SmoknTires
02-23-2015, 06:03 PM
Dick Winkles announced that he is retiring as Chief Engineer of the Viper V-10 at the end of February. Winkles has been with Chrysler for 34 years, and was involved in the development of the Gen I, III, and IV Viper engines. Most recently, he led the development of the Gen V Viper engine, bringing it back to life after the bankruptcy period, and injecting an additional 45 HP into the already fire-breathing 600 HP V-10.
Winkles always joked, "The Viper is just the box that the jewel comes in," since the engine is his baby and the heart of the Viper. In his 34 years at Chrysler, he's seen it change from notepads to iPads, from carbs to fuel injection, and screwdrivers to laptops for making tuning adjustments. But the goal was always the same. MAKE MORE POWER!
Many of you have met Winkles at various Viper events and most notably, at the races while the Viper was racing. Winkles owns an orange Gen IV convertible with the cleanest engine compartment you're likely to find anywhere! A retirement party is planned for mid-March. Watch for a more detailed account of his history and memories with the Viper program in an upcoming issue of Viper Quarterly.
Winkles always joked, "The Viper is just the box that the jewel comes in," since the engine is his baby and the heart of the Viper. In his 34 years at Chrysler, he's seen it change from notepads to iPads, from carbs to fuel injection, and screwdrivers to laptops for making tuning adjustments. But the goal was always the same. MAKE MORE POWER!
Many of you have met Winkles at various Viper events and most notably, at the races while the Viper was racing. Winkles owns an orange Gen IV convertible with the cleanest engine compartment you're likely to find anywhere! A retirement party is planned for mid-March. Watch for a more detailed account of his history and memories with the Viper program in an upcoming issue of Viper Quarterly.