The original Viper was dreamed up as a modern-day Shelby Cobra, a perfect rebound from the malaise era and Lee Iaccocaโs botched attempt at making the brand exciting by creating the underwhelming Chrysler TC.
The humble budget in question was $70 million; a huge sum indeed, but a modest budget by Detroit standards and also five times less than the TCโs development costs. The production Viper was paraded byย Carroll Shelbyย at the 1991ย Indianapolis 500ย in a fitting introduction to the no-nonsense sports car.
The Viper went on sale as a 1992 model, infamously missing even basic features like exterior door handles and air conditioning. All that didnโt matter though because the Viper had exactly whatย Chryslerย lacked for decades: a sensual design, 400 horses of largely unassisted American power, and a sub-zero cool name. Unquestionably, the Viper was an instant icon.
Photo Source: Mecum Auctions