Earliest Mention and Drawing of Viper Concept?

[PSilverGTS]

I thought this was an interesting mention of the Viper before there was a prototype made. It was only a 2" x 2" mention under FYI. I found this picture of the Viper in my old Car and Driver Magazine from '89. I saved this magazine because it was the first test drive the new 300ZX that I wanted and eventually brought one 5 years later. Little did I know then that fourteen years later from seeing the concept drawing of the Viper that I would actually be an owner. Funny thing is that the orginal Viper was drawn up almost 17 years ago and many people still think my GTS is a current design.

 

[big-n-italian]

Re: Eariest Mention and Drawing of Viper Concept?

cant say i have ever seen the word "ballyhooed" used in a sentence before.

i love the line - "this roadster would be a real screamer". boy did that prediction ever come true!

 

[PatentLaw]

Re: Eariest Mention and Drawing of Viper Concept?

Chrysler. Windshield is different. Cut outs for fog lamps is larger. No side exhaust. Basic wheels. Rear pillar is different. Overall shapes for todays car is similar, but many details have been worked out. An interesting piece of history you have there.

 

[big-n-italian]

Re: Eariest Mention and Drawing of Viper Concept?

awesome find BTW, thanks for sharing. i will add that to the registry tonight.

 

[KepRght]

Re: Eariest Mention and Drawing of Viper Concept?

wow, nice find!! thats truly a keeper

 

[Vic]

Re: Eariest Mention and Drawing of Viper Concept?

Great stuff indeed....

I saw a Japanese cartoon on this website, made before the Viper came out, that showed a funny looking car that bore a striking resemblance to the GTS. The license plate also said something like "GTS" on it, or something to that effect, that tipped the hat to the fact that it was knwon what car they were sketching for the cartoon.

Again, the really strange thing about it is, it was made well before the debut of the GTS, and it was a Japanese cartoon, no less.

 

[santo]

Re: Eariest Mention and Drawing of Viper Concept?

This was recently up on Ebay and it looks like it didn't sell...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1988-1989-Dodge-Viper-Concept-Experimental-Brochure_W0QQitemZ320018372831QQihZ011QQcategoryZ1318QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Santo

 

[DodgeViper01]

Re: Eariest Mention and Drawing of Viper Concept?

Great finds guys.