Modern Cobra:1992 Viper

[nautoncall]

Car got here at 6 tonight. l did get to put 5 miles on it. It's #71 with 27k miles. Overall pretty good condition. I was really impressed with the ride. Clutch and power delivery very smooth. Gearbox really nice.

I'm really excited to find it. Amazing they were marked up 100k over MSRP. (See the attached photo with the markup). Luckily I have all receipts and documents. Can't wait to put some miles on it!!!

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[GTdrummer]

Here is VIN 0002. It's a tank but I like it. Bought 11, but only have this now. Enjoy it-- your grandchildren will be happy.

 

[twobjshelbys]

The first vipers were brutal and "unfinished". Yep, a Cobra is a good comparison.

 

[nautoncall]

I knew you had #2. That's so awesome! I'm so excited to really get to know the car. I've been reading a lot how Carroll Shelby wanted to create a modern day Cobra. The more I research, I'm amazed Chrysler took the chance on it.

I know personally 2 other Viper guys who have 92's. I'm happy to join the club.


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[Gierkink]

What a coincidence. I purchased this 1992 (#176) a month ago. It's got 3K miles on it and looks like it just came from the factory.

 

[Roadtrip]

Congrats on the '92!!! Awesome raw, fun car!!!

 

[GTdrummer]

A couple of historical pics. Bob gave me first dibs on his 98 GTS-R and like an idiot I passed. He gave me a lot of paperwork and a million stories. He remains very active in his 80s , and we email frequently. Iacocca still has 0001, but it may have had some damage. 0008 Was Eaton's and sold at auction many years ago. Mine has two motors. It appeared on a number of mag covers. It has 7700 miles-- All Lutz except about 100

 

[nautoncall]

Happy to join the club with you guys. Hope to put some miles on mine this weekend. Well, I personally know where 5 of them are now. I wonder how many are actually "alive"?

GTdrummer, what aftermarket hardtop and windows do you have?

 

[Awsum GT]

I have owned 9 Vipers over the years... There is just no comparison to the GT's. My 2006 sits in the garage like a forgotten stepchild. Nice cars but nowhere near as much fun to drive as the GT!

 

[GTdrummer]

Happy to join the club with you guys. Hope to put some miles on mine this weekend. Well, I personally know where 5 of them are now. I wonder how many are actually "alive"?

GTdrummer, what aftermarket hardtop and windows do you have?

Can't recall the Windows but not much better than curtains. I think the top was made for Bob by Autoform. It says, " Serial Number Lutz". It did not do thru a dealer-- the keys simply say " Mr. Lutz." If you need anything my friend Jon Brobst ( Jon B) has it at parts rack.com . He is a walking Viper encyclopedia.

 

[Gierkink]

I have owned 9 Vipers over the years... There is just no comparison to the GT's. My 2006 sits in the garage like a forgotten stepchild. Nice cars but nowhere near as much fun to drive as the GT!

Agreed, but I personally think the 1992 Viper is a pretty important car. Arguably the first car in the second wave of American muscle cars.

 

[Dolph]

Antenna cars. I have one. All '92s and a few early '93s (don't know actual numbers) had the external antenna on the left rear.

There is a cool little sticker in the glove box from Team Viper.

I read an article after I got my car about the owner needing to go ahead and order another set of tires, because they wear so quickly. So I did. Never put them on so I still have a complete set of original Michelin XGT Zs. They haven't been made since "Cooter was a pup".

I put 3.45 gears in right after I bought the car new and it sure makes it more fun.

Dolph

 

[GTdrummer]

It's an amazing story. Bob showed me his Cobra in a barn and said he kept looking at and wondering why someone couldn't replicate it . He went to Gale who agreed and then he went to Iaccoca who gave him $50M and I think about 18 months to produce.

It was the hit of the 89 car show. Shelby lobbied for a V8 but Lutz and others said the V10 was one of the reasons it was so popular. It was produced on time.

 

[nautoncall]

GT.. You will love this photo from a book telling the history of the 1992

Tom Gale, Carroll Shelby, Francois Castaing, and Bob Lutz

According to the book, Lutz told Shelby why don't they come up with a 90s version of the 427 Cobra . Said they conceptualized the car in 30 mins. Shelby had no direct role in the engineering or design because he was waiting for a heart transplant.


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[GTdrummer]

That's the car in the museum in Auburn Hills. Semi amusing story. A couple of years ago, when driving the car around the block I reached down and turned on the stereo. Bob had left a Tom Petty cassette .

 

[nautoncall]

Going through all the old documents and service work, very interesting to find out car was owned by PGA player, Rocco Mediate. He's best known for losing to Tiger in a playoff in the 2008 US Open. He was second owner and the first to title the car. He owned the car until a few months ago. The weather is bad so still sitting in the garage.


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[nautoncall]

I got to put about 15 miles on the car even though there was a slight mist. I absolutely love the car. It's slow. The exhaust note sounds terrible as does the radio. However, it's just such a fun neat car....and I actually have a spare in the trunk!!!



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[spyder625]

What should I be looking to pay for a 1992 with 10-15K miles?

 

[nautoncall]

I don't know if enough have changed hands recently to know a good market value. Try driveviper.com




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[GTdrummer]

What should I be looking to pay for a 1992 with 10-15K miles?

Depends on some degree on VIN. However, I may be wrong but it will be a lot cheaper now than later.