I’d like to introduce you all to One Viper Bite, my newly delivered 2017 1 of 1 GTC (VIN# 822)
Some of you may remember me as the kid who came onto these forums excited to have purchased my very first Viper at the age of 23, a 2013 GTS, only to spend my 8 months of ownership filled with regret and headaches. Part of it was my fault for not doing enough homework and part of it was dishonesty and deception on behalf of the dealer / previous owner that I picked the car up from. Long story short, after trying my best to sort out the issues with the car and give it a good life, FCA bought it back from me. You can ready all about my previous car here, and I have linked other threads with information within that: Bittersweet-Goodbye-FCA-is-buying-back-my-2013-GTS
Well, it was around the time that I was scheduled to surrender the car to FCA that Bill Pemberton reached out to me about giving the Viper and the Viper community another chance. At the same time I began to form friendships with a few people that I met on these forums and on social media. All of these factors made me take the plunge. I submitted my deposit for a 1 of 1 in October right as Gerry Wood Viper placed their order for 160+ Vipers. The order banks were closed and my order didn’t make it in on time. I was devastated. I began shopping around for alternatives but nothing I drove satisfied me, and because I had a bad experience with a used Gen V already, I dared not even look for used Gen Vs. But Bill and his team refused to let me give up hope and assured me that they would do everything in their power to make my 1 of 1 become a reality. To everyone at Woodhouse, especially Bill, THANK YOU. Never have I experienced such a genuine, transparent, and easy purchasing process while purchasing a vehicle. It was as if I was buying the car from my family - you guys are incredible!
Now, on to the build with LOTS of pictures!
COLOR: The color inspiration came from this - a Ferrari F12 TDF that I saw at my local cars and coffee a few months before, painted in the stunning Rosso Fuoco. So I called up Ferrari of Beverly Hills and spent the next few days working with their Rosso Fuoco samples in all kinds of different lighting conditions and surfaces to get the color right. The color has similarities to Stryker Red, and from what Bill and the people at Woodhouse say, they believe it’s the closest anyone has ever come to Stryker Red with a 1 of 1 color. Believe me, it is not Stryker Red. But it might as well be because the color is STUNNING!
Ferrari F12 TDF in Rosso Fuoco
Final color on official speed form
After being in D1 status for over 3 months, finally, painting began!
INTERIOR: I absolutely LOVED the Sepia interior in my 2013 GTS and couldn’t help but think it would make the perfect companion to this exterior color. What I was torn on was whether or not to go with the carbon fiber interior pieces as I had not seen an example in person and I couldn’t find very many examples online or on the forums for Sepia with the CF pieces. After debating for months I called Bill up and told him to add it to my order at the very last minute. I’m happy I did, because it looks incredible in person.
Chassis and Interior Assembly begin...
SPEC: Now, this is where I will likely get some flak. I debated for a while whether or not to for for an ACR-E. But at the end of the day I made the right choice for me. I just love the way the Viper looks without all of the aero. The lines are gorgeous and to be honest, I just don’t really need a track dedicated car in my stable at this point in my life. I wanted a car that would be capable and engaging on track, but comfortable enough and classy looking enough to take out on the streets of Beverly Hills or PCH. I also am personally a fan of the GTS hood and the Venom Wheels over the SRT hood and the Sidewinder IIs. Paired with all the carbon fiber exterior pieces and 1.0 aero, I think it all comes together to make a stunning spec.
Final Assembly and Quality Validation
All in all, I’m blown away and still in shock with this entire experience. It is such a shame that Dodge didn’t market this incredible machine or the 1 of 1 program with a more compelling and aggressive campaign. I really think that it could have changed the landscape of reality for the Viper. But for now, all I can do is be grateful that I own a piece of history along with this amazing community. Can’t wait to build life long memories with this beauty and more importantly, life long friendships. Cheers, and enjoy the final pictures I took the day of delivery below!
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