Your best Viper memories over 25 years

[Track Pack]

Owners, dealers, enthusiasts: what are your favorite memories these past 25 years? I will start with mine: I will never forget the 1st time I drove my 2002 FE Viper in 2004. The car exceeded my expectations in every way! Proudest memory: beating 2 Ferraris back to back: yellow 355 then his friend in a red 360, both gave me thumbs up, cool guys. Best event: NVE1 in Detroit, always great hanging with so many Vipers and owners. Best track day: SRT experience at Road America... and of course - the incredible group at MCVO that Rhonda and I have come to know through the years... Yours... Funny? Proud? Cops involved? Celebrities involved? Thx for the memories Viper Nation!

[ViperSRT]

Been around them a long time.
Proudest memory. Watching my 1995 get built at Mack Ave plant. A rare opportunity long before plant tours and pick ups.
Best event. So many to choose from but the one that stands out was Bob Lutz Birthday cruise from Larry Crain's to Bob's house. 100 miles of unadulterated pleasure. Cops must of been paid off as they ignored the variety of Lambos, Ferraris, Vipers and Bob in his Cunningham. Even Keith Crain in a Bentley convertible.
Best celebrity event. Taking Chip Foose for a long ride between grand openings of two Ridemakerz in Michigan.
I won't bring up the speeding ticket in Las Vegas (VOI) at mid triple digits. Ugh! That may have been a most embarrassing also.

[Fatboy 18]

Le mans 2001 Drove my mates Dodge Viper RT/10 into Le mans for the Drivers Parade, as we approached the main square where the cars started off on the podium we were wondering where we were going to park? All of a sudden a Gendarme stepped out into the road in front of us and halted the traffic, he then parted the steel barriers and directed up to park right next to the podium! Brilliant :dude3: We were nothing to do with the Supercar parade, he just gave us free parking. The crowd loved it and we drew some attention from the restaurant opposite We managed to get a table in the upper part of the restaurant overlooking the podium and then found some of the Corvette and Cadillac boys up there with another nice chap called John Tabe who was head of Goodyear tyres racing division!

Later that same weekend we found ourselves in the Playstation Viper hospitality, we had viper jackets on and Viper car keys in our hands, we had a great afternoon drinking Redbull and eating sandwiches all free. After a couple of hours someone came over and asked us who we were? Needless to say we were politely asked to leave! :p

[Red Snake]

One of my father in law's best friends was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few years ago. He told me that he had always wanted to ride in a really fast car but never had the opportunity.

I took him out in my Roe car and terrorized the streets all over town. I really let it loose and ran it hard. We had a blast. He grinned from ear to ear the whole time. When we got back home he told me he was thrilled to check that off his bucket list and that it made his day to put his troubles aside for a brief time. He passed away soon after that ride, but I will never forget it. Easily my best memory in the car.

[Fatboy 18]

Being at le mans 1994 watching the Rent a car RT/10s. then 97,98,99,2000,2001 watching the Viper success.
Driving my Viper GTS on the Top Gear track, Spa and driving the car on track at Le mans Classic, Now that was a Cloud9 moment!

[Fatboy 18]

Reading Red Snakes story also reminded me of this


Taking this guy out for a ride in the car was a very, very special moment
http://www.backbenparkinson.co.uk/backbenparkinson.co.uk/Home_page_Back_Ben_Parkinson.html

Ben went on to carry the Olympic torch through his home town with new legs.

[Kurt]

So many great Viper memories over the years. Seeing Ben and the Viper Exchange GTS-R run at Le Mans in 2015 was easily my most memorable Viper experience. Of course having the opportunity to watch the factory team in 2014 and the GT3-R in 2015 and 2016 in IMSA are also some of my favorites. The Gen V reveal in New York was just amazing, and touring CAAP for the first time was a dream come true. The drives to Detroit and New Orleans for the NVEs were also unforgettable. So many good times related to this car.

[Schen]

Oh man, this thread topic! LOL

There's so many that I could pick from, it's hard to pick just one.

