Listen to the noise. Feel the power. Embrace the insanity. Because there’s nothing sophisticated about the Dodge Viper. Huge engine, massive power, rear wheel drive, hold on to the steering wheel as if you life depends on it, because it actually does. This low mileage third generation Viper SRT-10 is finished in American racing colours, is capable of a blistering 190 mph and will seat you and a brave passenger in all-American air conditioned comfort. You’ll need it as the sweat breaks out on your brow.
The original Viper was designed as a muscle car to revive the one-proud fortunes of Chrysler’s Dodge brand. The mighty 1960s V8-engined Dodge Charger was a distant memory when the Viper was conceived - and then introduced to the cheers of the crowd at the Indianapolis 500 in 1991. At the wheel that day was American racing legend Carroll Shelby because Chrysler wanted their new snarling baby to be compared to the all-conquering Shelby Cobra of the 1960s. Certainly it was as far from the everyday drudgery of the rest of the Dodge range as it was possible to get.
By the time of this third generation, Dodge had allowed the Viper a fixed roof and some creature comforts were ready and waiting for driver and passenger. But the ferocity remained. Under that long bonnet is the heart of the beast: a 500 bhp V10 engine. Dodge had a cast iron V10 just about ready to go when the Viper was in development, but it was deemed too heavy. Instead, Lamborghini – which parent company Chrysler owned at the time – remanufactured the hefty V10 in aluminium. That’s an 8.3-litre V10, by the way, for those doing the numbers.
A rare beast
Just 200 of these First Edition SRT-10s were produced and this one has a mere 7,334 miles on the clock, so is barely run in. That engine presents as the Italo-American sculptural masterpiece that it is. Exhausts exit to the side, alloys are polished, brake calipers are bright red and subtlety is not a word that you’ll be using much. Open the door to the heavily bolstered black leather seats of the barely-used interior boasting Alcantara inserts. Blue accents inside mark this car out as First Edition, not that you’ll be noticing with the horizon approaching so fast.
Every single one of the fearsome beasts, as we’ve said, will most certainly bite back unless driven expertly and with due reverence to all that power slamming through the huge rear wheels. That is the appeal of any muscle car to the enthusiast, of course. Make allowance first for the frankly ferocious fuel consumption - owners report reaching 20 mpg as a major achievement - and then consider the adrenaline rush every time you fire up that V10 and find the roads to hold your breath and floor the accelerator. Convinced? The SRT-10 First Edition is on sale through 4 Star Classics at £87,495. We’ll never see its like again.
