Brand New First-Gen Dodge Viper V10 up for Grabs With Amazing Story

Thanks to a dealer employee’s mistake, this brand new first-generation Dodge Viper V10 is still around and kicking.

While it remains a bit under appreciated for what it is, the first-generation Dodge Viper is still a seriously cool car that more and more enthusiasts are seeking out these days as a bargain supercar. Aside from its concept car-like styling, the early Viper is known for packing a massive 8.0-liter V10 that cranks out a still-impressive 415 horsepower and 488 pound-feet of torque, which had little weight to move around. However, this particular Dodge Viper V10 engine – which is currently up for grabs at Bring a Trailer – has never been installed in any actual vehicle, thanks to a pretty fascinating mistake made many years ago.

This Dodge Viper V10 was produced as a factory crate engine back in 1996 with the intentions of installing it in a first-generation Viper RT/10, and as such, was delivered to a Dodge dealership. Problem was, there was no Viper in the shop that needed a new powerplant – instead, an employee at the dealership ordered the engine by mistake, as they were actually trying to secure some red touch-up paint for a customer’s vehicle.

After messing up one single digit in the desired part number, the Dodge dealer soon took delivery of a Dodge Viper V10 rather than a mere tube of paint, though for reasons unknown, the dealer didn’t bother to return the powerplant to the automaker. Instead, the engine has since changed hands multiple times, never having been installed in a Viper, let alone anything else.

Living inside its entire life, the V10 looks to be in excellent condition, though it has never actually run. As a complete long block with everything from exhaust manifolds to accessories to even a clutch and pressure plate, it’s seemingly ready to install in just about anything one desires, though we imagine that the new owner will probably just keep it as a display piece on its current custom-made stand. After all, it may just be the only unused, brand new, factory-ordered first-gen Dodge Viper V10 left in the world.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.