I think personally, the entire Gen V program would be pretty high up there. I missed out on the reveal in NYC and the GTS-R's by a year, but I feel pretty close to the current generation than all the others. Being invited to CAAP by FCA as one of three social media attendees to the ACR production reveal was really cool. I got to mingle with some journalists who's articles I read daily and being able photograph the plant for the first time, that was sweet. Celebrating in Victory Lane with Viper Exchange, Riley Technologies, and the #93 team at Watkins Glen was a highlight! As weird as it sounds, the first Viper I ever drove was the B/W LE Pebble Beach car at VOI 12. Driving with Bryan 3300 miles in his TA to New Orleans and back. There's just a ton, A TON of memories I could list that have evolved friendships and led to growing my own network, meet so many personalities that I look up to, it makes me feel pretty fortunate to attend a lot of events in different regions.

Seeing my first Viper at six years old, that'll stick with me forever. I lost count along time ago, but I've probably been in at least over 50 by now in most of the east coast, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. I'm hoping to add Texas to that list later this year. :)

--RS

[sfm79]

Been around them a long time.
Proudest memory. Watching my 1995 get built at Mack Ave plant. A rare opportunity long before plant tours and pick ups.
Best event. So many to choose from but the one that stands out was Bob Lutz Birthday cruise from Larry Crain's to Bob's house. 100 miles of unadulterated pleasure. Cops must of been paid off as they ignored the variety of Lambos, Ferraris, Vipers and Bob in his Cunningham. Even Keith Crain in a Bentley convertible.
Best celebrity event. Taking Chip Foose for a long ride between grand openings of two Ridemakerz in Michigan.
I won't bring up the speeding ticket in Las Vegas (VOI) at mid triple digits. Ugh! That may have been a most embarrassing also.

That's awesome Ron

[gfviperman]

The first VOI in Detroit ... didn't know what to expect ... it was a dream come true for a dyed-in-the wool Mopar Man.

Also, living in Palm Desert where the only two Vipers in the Coachella Valley were mine and Mr. Iacocca's.

My '93 being the first Viper with push button start ... got the button from a Bentley Continental T ...

Planning VOI 10 with Kim and Fiona at JR Thompson ...

[ViperTim]

Apart from the day I picked up my Viper it must be August last year at a supercar show.
I was invited up on stage with my car to be interviewed infront of all the audience about my car.
That was awesome!

[Ginja]

I've got loads of amazing memories from mine. The convoy of 12 or so going to the Ring from the UK, then the next day spent driving the mountains, being interviewed while driving through a town there and then a couple of hours on the ring itself in front of a huge crowd. Last year driving on the track at Chris Evans Carfest events, again with a huge crowd watching on and getting privileged access in the event. The police escort urging a convoy of Fezza's, Lambos and little me in my Viper down my towns dual carriageway to get us to an event in the town centre on time (that was a fast run!). Multiple times on track at Dunsfold, and especially watching lapsed owner Richard berating Mark (Fatboy18) for having taken half a cars worth of spares to the event - that was aching cheeks funny! (sorry Mark). Being part of an impromptu convoy to a Goodwood breakfast club with an Enzo, Veyron, R8, Vanquish etc. Taking a very disabled young teenage boy out and being able to get him to grunt in pleasure. The guy who got on his knees and gave me the 'we are not worthy' gesture as I drove by. Awesome. The list goes on really. I cannot think of any other way I'd have had so many memories from such a small investment!

[Vprbite]

Some cool stories, thanks for sharing.

I'm coming up on the 5 year anniversary of my wreck and as weird as it sounds, there are so many good memories associated with that. But the crux of it is this. Aside from the Arizona region, people in the club who I had never met or spoken to, all over the country, were reaching out to offer support or help and not a day went by for those 6 weeks I was in the hospital that I didn't receive a phone call, voice mail, or gift from someone in the Viper club. Often times much more than one. Just because they had heard about my wreck and wanted to help. Club members played a huge part in my recovery going so well.

When Jon from partsrack and I designed my custom clutch pedal and it arrived, I called the machinist who made it to pay him and he said I couldn't because Jon had already covered all costs. This is the kind of generosity and caring that makes this club truly special

So it's more than one memory, but it's all condensed into one group of memories as I began my recovery from that wreck and it's why I say there is so much more good than bad about that whole situation. So, I remember all the awesome support when I think about it, not the bad stuff, and that is one hell of a gift that the club gave me.

