Viper production ends

Is this the end of an era, or just a short pause? After eighteen years, Dodge has ceased production of the Viper. The news was expected, having first been announced back in November 2009. The subsequent release of the Viper SRT10 Final Edition in April was confirmation of Dodge’s intentions.



The final car off the Detroit assembly line was a heavily customised example, built for an enthusiast from Texas who already owns forty Vipers. The paintwork - bronzed gold with copper stripes - is certainly, er, unique. It probably looks much nicer in the flesh…

There’s still no firm word from Dodge about the next-generation Viper. The rumours are that it won’t be with us until 2012, assuming it arrives at all. The company is still saying it is ‘investigating’ the situation but, judging by the encouraging comments Dodge Brand President and CEO Ralph Gilles makes in this YouTube video, there seems to be genuine appreciation of how important the iconic Viper is to Dodge.