I need a history lesson Viper hood

[Viper98]

Hey gang, I need a little history lesson.

As most of us know, the Viper hood was the most expensive automobile part in automotive history at $20,000.00 at least in the beginning.

I trust it is safe to say all G1 hoods cost that. ?
I assume the same for G2 hoods, at least the first few years.

1) Did all G1 '92 - '94 cost 20K? How about '95 and later?
2) G2 hoods are different from G1. How much did G2 hoods cost and for how many years, i.e.: '95-'98?
3) How do the G3/4/5 compare in cost?

I am planning on some type of placard, for car shows, and want to be correct with all history info.

Please, feel free to give any information you can.

Many thanks in advance.

VIPERS RULE

Jer'

[plumcrazy]

call jonB for those answers

[Viper98]

Very good

Thank you sir

[donk_316]

Isn't there an old story about a guy who bought all the left over hoods and then refused to sell them as he thought he was sitting on a gold mine?

[99RT10]

^^^^^^^^#Dave6666^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[steve911]

there is a guy in Dubuque IA that has a bunch too.

[Vprbite]

Hey gang, I need a little history lesson.

As most of us know, the Viper hood was the most expensive automobile part in automotive history at $20,000.00 at least in the beginning.

I trust it is safe to say all G1 hoods cost that. ?
I assume the same for G2 hoods, at least the first few years.

1) Did all G1 '92 - '94 cost 20K? How about '95 and later?
2) G2 hoods are different from G1. How much did G2 hoods cost and for how many years, i.e.: '95-'98?
3) How do the G3/4/5 compare in cost?

I am planning on some type of placard, for car shows, and want to be correct with all history info.

Please, feel free to give any information you can.

Many thanks in advance.

VIPERS RULE

Jer'

Gen III/IV hoods were, I think, about 1500 or something fairly reasonable though availability is tricky last I heard, but autoform makes a good replacement one pretty affordably.

The Gen1/2 hoods were so expensive because aside from the amazing size and shape of fiberglass being produced, as I understand it, only something like 3 out if 5 came out useable, further driving up the cost.

And yes they all cost the same as far as I know, and the change to Gen II was the naca duct. I know some people who put the gen II hood on a gen I for the look. As far as I know they have always been between 17 to 20k. Those "2 way" hinges started out pretty pricey too. A couple grand as I recall. Not sure about now.


Also, at the time it was released. wasn't the main body portion of the GTS the biggest piece of injection molded plastic outside of the space shuttle or something like that? Perhaps someone can confirm.

Good luck!

[02rt10]

call jonB for those answers

Or maybe he/someone can post on here so everyone else can 'learn' a little bit of history...

[ellowviper]

I can't find my notes from "back in the day" but I recall an article in some publication circa mid 1990's that described the GEN-I/II hoods as being produced by the same sub-contractor/company that made F-16 canopies...since the unique design mandated some unique manufacturing techniques used in the aerospace industry. BUT I haven't been able to find anything verifying that claim today. It would be good to prove/disprove that claim today.

[Angleiron]

Cam Sensors!

^^^^^^^^#Dave6666^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[parabs]

Or maybe he/someone can post on here so everyone else can 'learn' a little bit of history...

Don't you mean "hisssstory"?

[AZTVR]

I can't find my notes from "back in the day" but I recall an article in some publication circa mid 1990's that described the GEN-I/II hoods as being produced by the same sub-contractor/company that made F-16 canopies...since the unique design mandated some unique manufacturing techniques used in the aerospace industry. BUT I haven't been able to find anything verifying that claim today. It would be good to prove/disprove that claim today.

I see a couple of references online that Rockwell International built the early Viper hoods; but, don't see any reference to them building canopies for the F16, also known as a "Viper."

[Viper98]

Gosh guys, way to go. It's great to have all this collective knowledge here. Very helpful.

Thank you to all

VIPERS RULE

Jer'

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

I am fighting a vertigo bout, dizzy up close to computer. But since Phil and Kala asked so nicely, here goes some Hisssstory:

The Gen 1 Viper hood tool (mold) was so large and expensive, that to get it from rail yard to factory, the power lines had to be removed and streets closed, all at 11pm-4am on a weekend. The monstrous tool also took a lot of electricity to operate! And quote a few hoods as a % of total production were scrapped as imperfect. Hood prices were artificially high, due to multiple hoods being produced to get good ones, as well as costly operating expenses and materials.

They ended up using and repairing by hand many 'inferior' hoods to keep production running. Yes, many OE new G1 cars had the equivalent of bondo!

The SMC (Sheet-Molded Compound) G 1 hood was made with technology from Rockwell, who also built the Space Shuttle. At the time, the only larger piece of SMC was to be found on the Shuttle itself. Carbon Fibre was about to debut outside fighter jets and SR-71. 1996-2002 hoods were made from RTM (Resin-Transfer-Molding) and then RIM (Resin-Injected-Moldings) in G 3-4, and Carbon Fibre in G5

At their peak, Gen 2 hoods MSRP exceeded $21,000 for about 2 years. Gen 1-2 hoods were priced from $12k-$17k for over 15 years! And there was almost always a shortage and back-order situation from Mopar.

This caused frontal wrecks to be totaled, instead of being rebuilt. And the USED hoods market was both lucratiuve and active back then. We could get $7000-$10000 for a pristine G2 Hood. (Ahhhh, the good-ole-days!)

When the 2007 MY Viper was cancelled, in a late decision, [as well as the Chevy SSR,] Mfr ASC Corp was driven to Bankruptcy. I was the successful bidder to acquire their surplus parts and supplies in the bankruptcy court. QUITE A STORY ITSELF! In that regard, I became very aware of the 'old tooling' availability and issues, and ASC essentially offered to get me the tools for the cost of transporting them!

But the 25+ year ASC plant manager assured me the tools were used up, "shot" and that repair cost would exceed the cost of new, modern tooling, using modern components and technology. He stated flatly that 'these tools will never produce another Viper part." So, obviously, I passed. Duhhh.

[Some other idiots bought them anyway, ignoring the insights that I actually shared! They paid thousands out of their treasury to transport and store for years, and brag about it in their magazine. You can find that 'story' there! Only to liquidate later. I did buy their good parts leftovers then, in a wonderful Karma Lesson.]

Today, Gen 2 hoods are in stock, and dealer net cost is under $2700! But G1 hoods are sold out and discontinued. Their MSRP never got below $8800, and cost $6630.

I hope this helps for now..... Sorry Im a bit too dizzy to dig into books and records for more,

JonB ~~~:<~

[Viper98]

WOW!!!

Jon, thank you very much. A lot of holes are filled in now. Didn't know all that stuff. Just curious: by chance, would you have any pics of any of those things?

It's great to have you, all of you, with us for things like this.

Again, thank you

Be well and have a glorious day.

Jer'

[ViperSRT]

Jon always knows. Many Gen 1 experienced shrinkage of the filler (what Jon called bondo) which ended up looking like chicken feet marks where the paint sunk into the shrinkage area and ultimately cracked near the bottom. Many stories about trying to fix those also.

[ViperSRT]

Jon I appreciate the "some other idiots" comment. Always love it when Chris ends up with the short stick. We had many phone discussions back in that time regarding our friend from Kansas.

[ViperPete]

wow such great info. I love reading about Viper lore.

[Vipernoob]

Great info.

Viper may have most expensive US body panel record. But it doesn't hold a candle to the Italians' pricing.

I believe the rear deck lid of the 05/06 Ford GT may have the Gen 2 hood beat.