13. Dodge Viper RT/10
The original ’90s Viper was what happens when talented individuals with a clear goal want to make the car of their dreams. They were Bob Lutz, then president of Chrysler Corporation, chief engineer Francois Castaing, and chief designer Tom Gale. The trio was joined by the legendary Carroll Shelby who was heavily involved with Chrysler’s performance program in the late ‘80s. Chrysler wanted a model to celebrate their success and to connect it with their muscle car roots. Castaing, Lutz, and Gale were all big fans of the original Shelby Cobra, which is the most exciting American muscle cars ever built. The team wanted to build a modern-day Cobra with more power, refinement, and performance. Thanks to their influence in the industry, the team soon gathered over 80 engineers and designers, starting project Viper officially.
In 1989, they revealed the Dodge Viper concept at the Detroit Motor Show. The reaction of the public was so overwhelming that Lee Iacocca, Chrysler chairman, ordered the start of production. The team rushed the car into production so it would be ready for its 1992 release and pace car duty for the legendary Indianapolis 500 race. Under the hood was an 8.0-liter fully aluminum V10 delivering 400 HP and 465 lb-ft of torque which secured the Viper’s place as one of the most powerful new models on the market. The design wasn’t much different from the prototype with a roll bar, long hood, and short rear end. With a price tag of just over $50,000 and 0 to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, the Viper beat many European exotic machines. Best of all, the Viper established itself as one of the best looking, fastest cars of the early ‘90s. The legend of America’s deadliest snake had officially begun.