DODGE VIPER SRT-10

DODGE VIPER SRT-10

IF LOOKS COULD KILL

Text and photos: Reinis Babrovskis

We all have that one car we adored as kids, that “some day….. some day I will have one”. For me there were two – Dodge Viper and Honda S2000. I am lucky enough to have one of them now in my garage, but the Viper still remains a dream. Luckily for me though, I was able to meet my other hero in person and make my own poster photo as an automotive photographer just 29 years later after I saw my very first image of Dodge Viper.

We are now in a digital era now where everything is available and just a Google away; however, I didn’t grow up in those days; I was an 8 year old ex-soviet union child that never saw a foreign thing or not to mention a foreign car in my life. Just like today I remember being given my first foreign treat – a Turkish chewing gum called “Turbo” that featured car image inserts (collectibles). Once I enjoyed the lovely super chemical weird and wonderful tasting chewing gum I opened the wrapper – a red Dodge Viper stared at me. This is the very first time I saw a foreign car and this is probably the main cause of my love for cars and Dodge Viper in particular. It wasn’t like I could have googled anything more about it. It wasn’t until Gran Turismo was released on Playstation 1 when I was finally able to read more about this American sports car that I loved that much.

#THEHISTORY

Dodge Viper is an American 2 door liftback/convertible, rear wheel driven, lightweight sports car that features a V10 naturally aspirated engine and striking design. It was first clayed and presented to the Dodge director’s board in 1988 where it was immediately approved for manufacturing. The car was unveiled in 1991 where it blew away the press and automotive enthusiasts. The first production model rolled off the factory in 1992. 

Dodge put the Italian supercar manufacturer Lamborghini in charge of the development for their power unit, boy oh boy they didn’t disappoint. The V10 weighed in at 323kg and produced 400hp and 630Nm of torque that was mind blowing for its time. The car price tag was 50 thousand dollars and it really was the American supercar.

The Viper received 4 facelifts in total, resulting in five generations of Dodge Viper and each model being more impressive than the one before. Not something many automotive manufacturers can say. Dodge Viper also made very successful appearances in motorsport claiming multiple titles in various categories. The Viper was in production for 20 years and has been one of the most recognisable American modern cars, well...there may be another one.

#THECLASSICDUO

Once the Mustang failed to follow up the 1960s outstanding models, Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper became the two most iconic modern-day American muscle cars of the 90s and 2000s that featured just about in every racing computer game or movie. The iconic snake-like front end of the Viper or the unmistakeable rear taillights of the Corvette were the American signature in the ultimate sports cars world of the time.

Whether you prefer the Corvette or the Viper you must agree, both cars were well ahead of its time and so bonkers that only few mad people were brave enough to import them to Europe, hence why my pure excitement to see and photograph both in a small island in Europe.

Sadly, The Chevrolet Corvette in America I believe gets the same abuse and reputation as a BMW M3 in Europe – it’s a car for middle life crisis, but I couldn’t disagree or care less. The Corvette with its magnificent LS1 V8 engine, RWD and superb looks is just out of the price range for many, and only thanks to the second hand market prices now these beautiful cars can finally be afforded by younger people.

Dodge Viper on the other hand again was always just seen as this mental drag race machine that was faster than a bullet and as untameable as a pet Viper in a vivarium. The lightweight, driver aid-less Viper was just too mad for anybody to consider as their daily and the high price bracket meant it was yet again too much for many to afford.

#IFLOOKSCOULDKILL

Whether you agree or not Dodge Viper is one of the most striking cars ever designed, and unlike many cars where their successor became the ugly sibling in the family, Viper just kept blooming with every new generation. The third generation of the Viper SRT-10 known as ZB I, was designed by Osamu Shikado and Ralph Giles and it obviously didn’t disappoint yet again.

The most notable and exciting part of the Viper is its front end design that hasn’t changed much since the launch in 1992. After all these years it still features the exaggerated, long bonnet to accompany the big 8.3 V10 engine and features the snake fang-like air scoop and air ducts.

The front curvy bumper acts as a cold air intake and features striking snake eye headlights; probably my favourite part of the whole car.

Whilst the overall design of the car is very curvy with bulky arches and double curved roof to accompany for helmets in track days, the side of the car on the other hand suddenly turns razor sharp thanks to its over-arch cold air scoop that smartly blends into a sideskirt featuring the side exit exhaust.

The rear of the car is smartly lifted thanks to the built in rear bootlid spoiler. The bootlid also features a light up Viper badge and simple but smart looking taillights. The “bum” of the Viper is very muscly and looks spectacular at the set of traffic lights.

#ENGINE

The heart of the Viper has always been the naturally aspirated V10 engine but over the year its capacity has gone from 8 litres to 8.4. The ZB I featured an 8.3 litre engine producing mouth-watering 500horsepower from factory with 712Nm torque; however, this example received aftermarket upgrades like Mopar cams, bigger fuel pump, Mopar ECUand K&N intake and now pushes in excess of 700hp and enough torque to pull Empire State Building. The engine is coupled to a proper 6 speed manual gearshift, none of the automatic gearbox malarkey.

It is hard to put in words the rumble the V10 along with the Mopar Race Exhaust system makes in idle, not to mention when the revs climb. The car sounds possessed and would scare anybody in a mile radius of it. We did actually set off a few car alarms as we drove by some parked cars. There is no point in mentioning 0-60 times as this car will melt the tarmac before it will launch.

#WHEELSANDTIRES

The Viper really does not need any wheel upgrade as the factory 18” Chrome wheels suit it perfectly. To somehow even try to tame the Viper they have been wrapped with the stickiest Michelin Pilotsports 275/35 at the front and wait for it...mahoosive 345 at the rear. And yes you guessed it the Viper still will slide at any slightest touch of the throttle pedal.

#SUMMARY

With deep sadness it must be said that the production of this bonkers and phenomenal car was stopped in 2017 when Fiat Chrysler group announced the closure of its Conner Assembly Plant. Whether it was the poor sales figures or the speculated incapability to meet the safety regulations in USA but the Viper project was killed off for good. My childhood dream car was no more. All I hope is that one day I am able to get one in my garage next to my other poster car…

Sometimes cars are not supposed to be sensible, comfy or make sense. They can be all but that and be the best things ever. This is what Viper really is to me.

#BONUSIMAGES