power / weight ratio. But from what you see ... some of those 640 CV still know little. We have come across this Viper modified on the Craigslist website to be able to yield between 820 and 900 hp. It's obviously not a Dodge-designed unit; They are not so crazy! This particular car is developed from a 1996 model, supercharging the engine until it reaches that horsepower. Vale that supercharging the engines is an American tradition rooted in its "Drag strip”-The acceleration races-, but what the company Dallas performance has done with this Viper is a real madness. For $ 50.000 it's yours. But buying something that could kill you in the first rush ... is, at least for us, not very tempting.
NEVER MORE?
Last year we were assaulted by the news that the Viper would see the end of its production. Specifically on August 18, 2017. The last one would be like the first: red. And after all this history ... Today the vision of the last Viper lined up on the Conner Avenue assembly line makes us very melancholic. After 25 years the Dodge Viper has excited the imagination of millions of teenagers and has emerged as a true contemporary classic. But who knows, maybe he will resurrect a third time. Just when we most need to believe the old myths.
