Dodge is an American car brand that was founded in 1900 by the Dodge brothers; John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge. It is currently a division of Stellantis, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Dodge branded vehicles mainly consisted of trucks and full-sized passenger cars through the 1970s, though it made compact cars such as the 1963 – 76 Dart and midsize cars such as the “B-Body” Coronet and Charger from 1965-78.

In the 20th century, the Dodge brand came up with an inexhaustive list of unique and rugged models such as the WC series, Wayfarer, Viscount, Victory, Town Panel/Wagon, Sierra, Regent, Power Wagon, Kingsway, Deluxe and so on. Some of its current models are:

  • Challenger: 1970 – 1974; 1978 – 1983; 2008 – present.
  • Charger: 1966 – 1978; 1983 – 1987; 2006 – present.
  • Durango: 1998 – 2009; 2011 – present.

Let's now take a look back at Dodge before discussing the Viper RT/10 ‘Phase II SR’.

RELATED:Here's How The Trims Of The 2021 Dodge Charger Weigh Up (And Which You Should Buy)

Brief Revision Of Dodge

432639586_4890acc87c_b
Via: Stephen Hanafin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain

Over the years, Dodge has also made its way into the international market, this has been possible for the brand because of its consistency in coming up with high-class vehicle models. As a matter of fact, Dodge has a solid customer base in leading countries such as Argentina, Asian nations, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and Mexico among a plethora of other locations.

The brand has also made a mark for itself in the automobile industry through its passenger car output, along with its many truck, van and sports utility models.

Ever since Dodge started building cars officially in 1914, the company also offered light truck models and they proceeded to redesign these trucks to fit into modern scenery. Dodge started manufacturing modern, truck-style chassis, with side rails welded to the cross members. In fact, the Dodge brand was among the first automakers to introduce car-like features to its trucks.

All the above-mentioned cars and trucks played an indelible part for the Dodge brand in the years leading to the manufacturing and production of the Dodge Viper RT10 models.

RELATED: State Trooper Charger Drag Races Two Challenger Hellcats At Colorado Speedway

Introducing The Dodge Viper RT/10 ‘Phase II SR’

Bring A Trailer.com
Via: BringATrailer.com

This USA-built car is mostly referred to as “The second-generation Viper” and was designed by Tom Gale and manufactured by Dodge. It was in trend from 1996 till 2002 and it is mainly because the model builds upon the existing features of previous Dodge viper cars and carried over many parts from the previous generation, featuring a host of upgrades compared to the earlier assembled Viper cars produced from 1992 till 1995.

This second generation got more of everything, even though it was sort of a come back and redefinition of the first. It came in with improved agility, better performance, increased safety precautions and quite a number of creative amenities. Some buyers described the car as being “concrete” and “challenging”. It was basically a model that every car expert wanted to try out their driving skills with, it was that attractive!

On the surface, the noticeable thing that made the Dodge Viper RT/10 Phase II SR stand out from previous viper models was primarily the absence of side exhausts. The second-generation model was replaced with double standard exhausts towards the car’s rear. The first-generation model had three spoke wheels, but was replaced by five spoke wheels in variants of colors such as aluminum, white, and yellow.

RELATED: The 1971 De Tomaso Mangusta Could Easily Be Mistaken For A Lamborghini

Interior And Features Of The Dodge Viper RT/10 ‘Phase II SR’

Mecum Auction
Via: Mecum Auction

In its interior however, it was largely unchanged but a standard removable roof was introduced alongside sliding plastic panels for the windows. Beneath the car, the chassis was more stiffened and the suspension geometry was refined while a more spacious rear differential was added.

With a 6-speed manual transition, the valvetrain is double OHV and its fuel feed operates a sequential electronic ignition. The redline is 6000 while its body frame is in molded composite and aluminum panels over tubular steel frame. Front tires are F 275/40ZR-17 and rear tires are R 335/ZR-17. More specific features of the car are listed down below:

  • Displacement: 7990 cc/487.6 in cubed
  • Bore: 101.6 mm/4.0 in
  • Stroke: 998.5 mm/3.88 in
  • Compression: 9.1:1
  • Length: 4,448 mm/175.1 in
  • Width: 1,923 mm /75.7 in
  • Height: 1,115 mm/43.9 in
  • Front wheels: F 43.2 x 25.4 cm / 17 x 10 in
  • Rear wheels: R 43.2 x 33.0 cm / 17 x 13 in
  • Power: 309.5 kw/415.0 bhp @ 5,200 rpm
  • Specific output: 51.94 bhp per liter
  • Bhp/weight: 267.57 bhp per tonne
  • Torque: 661.6 nm / 488.0 ft lbs @ 3,600 rpm

Final Thoughts

The Dodge Viper RT10 model took the world by surprise with its over-the-top modern recreation of the original Shelby Cobra and just when it would have seemed as though the Dodge brand has concluded its quest to sweep the automobile industry off its feet, it further compounded the surprise by strutting into the market with a second-generation model known as the “Dodge Viper RT10 Phase II SR.

Within the years that the second-generation Dodge Viper was in vogue, the model proved to create a working balance between attainability and satisfaction. Although, it may not be easily accessible in the market anymore and chances of its return may appear bleak, it is undeniable that the Dodge Viper (both the first and second generation) remains in history as one of America’s most legendary sports cars.

NEXT:5 Reasons Why The DeLorean DMC-12 Was Actually Kind Of Cool (5 Reasons Why It Was Garbage)