The legendary 1997 Dodge Viper GTS still lives up to enthusiasts' appetite with a monstrous V10 and a vintage outlook.
The sports cars are melting away at warp speed, and there's nothing they're leaving of themselves but a glorious record. The history of sports cars is laden with tens of cars boasting unforgettable designs and extraordinary powertrains. Any argument on American sports cars would feel lousy if specific nameplates are cast aside, and the Dodge Viper is sure to be in that category.
In the early '90s, Dodge took its chance to produce a unique 2-door pony car that seems curious to venture into any race track, no matter who the rival is. The all-new Viper was originally introduced as a concept car at the 1989 North American International Auto Show and entered the market in the following years. The press and people were startled by both the looks and the power of the Dodge Viper. It lived on for almost three decades in five generations but eventually had to bail out due to relatively low sales rates.
Although the Dodge Viper wasn't as triumphant as the Dodge Challenger (it wasn't supposed to be, though), many would pick out the Viper as their all-time supercar. It looks goofy and nimble and bears a heavy V10 that makes insane figures.
The 1997 Dodge Viper GTS is a much-loved member of the second generation called SR II. Despite the slam-bang powertrain that is massive enough to throw you back in your seat, the 1997 Dodge Viper GTS is said to feel comfy and smooth. Now that the Viper is having its first years of discontinuation, people's drive to get their mitts on a Dodge Viper coupe that belongs to before the 2000s is on the rise. Let's learn more about the legendary 1997 Dodge Viper GTS and see how much it costs today.
The 1997 Dodge Viper GTS Cranks Out Enough Power To Knock Down The Likes Of The Ferrari F355 GTS
The first generation of the Dodge Viper paved the way for the GTS Coupe variant to roll in for the next generation. Except for a bunch of similarities in appearance, the new Viper GTS coupe had not much to share with the RT/10 Roadster. The elevated outcome figures were the most notable change that took the Viper brand name even closer to the top end of the fast-going pony cars of its time.
Under the hood of the 1997 Dodge Viper GTS lies a dreadful 8.0-liter V10 that puts out a maximum of 450 hp at 5,200 rpm and 490 lb-ft. of torque at 3,700 rpm. This outrageous engine sends power right to the rear axle and is coupled with a fully synchronized 6-speed manual transmission.
It takes the '97 Dodge Viper GTS no longer than 4.0 seconds to hit 60 MPH from the standstill. Though it couldn't come within reach of the Porsche 911 Turbo S, the '97 Viper GTS was all confident to triumph over the Aston Martin V8 Volante and the Ferrari F355 GTS.
The Lightweight 1997 Dodge Viper GTS Feels Comfortable In Its Skin And Makes You Feel The Same Way
Although gearheads would die for more pace, a mere forceful drivetrain may fail to perk things up on its own. The 1997 Dodge Viper GTS made an invaluable mark on performance and handling. With a base curb weight of 3,383 lbs, the '97 Viper GTS is almost as skinny as the Porsche 911. That is while the Dodge Viper GTS, unlike barefoot supercars with nearly vacant interiors, had the advantage to offer extra features, such as an air conditioning system, power windows, airbags, and a CD player.
More aspects attribute to the '97 Dodge Viper GTS's remarkable performance, including smooth steering, upgraded exhaust system, and sticky tires. It also has coil-shock suspension, which is a necessary go-fast unit as it provides far better control on the road.
How Much The 1997 Dodge Viper GTS Costs Today
What's really absorbing about the inside of the 1997 Viper GTS is how separate parts are in harmony with each other. The sleek, minimalistic interior design fleshes out its uniqueness when mixed up with bright colors. The 1997 Dodge Viper GTS offered the new flame red color for the first time. Whether blue or red, the spiffy exterior always sparkles out even in the distance; the signature taillights and headlights add character to the car, as well as two subtle bumps on the roof.
The 1997 Dodge Viper GTS has served the auto world well, without any severe performance or reliability complaints. Although there's a lot of range on the price tag, a well-maintained '97 Viper GTS would cost you around $80,000, which can go further up to $120,000 or more.