Viper - Book Review

The Making of a Legend

By Matt Stone

The Dodge Viper concept that debuted at the 1989 Detroit auto show wasn’t destined for the streets, but overwhelming public and media attention urged Chrysler to rush their phenomenon into production. Inspired by the iconic 1960s Shelby Cobra and boasting a mighty V10 engine, the Viper is still an automotive legend seventeen years and two generations later. Written by Motor Trend executive editor Matt Stone, “Viper” documents the venerable Dodge super car’s history from auto show prototype to today’s 510-horsepower SRT10. The book tells the story of Team Viper’s “four fathers” including then-Chrysler chief Bob Lutz and Cobra creator Carroll Shelby, who brought the road-worthy snake to life. Although packed with details highlighting the car’s design and technological evolutions, the photo-filled tome also shares plenty of interesting trivia, from the Viper’s many racing accomplishments to its starring role on the short-lived cable TV show “Viper.” Stone also points out how influential the car was to Dodge: the Viper-inspired cross bar grille and performance-oriented attitude established a much-needed identity for the division and are now found on all of the brand’s models. This glossy paperback would make a welcome addition to any gearhead’s library.

Read our review of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe