Motor City Dream Weekend

Red94Roadster

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Posts
131
Reaction score
0
Location
Michigan
Bravo Chrysler & the Illinois Viper Club!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining some fellow VCA members as guests of the Illinois Viper Club on a tour of several Viper-related facilities in the Motor City. The schedule included the CAAP - birthplace of the Viper, Prefix Corporation - a painting and customization specialist, the Chrysler museum, and the Chrysler Tech Center - where our snakes and many other awesome products are conceived. There was so much action packed into the 12 hour day, that it would take hours to type out, however, I want to extend my thanks to our hosts at each of the facilities for being so gracious to our presence. A special thanks to the organizers from Illinois. And an extra special thanks to the gentlemen at the Chrysler headquarters & technical center who stayed until 7:00pm on a Friday night to entertain a group of enthusiasts. They had folks from SRT, Aerodynamics, Engine development, and Design entertain our questions and discuss the development of the 2008 VIper/ACR as well as everything else that they could (wink, wink.) They had an ACR development mule for us to look at and even took everyone to the underground engine test facility where a 2008 8.4L V-10 was on the the engine dyno for us to see/hear in action. It was a real treat and a very classy reception.

Thanks again to all!
 

wastntim

Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 28, 2006
Posts
1,103
Reaction score
0
Location
Orland Park
It was a great trip. Seeing the plant was unbelievable. Alex, IL pres, did a great job putting this together and Howie and Gary, Il officers, made everything as smooth as could be.
 

big-n-italian

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
Posts
8,547
Reaction score
0
Location
Central Illinois
On that note,

:needpics:


i knew that was coming!

front door - conner.

IMG_63671.jpg
 

tmish

Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Posts
62
Reaction score
0
Location
Johnstown, PA
I had a fantastic time as well! My thoughts are the same on the stellar job by Alex, Howie and Gary and everyone involved. I enjoyed all the stops but the CTC tour was the biggest surprise. What a privilege to get the presentation we did and have the staff stay as late as they did. I also never expected to meet Herb on the trip, especially post retirement.

Alex, Did you see the great pictures of your car yet?

This being my first VCA organized event, I've got to give credit to everyone in the organization. I felt like I've known many of you much longer than the few days we spent in Motor City. I look forward to doing it again.
 

big-n-italian

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
Posts
8,547
Reaction score
0
Location
Central Illinois
cars coming off the assembly line. look closely at this pic. in the far back, you can faintly see a black frame. in the very front, you can see a car almost off the line. that is the length of the assembly line - 750 feet!

IMG_6476.jpg


this is a pic of Rich's back. Rich set out to find his coupe, and there it was - on the lift! rich actually got to see his car being put together for a little while! what were the odds of THAT? I think thye said only 8 cars are made a day.

IMG_6500.jpg


IMG_6504.jpg


there were about 200 cars in this room. all claimed and sold. the two rows of cars nearest you will be going to prefix for stripes. the rest are waiting ot be shipped to customers.

IMG_6494.jpg


then we went over to prefix.

i remember a thread awhile back about the lower area on the verts and whether or not this areas was painted. ITS PAINTED.

IMG_6576.jpg


ever wonder how the stripes get so perfect are are all so similar? templates! here is a hood template in place. there is also a nose template, tecklid template, etc. a tape line is made right next to the templates. then the rest of the car is taped off out from there.

IMG_6580.jpg


SSG coupe with fresh black stripes. SICK.

IMG_xxxx1.jpg


at the chrysler museum, my favorite shot of the 89 prototype car.

IMG_xxxx2.jpg
 

InjectTheVenom

Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 10, 2004
Posts
6,859
Reaction score
0
I would've paid good money to have been there... *sigh*... reminds me to go looking for a better job.
 

SmoknTires

Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 15, 2006
Posts
689
Reaction score
0
Location
Algonquin, IL
Thanks everyone for attending and for the great words of encouragement. I'm glad it went according to plan. I heard CTC ran long, but for good reason.

Of course, I got the short end of the stick! My poor car!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sitting in AZ during the presidents meeting and I start getting pictures of peoples "anatomy" on my car! I feel so violated. Here's a picture of some of the perpetrators.


Glad you all had fun. Look forward to another event of this scale this year in June...


You must be registered for see images
 

big-n-italian

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
Posts
8,547
Reaction score
0
Location
Central Illinois
My poor car!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sitting in AZ during the presidents meeting and I start getting pictures of peoples "anatomy" on my car! I feel so violated.

You must be registered for see images


if you think this is a violation alex, you should see the pics we cant show you! LOL
 

DEKE01

Viper Owner
Joined
Oct 19, 2007
Posts
322
Reaction score
0
Location
Centreville, VA
Bravo Chrysler & the Illinois Viper Club!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining some fellow VCA members as guests of the Illinois Viper Club on a tour of several Viper-related facilities in the Motor City. The schedule included the CAAP - birthplace of the Viper, Prefix Corporation - a painting and customization specialist, the Chrysler museum, and the Chrysler Tech Center - where our snakes and many other awesome products are conceived. There was so much action packed into the 12 hour day, that it would take hours to type out, however, I want to extend my thanks to our hosts at each of the facilities for being so gracious to our presence. A special thanks to the organizers from Illinois. And an extra special thanks to the gentlemen at the Chrysler headquarters & technical center who stayed until 7:00pm on a Friday night to entertain a group of enthusiasts. They had folks from SRT, Aerodynamics, Engine development, and Design entertain our questions and discuss the development of the 2008 VIper/ACR as well as everything else that they could (wink, wink.) They had an ACR development mule for us to look at and even took everyone to the underground engine test facility where a 2008 8.4L V-10 was on the the engine dyno for us to see/hear in action. It was a real treat and a very classy reception.

Thanks again to all!

Thanks to Alex and Gary and who ever else was involved with the logistics. It was my first VVA event outside my home region and it was a blast. My biggest disappointment of the whole trip was that CAAP didn't provide any freebies as momentos of our visit. I lobbied for crate motor give aways, but was told I could have one only if I could carry it out without assistance.
 
V

Venomiss

Guest
Thanks everyone for attending and for the great words of encouragement. I'm glad it went according to plan. I heard CTC ran long, but for good reason.

Of course, I got the short end of the stick! My poor car!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sitting in AZ during the presidents meeting and I start getting pictures of peoples "anatomy" on my car! I feel so violated. Here's a picture of some of the perpetrators.


Glad you all had fun. Look forward to another event of this scale this year in June...


You must be registered for see images

Now I see the picture you were talking about at dinner in Phoenix....anticipation.:D
 

YELLOH

Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 8, 2006
Posts
607
Reaction score
0
Location
Cape Cod, Mass
Wow Alex , we were unfounate to be on the other bus when this was going on. The Green Viper definitely looks the best. Nice choice. Thanks for a great weekend, you couldn't ask for a better time. Hope to see everyone at the next one.
 
Top