A Find from the Past
Although Dodge has long ceased production of new Viper models, brand new, untouched specimens occasionally appear on the market. One such car is now up for sale.
This sports car is located in Alberta, Canada. The owner claims the mileage is only 15 miles. This is not just an ordinary Viper, but a 2009 ACR (American Club Racer) Hardcore version, making the find even more interesting.
A Time Capsule from the Factory
According to an advertisement posted on the Viper Club of America Facebook page, this sports car has never been registered, never undergone a pre-delivery inspection, and appears to have never been driven on public roads.
As one might expect, the original factory protective films are still in place, and the price sticker is still attached to the windshield. This is as close as it gets to the feeling of visiting a Dodge dealership in 2008.
When the car was new, its naturally aspirated 8.4-liter V10 engine produced 600 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque. Due to its age and racing orientation, it lacks many modern driver assistance electronic systems, such as traction or stability control.
Question of Price and Condition
The seller states that since its release, the car has been stored in a climate-controlled facility and is asking $185,000 for it. The original manufacturer’s suggested retail price was just under $115,000. Adjusted for inflation, that amount is equivalent to approximately $174,000 today. The rarity of the car in true museum condition makes this price quite justified.
What is the Hardcore Package?
Even the standard ACR version was an incredibly fast sports car that set track records. The Hardcore package stripped it of its last vestiges of comfort. The air conditioning, radio, speakers, amplifier, trunk carpet, hood sound insulation, and even the tire inflator were removed, shedding 18 kg of weight.
In return, the car received an aerodynamic kit capable of generating up to 450 kg of downforce at a speed of 241 km/h, which is approximately ten times more than a standard Viper SRT-10 at the same speed.
This beast was not created for comfort or daily commuting. It was made for cornering, which also means it is extremely rare.
A Rare Specimen
According to the seller, in 2009 Dodge produced only 245 units of the Viper ACR. Only a small portion of those received the Hardcore package. In other words, this is a very rare, special, and practically new piece of American automotive history.
However, in its current state, the car is likely not ready for public roads. Due to prolonged inactivity, many seals require servicing. Despite this, one can expect someone to quickly purchase it and transport it on a trailer to its destination.
Does this nearly untouched specimen of 8.4-liter V10 power, still wrapped in factory film, tempt you to buy? Such offers are a unique opportunity for collectors. These cars rarely remain on the market for long, transforming from vehicles into investment assets, the value of which often only increases over time, especially when it comes to legendary, limited series with a history of track victories.