The 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 is an icon in itself. When we think of American sports cars, the Viper is always on top of the list, no matter what model year it is - and what makes it so appealing is its masculine proportions.

The Ford Mustang may have a stronger legacy to it, but the Dodge Viper was nothing short of a hero car among children and Hollywood stars that could afford having one.

You might argue saying that the Mercedes SL55 AMG is a man's car too. Well, of course it is, but it's more for the family man. Not the dude that wants to show off how ridiculously loud the engine is; the Viper RT/10 fits into that category. The bumpy hood and that 8.0-liter, V10 engine scream American muscle of a different kind. A car that won't care if the bystanders will have to use noise-canceling headphones when it passes by.

Related: Here's Why The Dodge Viper RT/10 Is Now An Insane $50,000 Sports Car

Dodge RT/10 Callaway Was A Viper Like No Other

Red 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 Callaway 440 Pace Car
Mecum

Apart from its aluminum 8.0-liter V10 engine, it featured a Callaway 440 Performance package, which saw a bump-up of 40hp from the standard 400hp the stock RT/10 produced.

Callaway also worked to improve the flow of the exhaust system and the flow of the intake system. The three Callaway Dodge Viper cars were built in New London Connecticut. You're possibly wondering why it has Speedway lights on top - well, that's because it was used as an official Pace Car in 1993, '94 and '95 at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville Connecticut.

Red 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 Callaway 440 Pace Car Side View
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The Dodge Viper Callaway featured a removable soft top and side curtains, plus a few dealer-installed accessories that included custom Viper GTS stripes, removable Speedway lights and a custom Viper car cover.

This specific Callaway Viper car has covered only 7,918 miles since new. There are even autographs of Bill 'Maverick' Golden, Harry Gant and Tommy Johnson Jr on it.

Callaway Makes Fast Cars Go Even Faster

Red 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 Callaway 440 Pace Car V10 Engine
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Callaway has largely dedicated itself to improving engines. To Callaway, the engine is the heart of a car, it's performance and sound - and we couldn't agree more. These guys have a state-of-the-art facility that's built exclusively for making improvements to a car's power, fuel economy and emissions, pushing it to the limit.

Be it the design and the development of the DOHC 4V cylinder heads for an Aston Martin, or twin turbocharged conversions for General Motors and Alfa Romeo, the guys at Callaway have it all covered.

Red 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 Callaway 440 Pace Car Dashboard
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Even if it's the efficiency and optimization of a Range Rover powertrain, customers can rest assured they'll carry out a swell job. In fact, Land Rover even introduced the Callaway Special Edition.

Callaway also produced turbochargers for the Mazda Speed Protegé series, which only goes to show that these engineers are willing to take on any high performance engine work for the OE.

Related: A Detailed Look Back At The 1964 Dodge Dart GT

Dodge RT/10 Viper Car Was A Ticking Bomb

Red 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 Callaway 440 Pace Car Rear View
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The Dodge Viper RT/10 is very different in nature, compared all the other American muscle cars and sports cars. While most of the muscle cars from its day were made to rake in the numbers, the Viper didn't seem to care a hoot, on the other hand, particularly the first-generation RT/10.

The Viper screams power that will intimidate any V8 engine car. Dodge's development strategy was to make the body from fiberglass, with the exhaust from the thumping V10 exiting from the sidepipes.

Red 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 Callaway 440 Pace Car 6 Speed Manual
Mecum

As it was a handful, the intimidating nature meant buyers were skeptical. The sales plan was clear: to draw in buyers who sat in it, drove it, and understood what was different about it. If you didn't like it, well, there was always the Ford dealership a few blocks away.

What was worse than the unsophisticated chassis design and the rather frightening engine, was the absence of any safety features or even driver aids. Which meant that, you were investing in the fastest casket money can buy. The first-gen Viper was a car that didn't seem to care much, and with Callaway throwing in its go-faster bits, it was more of a ticking bomb.

Red 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 Callaway 440 Pace Car Front View
Mecum

It did not have ABS, traction control, no airbags (good Lord!), no stability control, and wait for it - nor did not have side windows or outside door handles. But what you did get in the RT/10 Callaway, was 440hp transmitted to the rear wheels and 465 lb-ft of torque, paired to a T56 6-speed transmission. The Viper was not a car for the faint-hearted. It was never meant to be the car for college freshmen to turn up in for prom. The Viper was the most unfiltered, hairy chested pure American sports car and Callaway just added more protein powder to the mix.

Source: Dodge, Mecum Auctions