First, last, or something in between ?
I'm not expert but I wouldn't think the last generation. They are the least 'viperish' IMHO. I have driven earlier vipers but not the latest so maybe that gives even less credibility to my answer. The newer vipers have all the electronics, etc... that earlier vipers didn't. Those were what made vipers unique to me. Plus the styling of the newest models isn't as good looking to me. If I was to guess, I would say maybe the gen 2 GTS/ACR or the gen 4 ACR. Well, those are the ones I would want the most.
20 years from now what will people value, these will not be regular use cars.. Latest Ta or ACR. ACR because its just so exptreme TA because it blends street useability with track ability. ACR will be the collector piece shown on lawn. TA you will be able to still drive like on rally. Some of the earlier ones, the first bodystyle convertible and as someone said 97GTS for stylign and history..
I wish I knew the answer. I have owned two Vipers. I had a 2009 and It was Viper-ish as one poster said. The chassis was nervous and it was not a car that gave the driver confidence. In my opinion it was not a great car. It was a good car and reliable. My 2013 Viper is a much different and a better car. It has more HP at a honest 640 horses. It is a proper handling sports car while still being a beast. I personally like the physical appearance of the older Vipers better. The newer cars have been softened but all are beautiful cars. The newer Vipers handle and perform very well. I am no longer burned by the exhaust both while in the car and getting out of it. Which car variation will collectors want? I guess the answer is each collector will choose and all cars will be chosen by one collector or the other. Personally, I drive all of the cars regularly in my collection so I choose the most drive-able and fun. In my view that is the newer cars. I now have two cars that have companies no longer in existence, Mosler and soon Viper. I am reminded of something Jay Leno said that makes a lot of sense to me. I roughly quote Mr. LENO : "If you buy a car you like and it goes up in value, great! If it does not you still have a car that you like". This always made sense to me. Best Lee
Hoping a 2016 ACR non-Extreme. The TA version would be much more streetable but it would hard to pass on the ACR.
I'd say the 1998 Viper GTS-R. Only 100 were made celebrating the win at Lemans in the FIA GT2. Truly rare and collectible.
Rented a red/white stripe one in Vegas about then. Fun, but the motor was very truckish, and ran out of steam above 5,000 rpm. Didn't like the high and huge center console either. It was a fun couple of days playing with it. Image Unavailable, Please Login
96 GTS, first year of the coupe (blue with white stripes). the 20th anniversary of it is next year. bought mine in 2000 with 1200 miles on it. now it has 4400 miles. all stock and not a scratch on it.
I suspect the very short run of 96 GTS would be first then slightly less the 97 both in the blue with white stripe .. I bought mine new in 97 and still have it and will keep it.. I really don't drive it much (rarely) it has about 8000 miles on it and I just like looking at it and sitting in it occasionally used to pick my 29 year old daughter up after school all the time when she was around 11 or so...lots of fun..
There were some preproduction cars that were loaned to auto shop teachers for use in their schools. There were later recalled by the manufacturer and crushed. I've heard that not all of them went back. This will be the most collectable Viper. I'm a huge Corvette fan but I won't be finished buying cars until I've got a Viper. I'll be after one of the last generation cars.
Individual cars w/unique provenance might lead the way - the Oreca GT-3's, for example? Production wise, the '92, '96-'97 Blue/White coupes - think there's a rare blue roadster also, GT-2 (GTS-R commemorative road car), the last ACR and likely the current ACR (looks to be kinda savage) ... they're all pretty cool!
96 Blue with white stripes. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I agree with everyone saying the 96-02 cars will be the ones to have. The 03 and newer cars have been chasing the demand of consumers since the body style change.
Easily the most collectable. Also, had many special features and extras (photos of it being built, numbered car cover,special racing belts, unique wing, etc.)
Competition coupes are probably also quite collectible, if you don't mind not being able to drive them on the street.
The PMUM Comp Coupe that scored the first win (at Laguna Seca) would be a cool one. Peter Brock pics ... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login