I ve been trying to find my family s 96 GTS for 8 years

[Corifto]

In 1998, my grandfather bought my grandmother a 1996 Dodge Viper GTS in Blue/White from a dealership in Delray Beach. It had 200 miles on it. My grandfather passed in 2004, and the Viper sat. After he passed, my grandmother told me it was in her will to me, as my grandfather would want me to have it. In 2008, although my grandmother initially had it in her will, she had me help her sell it in order to fuel her gambling. The Viper was one of many things that was sold for gambling after my grandfather passed, but that's neither here nor there.

I want to find the car, just to keep tabs on it should I ever have the means to get it back.


The rumor is that it was sold via ebay to someone in Kentucky. When it sold in 2008/9, it had I believe 1,543 miles on it give or take. As of my last search, a year or two ago, a Carfax showed that it had not been registered since my grandmother last renewed it in Florida.


1B3ER69EXTV200972 is the VIN, I've kept it as a contact in my phone all these years. The car was in great shape, there was a trickle charger installed on the left fender well area, a small driver bolster wear, and there was a small scratch over the rear passenger fender. If it's still in there, there was a clear no smoking plug in the cigar lighter port.

[Boosted Motorsports]

Hopefully you find it!

Question though. If you say you helped her sell it in 2008, don't you know who bought it?

[Corifto]

I helped her clean it and list it, but ultimately she sold it after I moved out and I didn't know it had sold until my uncle told me. I have since posted in the largest facebook groups, I check Vins on ebay and other sales sites often.

[Black Adder]

Carfax ?..

[Corifto]

As mentioned above ive done Carfax and it was last registered by grandmother in 2007 or 2008. It seems whoever bought it hasnt registered it, leading me to believe its a collector or something of that nature.

[plumcrazy]

a dealer might be able to help let you know if its been in a dealership for repair work

[commandomatt]

If you know someone in the PD, they may be able to pull the vin.

[Bill Pemberton]

Since you just posted and we don't really have any idea who you are or if this is legit ( not to mention privacy laws ), I will at least state that records show as a one owner, last registered in Florida in 2009 and no recent service records.

No service , no registration , that is also a chance the car was sold overseas.

[Corifto]

If you know someone in the PD, they may be able to pull the vin.

I work in LE but that stuff is so monitored and audited I won't risk my job for it. We lose ~10 people a year to misuse of FCIC/NCIC as well as D.A.V.I.D. which is essentially the driver DHSMV database.

Since you just posted and we don't really have any idea who you are or if this is legit ( not to mention privacy laws ), I will at least state that records show as a one owner, last registered in Florida in 2009 and no recent service records.

No service , no registration , that is also a chance the car was sold overseas.

Thank you. If needed the best proof I can think of is pictures of me with the car from when I was 9 and again at 17, but I understand your concern. Overseas is an option I hadn't thought of, but I suppose the possibility is definitely there, especially with the mileage being so low.


This car just means a lot to me. I don't care so much about the car as I do the sentimental value behind it. My grandfather and I used to take it to the car shows and it as one of our favorite experiences together.

[Steve-Indy]

Carfax today merely confirms no reports since July 2009.

While I have no answer to your quest...I can think of a couple of things to try "in your neck of the woods".

Give me a call if you like.

[Corifto]

Thank you to all who tried to help. I received a phone call this morning from an admin of Viper Club of America, telling me she has found it. I've been put in touch with the current owner. I can't tell you how that phone call made me feel, but I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone that tried to help me. I've been hunting for this car on and off for the better part of a decade.

Again, thank you so much.

[repiV]

That's really cool!! Is it in the U.S.? I'm just curious why CarFax shows that they haven't registered it. Is it still showing registered to your family in the U.S.??

[Corifto]

It's in the US. I spoke to the owner on the phone tonight for 30 minutes. He is a collector, and I believe the perfect owner for the car. Even if I never get it back, the car is in great hands, and knowing where it is gives me a feeling of joy.

[plumcrazy]

It's in the US. I spoke to the owner on the phone tonight for 30 minutes. He is a collector, and I believe the perfect owner for the car. Even if I never get it back, the car is in great hands, and knowing where it is gives me a feeling of joy.

and THIS post gives ME joy...

[Corifto]

I'm glad I can share some of it. We are now friends on Facebook and have been sharing stories of the car and I shared with him decade old pictures of me with the car when I first saw it in person. I've had a few questions in my adult life, and have been lucky enough to answer the two biggest. Last year I met my father for the first time, at 26 years old. And today I found the Viper. Those puzzle pieces have been found and it brings such relief.

[AZTVR]

Isn't it funny how that one special car can affect one's life so much. It seems to be hardwired into many of us.

[daveg]

If you are able to afford a 96 B/W at some point in time and I hope you can, If that car isn't available you can always pick up a different one. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face and bring back fond memories.... I know mine does...

[BrianACR]

Wow that is so cool to hear that you found it!! Reading this thread and then hearing that you found that car put a smile on my face. It's amazing the memories that are brought back to life when something like this happens.

[harley56]

I'm glad I can share some of it. We are now friends on Facebook and have been sharing stories of the car and I shared with him decade old pictures of me with the car when I first saw it in person. I've had a few questions in my adult life, and have been lucky enough to answer the two biggest. Last year I met my father for the first time, at 26 years old. And today I found the Viper. Those puzzle pieces have been found and it brings such relief.

Congrats! Very happy for you.