First Dodge Viper Concept had many unique styling aspects compared to the production cars.
Today, we bring you a look at the very first Dodge Viper RT/10 in what is the first of Dodge Forum‘s exclusive seven-part series, “Concept Spotlight.” The series was inspired by a special Dodge media event we attended a few seasons back at the Dodge Brothers’ Meadowbrook Estate. The Viper RT/10, built by Metalcrafters for the Chrysler Corporation at the time, was just one of many vehicles FCA unearthed for viewing. While its production officially began in 1991 for the 1992 model year, the first concept was introduced at the 1989 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This exact car lived in the museumuntil it closed a few years ago and today, it lives in the Connor Center historical vehicle display.
The mighty Viper is once again absent from the Dodge lineup and this time, it could be forever. FCA claims to have no plans to reincarnate the Mopar supercar, but we continue to hold out hope that there will be a new Viper in the future. It might be years down the road, but for the most part, the Mopar community expects that the great American supercar is only gone for now.
At first glance, the 1989 Viper Concept looks a great deal like the production car. However, there are actually a handful of significant changes that were made before the first units were sold to the public. Let’s take a look.
Streamlined Face
The most notable changes to the Dodge Viper between the 1989 concept car and the first generation production cars are at the front. The crosshair grille, the huge fog lights and the lower front fascia all have the same basic shape, as do the headlights. But the tinted lenses of the concept car are a bit higher on the body and a bit further from the wheel openings. Also, the concept front fascia has a straight line running across the top while the production front fascia extends up between the headlights, carrying the Viper badge in addition to cradling the clear lenses.
1989 Dodge Viper RT/10 Concept vs. Final Production Model continued…
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