The Generation Game: Dodge Viper

[Liquid]

The Generation Game: Dodge Viper

1991-2002 Dodge Viper (SR I/SR II)

Bodystyles: 2-door targa, 2-door coupe, 2-door liftback
Engine: 8.0L V10
Drivetrain: FR
Length: ~4.47m / 176in
Weight: ~1,520kg / 3,344lbs

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2002-2010 Dodge Viper (ZB I/ZB II)

Bodystyles: 2-door roadster, 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible
Engines: 8.3 - 8.4L V10
Drivetrain: FR
Length: ~4.46m / 176in
Weight: ~1,559kg / 3,430lbs

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2012-2017 Dodge Viper (VX)

Bodystyles: 2-door coupe
Engines: 8.4L V10
Drivetrain: FR
Length: 4.46m / 176in
Weight: 1,525kg / 3,355lbs

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The delineation between gens isn't absolute with some of the Vipers. You may quibble at your leisure.

Previous Results Thread

 

[AEKara38]

All of them, especially in AEK colours or blue and white, don't make me choose! Since Need For Speed on PS1 I've loved Vipers

 

[05XR8]

First Viper I ever saw was the original targa on the West Side Highway. Around that time of debut. My brother was driving his ‘88 Cordia L. We’re taking a regular cruise down the Henry Hudson Pkwy and doing a run down to South Street Seaport and then loop up the FDR and back to The Bronx.
As we exit to where the Henry Hudson becomes West Side Highway, we see this red Viper with yellow wheels. Look like John Madden(not) was driving. The top of the guy’s head was over the windscreen! Anyway, not sure the car was even for sale yet. Traffic was hectic as usual, our lane was moving and we never saw it again.
So, in 1996, I had traded my 1990 Saab 9000 turbo for a ‘92 Passat GL(I wanted the green Passat GLX that was next to it, but a married couple offered more down payment to the dealer, which was Potamkin Volkswagen). Wouldn’t you know it, possibly the same red with yellow wheels Viper was on the showroom floor!

Love me a top off car, but the First Gen GTS is the joint. Bonkers styling and the motor. Newer Vipers are faster, but to me, the original is perfect.

 

[-Fred-]

No contest.

But if we have to stick to road cars, it's still the first gen GTS, blue over white.

 

[Liquid]

No contest.

But if we have to stick to road cars, it's still the first gen GTS, blue over white.

Absolutely agree but I will also submit:

I think the third-gen also looks fantastic but it doesn't have anywhere near the cultural impact as the first RT/10 and GTS. The first-gen Viper is a proper Gran Turismo car - for lots of us non-Americans, particularly young ones in the 1990s, it was a completely amazing WOW! car to have in a game absolutely of the Zeitgeist.

 

[TheCracker]

Difficult one this. They're all equally cool and all equally good looking. Got to go with the first gen as that's the one with the most motorsport heritage and also being the original means what followed wouldn't have existed had it not being for impact that it created.

 

[Jezza819]

Easy choice, first gen GTS, blue with white stripes.

 

[lilcat89]

First-gen GTS, in blue with white stripes in just perfection to me. As a kid, I had a set of Maisto 1/18 scale American sportscars with the Cobra-R, C5 Z06, and Viper GTS. The Viper was the prettiest looking one of the set, and probably the best looking American car of the era. The first Daytona 24 I remember watching was the one that the Oreca Viper won overall. Those GTS-Rs helped and I do quite like the Second-gen SRT-10 roadster as well, but just not as much.

 

[Tornado]

Think the second Gen is kinda lame, but it's a tight race between the first and third. Have to mull it over.

 

[BKGlover]

Gen 1. Something about Gen 3, not sure what exactly, never grabbed me, and while I like the Gen 2 look it was at it's best in it's racing/track day versions (Comp Coupe and ACR specifically for me.) but the original was a shock that has never let go of my heart, even if it wouldn't hesitate to kill me, and then the GTS was released and it is still a gorgeous thing that is still likely to kill me.

That said, if I could afford any of them I would not say no.

 

[McLaren]

No contest.

But if we have to stick to road cars, it's still the first gen GTS, blue over white.

2,250,000 reasons this is the correct answer. IIRC, this specific chassis absolutely dominated the 2000 GTS roster.

 

[Liquid]

Apropos any and other memories of the cars, I always associate the original RT/10 and GTS with the fabulous dealership music in GT1.

 

[Liquid]

@Tornado Just curious what settled your vote in the end?

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

First gen all the way. At least to look at. I don't think I'd want to actually own and drive one.

 

[Liquid]

Bit too busy today so the next thread will go up tomorrow.

 

[Nexus]

Before the power to weight ratio and speed limits were introduced, we had a few 3rd gen ACR's winning the top class of the Adelaide Rally over the years - against Exige's and GT2 RS's. Insane machines.