How many 1992 Dodge Vipers were made?
Approximately 501 Dodge Viper RT/10s were produced for the 1992 model year, making the first-generation Viper a rare collectible from the outset.
The figure comes from production records and automotive histories that cover the initial year of Dodge’s Viper program. This article explains the production context, the commonly cited total, and how it fits into the model’s early history.
Origins of the 1992 Viper RT/10
The 1992 Viper RT/10 marked Dodge’s return to extreme performance roadsters. Built as a limited-run, hand-assembled car, it debuted the Viper name and a purpose-built, 8.0-liter V10. Production took place at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan, and the model served as a springboard for subsequent generations.
Development timeline
After a string of concepts and show cars in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dodge began limited production of the RT/10 in 1992. The car’s purpose was to test market demand for a high-horsepower, no-frills American sports car, paving the way for the broader Gen I lineup that followed.
Official production figures
Before listing the numbers, it’s important to note that Dodge did not publish an official annual total for 1992 in modern press materials. Automotive historians and factory records converge on a figure around the mid-500s, with a commonly cited total of about 501 units for the 1992 RT/10 run. Some sources list 502, reflecting counting nuances such as pre-production units and documentation variances.
- Model: RT/10 roadster (the first-generation Viper)
- Plant: Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, Detroit, Michigan
- Estimated total produced in 1992: around 501 units (with occasional citations of 502)
- MSRP at launch: approximately $52,000
- Powertrain: 8.0-liter V10 engine, roughly 400 horsepower
These numbers underscore the Viper’s deliberately limited rollout as Dodge tested demand before ramping up production in later years.
Impact within the Viper lineup
The scarcity of the 1992 RT/10 contributed to its enduring appeal among collectors and enthusiasts. While subsequent model years expanded production and refined the design, the 1992 run remains the cornerstone of the Viper’s mythos as an American performance icon.
Summary
The 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 is widely cited as having about 501 units produced, making it a rare early example of Dodge’s high-horsepower roadster. While some sources cite 502 due to counting nuances, the consensus centers on a figure near half a thousand for its inaugural year.
