1997 Dodge Viper Gen 2 GTS-R

At Curated, we like to draw correlations between our cars and competition cars. We use the term “racing car for the street” around here rather often it seems and perhaps more than any car in our current or past inventory is this more justifiably applicable than with the 1998 Dodge Viper GTS-R which is presently in the Curated showroom.

From the beginning, Dodge Vipers were built to race with their big, thundering 8-liter V10 engines and dramatic bodywork competing in high profile sports car racing series in the U.S. based IMSA (NE: Professional Sports Car Racing) later American Le Mans Series and European-based series such as the BPR Global GT Series, FIA GT and European Le Mans Series, pitted against GT category challengers such as factory American iron such as Chevrolet Corvette, Saleen S7 and Panoz along with European competition from Porsche, BMW, McLaren and Lotus among others during the very high time in GT sports car racing worldwide.

In 1996, two teams took up the mantle of the racing Vipers. In the U.S., the Canaska Southwind team brought two cars to the IMSA GTS-1 category making their debut at the 1996 24 Hours of Daytona. While, in Europe the legendary French sport car entrants Oreca Racing likewise fielded two car entries in the BPR Global GT (later called FIA GT). Both teams converged to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where Canaska Southwind earned a well-deserved tenth place overall finish in the French endurance classic.

Other notable teams which entered Dodge Viper GT-Rs (and derivatives) included
Larbre Competion and Paul Belmondo Racing from France, Hayles Racing and Oftedahl Motorsport from the U.K., Viperacing from the U.S. and Team Taisan from Japan.

Notable drivers who piloted Viper GT-Rs included Alain Prost, Paul Belmondo, Kurt Luby, Richard Dean, Olivier Beretta, Karl Wendlinger, Dominique Dupuy, David Donahue, Tommy Archer, Marc Duez, Jean Philippe Belloc, Price Cobb, Mark Dismore and Justin Bell.

In all, Dodge Viper GT-Rs ran up an incredibly successful record of race wins and championships from 1997 through 2007. Overall race wins included the Nurburgring 24 Hours (1999, 2001 and 2002), 24 Hours of Daytona (2000) and Spa 24 Hours (2001 and 2002). Significant class victories included 24 Hours of Le Mans (1998, 1999 and 2000), 12 Hours of Sebring (2000), Petit Le Mans (1999), Fuji 1000KMs (2001), Nurburgring 24 Hours (2005, 2006 and 2007). Series championships included the FIA GT2 World Championship (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002), American Le Mans (1999 and 2000), FFSA GT Championship (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005), Italian GT Championship (2003 and 2004), Swedish National GTR Championship (2001, 2002 and 2003) and the European GT Series (2003).

Dodge was keen to showcase the Viper’s racing abilities from the onset as sales of the Bob Lutz designed cars were strong in the U.S. but disappointing in Europe and Asia where the company hoped to make a big entrance. Quite correctly, Dodge wanted to prove the car in real world competition against other cars in the market segment and the results spoke for themselves with factory and privateer Viper entries, particularly in the European market where they weren’t as well-known winning some of the world’s most important races, being driven by many of the top drivers of the time raising the company’s brand and the Viper model profile significantly in the process.

For homolgation, Dodge had to produce 100 Viper GTS-R examples for the road in order to meet the FIA’s requirements to compete on the global stage. Each of the 100 cars produced featured U.S. racing colors, white with long double blue stripes nose to bonnet (as seen on Oreca’s racing versions), and featured elements of the racing car in the road going versions.

The road going version Viper GTS-R borrowed the rear wing, front splitter, dive planes and deeper facia from the racing version. Replicas of the BBS racing wheels were also used while power was increased 460BHP with 500 foot-pounds of torque mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Dodge claimed a scorching 12.5 second quarter mile time and a top speed at an impressive 185MPH.

This car, #1010, is a two owner example with 980 original miles and comes with complete documentation including images of the car being built on the assembly line and its completion at the Dodge factory, original sales kit, drivers manual, warranty information, original sales literature, images of Viper Team Oreca racing car at speed at Le Mans, autographed driver hero cards featuring Justin Bell, Olivier Beretta, Karl Wendlinger, Pedro Lamy, David Donohue and team boss Hughes de Chaunac.

Documentation also includes correspondence between the original owner and factory
Dodge sales representatives, original window sticker and many service invoices and comes with cover and floormats.

Simply put, the Dodge Viper GTR-S is one of the most desirable and collectible big block Amercian GT cars of the era and represents long term solid market value.

Per Window Sticker:
Dodge GTS Coupe
Exterior Color: Stone White Clear Coat
Interior: Seats – Leather Bucket
Engine: 8.0L V10 SFI
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
 
Standard Equipment:
Air Bags – Next Generation
Air Bag On/Off Switch – Passenger
Brake – 4-Wheel Disc
Battery – 650 Amp Maintenance Free
Axle – Anti-Spin Differential
Axle Ratio – 3.07
Steering – Rack & Pinion
Suspension – Sport
Windshield Wipers – Var Intermittent
Spare Tire – Compact
Exhaust – Dual Rear
Pedals – Adjustable
Defrost – Rear Window
Clutch – 12”
Oil Cooler
Fuel Tank – 19 gallons
 
Interior Features:
Air Conditioning
Security Alarm
Windows – Power
Radio – Premium Sound w/CD and 6 Speakers
Shift Knob – Leather Wrapped
Cluster – Analog
Tachometer
Speedometer – 200MPH Primary
Mirror – Day/Night Rear View
Warning Chimes – Headlamps On
Steering Column – Tilt
Steering Wheel – Leather Wrapped
Console – Full Length Floor
 
Exterior Features:
Headlamps – Halogen
Fog Lamps
Windshield Glass – Tinted
Mirrors – Manual Fold-Away
Wheels – 17” Aluminium – Sparkle Silver
Tires – P275/40ZR17, P335/35ZR17 BSW
 
Optional Equipment:
GT2 Champion Group
Air Cleaner – Low Restriction
Dash Plaque – Serialized
Driving Belts – 5 Point Restraint
Graphics Package – GT2 Champion
Ground Effects – Ft Air Dam w/ Splitter
Ground Effects – Ft. Fasc w/ Aero Plates
Ground Effects – Side Sills
Spoiler – Winged, Rear
Stripes – Dual Painted
Tires – P275/40ZR17, P335/35ZR17 BSW
Wheels – 18” Aluminum – Painte