[Fatboy 18]

I've got loads of amazing memories from mine. The convoy of 12 or so going to the Ring from the UK, then the next day spent driving the mountains, being interviewed while driving through a town there and then a couple of hours on the ring itself in front of a huge crowd. Last year driving on the track at Chris Evans Carfest events, again with a huge crowd watching on and getting privileged access in the event. The police escort urging a convoy of Fezza's, Lambos and little me in my Viper down my towns dual carriageway to get us to an event in the town centre on time (that was a fast run!). Multiple times on track at Dunsfold, and especially watching lapsed owner Richard berating Mark (Fatboy18) for having taken half a cars worth of spares to the event - that was aching cheeks funny! (sorry Mark). Being part of an impromptu convoy to a Goodwood breakfast club with an Enzo, Veyron, R8, Vanquish etc. Taking a very disabled young teenage boy out and being able to get him to grunt in pleasure. The guy who got on his knees and gave me the 'we are not worthy' gesture as I drove by. Awesome. The list goes on really. I cannot think of any other way I'd have had so many memories from such a small investment!

Ha Ha, I had the last laugh later in the day when Richard in his Supercharged Yellow GTS asked to borrow some tools and asked for help draining his catch can :p

[plumcrazy]

2003, gandy road bridge in florida. Racing my buddy in his bone stock 70 hemi cuda, passing him at 150mph like he threw a chute out of the back of his car

[Ginja]

Ha Ha, I had the last laugh later in the day when Richard in his Supercharged Yellow GTS asked to borrow some tools and asked for help draining his catch can :p

Oh yeah, he was burning oil - I'd forgotten that part. That was a fun day!

[Purple Haze]

Nice....


One of my father in law's best friends was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few years ago. He told me that he had always wanted to ride in a really fast car but never had the opportunity.

I took him out in my Roe car and terrorized the streets all over town. I really let it loose and ran it hard. We had a blast. He grinned from ear to ear the whole time. When we got back home he told me he was thrilled to check that off his bucket list and that it made his day to put his troubles aside for a brief time. He passed away soon after that ride, but I will never forget it. Easily my best memory in the car.

[Vprbite]

Reading Red Snakes story also reminded me of this


Taking this guy out for a ride in the car was a very, very special moment
http://www.backbenparkinson.co.uk/backbenparkinson.co.uk/Home_page_Back_Ben_Parkinson.html

Ben went on to carry the Olympic torch through his home town with new legs.


That's cool! I think a lot of special moments, both big and small, have come from sharing the fun of the car with people. I think it amplifies my own enjoyment to get to share it with people.

[BrianACR]

March 28, 2014. The day I brought my '01 ACR home. My whole family knew that I had wanted a Viper since I was 12, and they all knew that it was my dream to own one. I told no one I was getting one.
My wife and I borrowed my dads truck, rented a trailer, and drove over 1,000km round trip to go pick her up and bring her home. On the way back I texted my brother to see if he could come help me unload 'some stuff' from a trailer later that evening. He was free so he agreed to come over. I got him standing behind the trailer as I opened up the back doors. All he could see was the backside of this beautiful yellow GTS. he said two words: "Bloody Hell!!"
There are many other great memories but this is one of my favorites ;)

[drewsss]

The first time that my youngest daughter sat in her booster seat...will never forget that smile!

24258

[drewsss]

March 28, 2014. The day I brought my '01 ACR home. My whole family knew that I had wanted a Viper since I was 12, and they all knew that it was my dream to own one. I told no one I was getting one.
My wife and I borrowed my dads truck, rented a trailer, and drove over 1,000km round trip to go pick her up and bring her home. On the way back I texted my brother to see if he could come help me unload 'some stuff' from a trailer later that evening. He was free so he agreed to come over. I got him standing behind the trailer as I opened up the back doors. All he could see was the backside of this beautiful yellow GTS. he said two words: "Bloody Hell!!"
There are many other great memories but this is one of my favorites ;)

Yes...bringing home an '01 ACR is a memorable experience (from one who also knows :witless:)

[Vprbite]

Cool stories, please keep sharing. That's what makes this club so amazing

[BrianACR]

Yes...bringing home an '01 ACR is a memorable experience (from one who also knows :witless:)

Especially when it's a yellow one :cool:
PS Nice fuel cap

[Fatboy 18]

OK, Im going to throw up another one, ........

