Unleashed! Street Serpent

[Jeff Lemke]

For the last two weeks, my morning ritual is to pace endlessly around this car. I stare at it. Questions race thru my mind. Is it exotic enough? Is it better than it was? Does it seem balanced? Is it too much? Does it have the emotional impact it is supposed to? Does it look aftermarket or does it look like it was designed this way? Do people say they love it to be polite, or is it truly breathtaking?

With the exception of a few positive comments from some teaser pics, I’ve only been able to guess the real answers. I know for sure that I love it. I grin every time I look at it. The reality is, nobody thinks their own kid is ugly. So, with this being the official unveiling, I’m ready for some answers.

We all know photos never give a car its full impact. For those who will be there, the car can be seen on display inside the Venetian Hotel in Vegas during VOI 9.

The hard top shown is not the final version. Along with slight refinements in the shape, The rear glass will not have rubber seal and will have an optional glass window with defogger.

Jeff

 

[big-n-italian]

<< We all know photos never give a car its full impact. >>

normally, yes. in this case, i think they did JUST FINE!

 

[Tommy K]

Looks great Jeff. I'd like to see a shot of the car's rearend too...straight on.
Good Luck with it!

 

[Sam 01 RT10]

Good job, that looks great.

 

[Finally got it !]

Jeff I think it looks great! I would love to see some more shots!!!

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Awesome!

Looks like something DC could have put out. They could unveil that at VOI as the gen 3.5 SRT/10 w/ optional hardtop.

I'm not hip on the wheels, but I know many people our.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

I would also like to see the hardtop from straight on. Also a shot of it inside.

 

[Hiss]

As my son use to say-ITS TIGHT

Really like it Jeff

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Looks great Jeff. I'd like to see a shot of the car's rearend too...straight on.
Good Luck with it!

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

Basically, it looks like coupe envy. I mean, I get for 03-05 it would have been great to have, but once the coupe came out, didnt it pretty much fix the driver's window back? The new front facia is cool, but from that back, your basically attempting to make a convert a coupe, which Dodge already did, and quite effectively I'd say.

Jon

 

[Ken Lally]

Wow- at first I thought this was the coupe-
My thought, I think the lower front end needs to comeout somehow a bit forward- to balance the higher lip on the rear.

 

[Newport Viper]

I still say you are trying to copy this guys look.....J/K

 

[Nader]

Jeff it looks amazing. I love the rear end. I think it has great curves, flows well and looks very aggressive. How much wider is the car front and rear?

It doesnt look anything like a coupe. Every panel is different besides the trunk and hood. Jeff correct me if i am wrong.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Correct. Every panel is changed but the hood and doors. The width is the key. 2 inches wider over all front and back. This gives the car a more coke bottle shape so it is not so straight along the flanks. The sill panel is kicked out quite a bit as well with a more sculpted side pipe.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

The new front facia is cool, but from that back, your basically attempting to make a convert a coupe, which Dodge already did, and quite effectively I'd say.

Jon

Yes, I love the rear end of the new coupe and that is why it is here. I think the pics mute what is happening with the rest of the car. The flared fenders and quarter panels with wider side sills make the standard car look flat. Its more of my attempting to bring in Comp Coupe than just coupe.

Jeff

 

[Topawam]

Awesome job Jeff, looks very sharp.
I think a side by side with a Coupe would reveal the differences of both styling.

 

[ILLSMOQ]

I think it looks great...nice job. Now you can have aggressive looks and still be able to drop the top....I see no problem with the coupe styled rear.

You happen to know the weight reduction going from stock parts to these parts in CF or fiber glass?

 

[Jeff Lemke]

You happen to know the weight reduction going from stock parts to these parts in CF or fiber glass?

Some of these panels are/were CF. In the end, I was disapointed with the Carbon Fiber. First off, if a thin layer of fiberglass is not laid with the CF, the heat from the sun will show the weave pattern in the paint. It looks REAL BAD. So, by the time you mix the glass with cf the weight savings is minimal. Combine that with the extreme cost, the very hard to get material is almost not worth it.

If this was a sole racer, and finish was not a priority, a more significant weight saving could be had.

That being said, each fiberglass panel weighs same as stock.

Jeff

 

[Simms]

That looks beautiful!

 

[Warfang]

must've needed a lot of bondo for that

looks great!

 

[Sam 01 RT10]

I'm liking it more and more with the top down, since that's how mine lives.

Damn, bodykit or Paxton.....

 

[Jeff Lemke]

must've needed a lot of bondo for that

looks great!

Actually, I went thru about 2 dozen gallons of scupting foam to make the molds. So, yes, it took alot to create this, but the panels are new.

 

[zorroespanol]

I love it!

I'd prefer the sills in matte black, other than that you got a winner!

Price on the kit?? must be a fortune...

 

[DodgeViper01]

That side shot is great. What does a kit like that cost?

 

[WickedV]

Very nice job!
Any close-up pics of the new hood emblem?
The shape kind of reminds me of the Superman logo.

 

[Nader]

Jeff the more I look at it, the more I am amazed. The workmanship that went into that car is amazing. I am sure in person is would look sick. Do you have pics the car and a stock Gen3 side by side?

I applaud you for your inspiration and effort.

 

[viperbilliam]

Re: Unleashed! Street Serpent

Dam Bitchin! I think the wheels look great along with your other touches. Regardless of what the rest of us think, the most important part is that you smile every time you look at it.

 

[viper585]

Re: Unleashed! Street Serpent

Jeff...that is a WINNER!! Love the more aggressive lines and bulges.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Very nice job!
Any close-up pics of the new hood emblem?
The shape kind of reminds me of the Superman logo.

My 4 year old loves SUPERMAN and yes the shield is a curvy verson of that. The snake is a sneaky pete/fangs combo. Personally, I still like fangs the best (It's pretty hard to beat) but I prefer this to pete.

A sharp eye will notice it in the wheel centers as well.

 

[VIPER D]

vd..