Dodge Viper ACR Is a Proper Send off for a Legend

When Dodge decided to tame its famously untameable car, the Viper ACR was born. And records quickly fell!

When the original Dodge Viper exploded onto the scene way back in the early ’90s, it truly shocked the world. At the time, no one expected anything like this unholy machine to ever see production or public roads. After all, the Viper was a purist’s recipe for fun, what with its roaring V10 engine and complete lack of electronic driving aids. The Viper evolved into a more reasonable machine over the years, but always retained the edge that made it famous in the first place. And none represents the true essence of that better than the Viper ACR.

The American Club Racing edition Viper rolled out way back in 1999 as a lighter, more powerful, track-focused model. But when the Viper ACR returned in 2008, it did so with an adjustable suspension and aero capable of generating up to 1,000 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. Three years later, the Viper ACR became the fastest street-legal (mass produced) production car at Germany’s famed Nurburgring. And that was the last we heard of Dodge’s destroyer of tracks until 2016.

The latest iteration of the Viper ACR came to market with all-new carbon-fiber aero, specially-built Brembo brakes with carbon-ceramic discs, a 10-way adjustable Bilstein suspension, and one-off Kumho Ecsta V720 ACR tires. Despite that, a privateer’s effort at retaking the Nurburgring record in the new ACR ultimately failed. But it’s still the fastest American, rear-wheel drive, manual transmission car record holder.

With the Dodge Viper once again riding off into the sunset, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see another ACR. Which also makes this low-mile example, which we spotted over at Barrett-Jackson, one of the finest you’ll come across. Viper White with red and black stripes over a black leather and Alcantara interior, it’s also quite the looker. And if nothing else, a fine reminder of a time when Dodge decided to tame its most infamously untameable car!

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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.