When was the Dodge Viper?

The Dodge Viper was first shown as a concept in 1989 and went into production in 1992, with production lasting until 2017. There has been no official revival of the model since then.

Here's a concise chronology of the car’s life—from its bold 1989 concept to its five production generations and eventual discontinuation—plus context about its enduring legacy in American performance.

Origins and Concept

The Viper began life as a bold, high‑performance concept called the RT/10, unveiled in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Dodge framed the car as a modern American alternative to European supercars, built around a front‑mid engine and a V10 powerplant. The concept generated strong interest and laid the groundwork for a formal production program that would push the limits of what a street‑legal American sports car could be.

Generations at a Glance

The Viper evolved through five production generations, each delivering its own design cues and mechanical refinements while staying true to the core formula: a raw, driver‑focused, two‑seat roadster powered by a large V10 engine.

• First generation: 1992–1995 (RT/10 roadster; the original production Viper)


• Second generation: 1996–2002 (SR II; updated styling and performance)


• Third generation: 2003–2007 (new chassis and more power)


• Fourth generation: 2008–2010 (SRT‑10; major redesign with modern updates)


• Fifth generation: 2013–2017 (SRT Viper; final evolution before discontinuation)

These five generations map the arc of the Viper—from its 1990s firebrand practices to its early‑2010s refinements and eventual sunset.

End of Production and Legacy

Dodge officially discontinued the Viper after the 2017 model year, marking the end of a distinctive era for American performance. The car’s legacy endures in its unapologetic focus on speed, simplicity, and driver involvement, inspiring a lasting memory among enthusiasts and influencing high‑performance design in the years that followed.

What the timeline means for enthusiasts

For fans, the Viper’s timeline reads as a story of bold engineering and relentless pursuit of automotive performance. From its 1989 concept to its 1992 debut and its 2017 retirement, the Viper represented a unique American alternative to European supercars, with each generation building on that identity while embracing evolving technology.

Summary

In brief: the Dodge Viper debuted as a concept in 1989, entered production in 1992, and was discontinued after the 2017 model year. Across five generations, it maintained its signature V10 power and a driver‑centric, no‑nonsense ethos that left a lasting mark on American performance cars.

Why did Dodge discontinue the Viper?

Dodge discontinued the Viper in 2017 due to a combination of low sales and the inability to meet new federal safety regulations, primarily Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 226, which requires side-curtain airbags. The Viper's low, tight cabin design made it nearly impossible to install these airbags, and the cost to engineer a redesign was not justifiable given the car's poor sales numbers.
 
Key factors for discontinuation

• Safety regulations: A major obstacle was the lack of space for side-curtain airbags, which became mandatory for new vehicles in 2018. Installing them would have required a significant redesign of the Viper's chassis and cabin. 
• Low sales: Despite its strong performance reputation, the Viper had consistently low sales, making it an unprofitable investment for FCA to redesign for the new safety standards. Sales of the final generation (2013-2017) were particularly disappointing. 
• Cost of redesign: Redesigning the chassis to meet the new safety regulations would have been very expensive, especially since the sales volume wouldn't justify the investment. The cost was deemed too high for a vehicle that was not a high-volume seller. 
• Competition: The arrival of the C7 Corvette and Z06, which was more affordable and almost as quick, put further pressure on Viper sales. 

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How much did a 1999 Dodge Viper cost new?

List prices started at $52,000, but escalated quickly. It was awesome then — a two-seat roadster with an 8-liter V-10 engine that produced 400 horsepower. There were almost no concessions to everyday convenience.

What year did Dodge Vipers come out?

The first Dodge Viper was introduced for the 1992 model year, with production beginning in November 1991. It was first unveiled as a concept car in 1989, debuted as a pace car for the 1991 Indianapolis 500, and went on sale to the public in January 1992. The initial model was the RT/10 roadster, known for its basic features like a removable soft top, vinyl windows, and a powerful 8.0L V10 engine.
 

• Debut: The production version was introduced for the 1992 model year. 
• First sales: It went on sale to the public in January 1992. 
• Body style: The first generation was exclusively a roadster, known as the RT/10. 
• Key features: It was a very basic performance car, lacking features like exterior door handles, airbags, and air conditioning in the initial model. 
• Engine: It was powered by a massive 8.0-liter V10 engine. 

How much is a 1993 Dodge Viper worth today?

The price for a 1993 Dodge Viper varies significantly, but generally ranges from approximately $33,000 to over $80,000 depending on condition, mileage, and history. The original MSRP was around $50,700$ 50 comma 700$50,700, while current used market prices average around $52,000$ 52 comma 000$52,000, with excellent examples commanding prices of $55,000$ 55 comma 000$55,000 and up, and lower-priced ones having significant issues or high mileage.
 
Factors influencing price

• Condition: A well-maintained, low-mileage car will be much more valuable. 
• Mileage: Cars with extremely low mileage, often below 10,000 miles, can fetch premium prices, while higher-mileage examples will be less expensive. 
• History: The vehicle's history, including any accidents or title problems, can drastically lower its value. 
• Market fluctuation: Prices are subject to change based on recent auction sales and current market demand. 

Price ranges

• Average used price: Around $52,196$ 52 comma 196$52,196, according to Autotrader 
• Typical price for a good condition car: Approximately $36,400$ 36 comma 400$36,400, according to Hagerty 
• Highest auction price: Over $80,000$ 80 comma 000$80,000, for rare or exceptionally well-maintained examples 
• Lowest auction price: As low as $33,000$ 33 comma 000$33,000 for cars with maintenance needs, accident history, or title issues