Being a member of the Viper community on the forums and making new friends even though I have never met many of you. The help on the forums has been Awesome.
Chuck tator, Jon B, Autoform Steve, Bill P, CJ, Life is Good, Plum and many others, Yes even Dave6666, Jeff, Mopar Boy...Who? Chad??
Seriously, Thanks guys

[Track Pack]

I remember driving my red/white GTS through my first large car cruise and a teenager ran out into traffic, got on his knees in the middle of Fort St. and did the wrong "we're not worthy thing" bowing in front of the car and the crowd all cheered him on

[BlknBlu]

My first experience with a Viper was in the form of a brand new Viper truck regular cab in 2005 and thought I hit the pinnacle of Mopar vehicles for me. 2 years later I purchased an 07 SRT PC Charger with 1 delivered mile on it. enjoyed these 2 vehicles for a while and decided I needed a viper. Was working with a good friend of mine Lee Brown on sorting out a nice used example for me. As time passed I nudged him a little but knew the Ram and Charger would have to go. I get a call from Lee to come visit him in Lincoln and states he may have what I was looking for. I drive the 45 miles to see what he has. He meets me in the showroom and I am anxious to see what used Viper he has. he tells me to turn around and says, we are getting you into this car. My jaw drops to the ground and there is no way I would be getting a new 2008 Coupe and in the colors of my dreams. It was like the car was designed for me.
http://highimpactperformance.org/sitebuilder/images/Viper_c-538x400.png

We start crunching the numbers and he really helped me to get what I wanted on a budget at the time. The trade in on my cars was very fair. I am not sure I even slept for the next week knowing what was sitting in my garage. It is also this same memory that got me interested in the Viper club and long term to start our own region. It will go down as one of my most memorable moments ever.

Bruce

[Drummerviper]

25 years! Reminds me that I can put antique plates on my 92. Amazing.

[F2V]

I crashed my 09 at 1500 miles, doing $52k in damage and was doing only 35MPH

[Drummerviper]

Here is one of my many great Viper moments.

[SnaakeBit]

I crashed my 09 at 1500 miles, doing $52k in damage and was doing only 35MPH


I believe the title of this thread was "your BEST Viper memories". :witless:

[Patentlaw]

Driving down to Maryland for the Crab festival in Stevensville. About 70 vipers showing up just to have lunch. Sitting out.....having great food.

[Rare Snake]

My family all thought I was crazy when I bought my first Viper. But they were hysterical when they came over for Easter a few years later to find a bright red GTS had found a new home too. I still can't believe I gave them both up, but that was another emotional memory when the trailer dropped off a brand new one in the middle of winter.

I've had a lot of amazing firsts through these cars, from my first time meeting up with a Viper club to the first big race event I've ever gone to, just last summer.

These cars always bring out the crazy in people, so you never know what will happen next. I look forward to it every summer.

Dason

[GuitarSteve2112]

Any encounter with a Viper is a best memory for me. Too many to list.

[Goatman]

I'm on my 3rd Viper, Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 1 again. I have quite a few great events remembered from meeting Maurice Lang, Ben Keating, and seeing the Rauhs collection. I have many more great memories with my loved ones like replacing my radiator in my Gen 2 with my daughter, and painting my hood pad with my father.

But over all my most cherished night in a Viper was the first time my wife and I took my first Viper out on a date. We dressed up semi fancy, drove to a great restaurant in the middle of nowhere. I was still new and very protective of my Viper, so when we parked, I took the time to put the roof and windows on and lock it up before leaving it alone. The looks on peoples faces when I took the windows out of the trunk was priceless. We ate a great meal, got back out to the Viper, I took off the windows and roof, and placed them in the trunk. It was beautiful outside so we took the long way home. We drove about 45 minutes into the countryside to stretch its legs. Out of no where rain dropped from the sky. We freaked out and were frantically looking for an overpass, gas station, anything for cover. This is also when I figured out that if you go faster, although not safer, less water gets in the car. After a few miles we found a gas station with an awning we could park under. We sat under the lights of the gas station in our wet clothes and just laughed. It was a magical night.

