Dodge Viper RT/10
The original Viper in the early ’90s showed what happens when talented individuals with clear goals want to make the perfect car. Chrysler enjoyed solid sales and wanted a model to celebrate their success. They also wanted a car to connect them with their muscle car roots from the ’60s and ’70s. But they wanted a car with more power, refinement, and performance to show that a light but powerful roadster was still attractive. Thanks to their influence, the team soon gathered over 80 engineers and designers, officially starting Project Viper. In 1989, they revealed the Dodge Viper concept at the Detroit Motor Show. Automotive fans went crazy over the aggressive but elegant lines with a prototype V10 engine.
The public’s reaction was so overwhelming that Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca rushed the car into production. They wanted it to be ready for its 1992 release and pace car duty at the legendary Indianapolis 500. Under the hood was an 8.0-liter fully aluminum V10 with 400 HP and 465 lb.-ft of torque. The performance secured the Viper’s place as one of the most powerful new models on the market. With a price of just over $50,000 and 0 to 60 mph times of 4.6 seconds, the Viper beat those European exotic machines.