[Gavm360]

Got my '01 GTS in '07, In June '08 drove it from New York to California, through Chicago to pickup a buddy then thru Denver, Vegas etc. 14 day total trip. Wild. Viper performed flawlessly other than a dead battery. Can't be recreated.

[Redx]

Picking my gen 4 up for the first time in 2013, gunned it at the first intersection, ended up doing a complete 180, understanding the stigma of the car in the first 5 minutes lol.

[BrianACR]

Picking my gen 4 up for the first time in 2013, gunned it at the first intersection, ended up doing a complete 180, understanding the stigma of the car in the first 5 minutes lol.

Haha too funny!!
Another great memory: One of the first times I ever took my Viper to the car wash. I had my boy with me, he was 7 at the time. I come out and am turning left onto the road. there was traffic coming so I gave it a bit more throttle than I normally would, but not a whole lot more. Wet tires, kick the throttle. I went right sideways! Of course my boy is grinning ear to ear thinkin it's so much fun! Then he pipes up "I'm telling mommy all about this when we get home!!"

[13COBRA]

I grew up around Vipers. My dad used to be very active in the Kansas City Viper Club, along with several of his buddies. By the time I was 10, my dad had owned several. Drove my first one at 16. It was a 2001 GTS, got hooked. He got out when he purchased his first of 3 FGT's.

I picked up my ACR in November of 2015, and when the trailer opened up and I saw it for the first time I knew I made the right choice. Taking it to the track for the first time in a little over 2 weeks, and can't wait!

The Viper community is a lot different than other car groups I've been around. I don't know if it's that you guys are all old or what (jokingly), but you guys are much more respectful and courteous to each other. I have definitely enjoyed this forum; I hope to make it to some Viper events in the near future and hopefully meet up with some of you.

[Blue96GTS]

Doing donuts in the Viper on a lazy Sunday afternoon in a high school parking lot with a Marine Corps buddy. After a clockwise session (gotta practice both ways...), I came to a stop facing the entrance of the parking lot and officer-friendly approaching.

Figuring I was busted, I shut down the car and put my hands at noon on the wheel. Painstakingly he made his way toward us doing the posted 5 mph, and even coming to a full stop for the one stop sign between the entrance and myself... Big-ass parking lot, no one around...

As he rolled up next to us and rolled down his window, he only had one comment: "Dont let me stop your fun".

Nervous as I was, I couldn't very well disobey a direct order, so... Back to donuts in the Viper with the cops watching!

[Vprbite]

I grew up a round Vipers. My dad used to be very active in the Kansas City Viper Club, along with several of his buddies. By the time I was 10, my dad had owned several. Drove my first one at 16. It was a 2001 GTS, got hooked. He got out when he purchased his first of 3 FGT's.

I picked up my ACR in November of 2015, and when the trailer opened up and I saw it for the first time I knew I made the right choice. Taking it to the track for the first time in a little over 2 weeks, and can't wait!

The Viper community is a lot different than other car groups I've been around. I don't know if it's that you guys are all old or what (jokingly), but you guys are much more respectful and courteous to each other. I have definitely enjoyed this forum; I hope to make it to some Viper events in the near future and hopefully meet up with some of you.

Fantastic group of people here. You got that right. I've been fortunate to be around a lot of nice cars (used to own body shops) and I never saw a community like this one.

[BrianACR]

Doing donuts in the Viper on a lazy Sunday afternoon in a high school parking lot with a Marine Corps buddy. After a clockwise session (gotta practice both ways...), I came to a stop facing the entrance of the parking lot and officer-friendly approaching.

Figuring I was busted, I shut down the car and put my hands at noon on the wheel. Painstakingly he made his way toward us doing the posted 5 mph, and even coming to a full stop for the one stop sign between the entrance and myself... Big-ass parking lot, no one around...

As he rolled up next to us and rolled down his window, he only had one comment: "Dont let me stop your fun".

Nervous as I was, I couldn't very well disobey a direct order, so... Back to donuts in the Viper with the cops watching!

Haha that's awesome! You didn't offer him a ride too??