After almost 28 years, my 1993 RT/10 has left the building

[meljr]

Last Friday, on Groundhog Day, I traded my 1993 RT/10 in on a 2023 Jeep JT Gladiator diesel with the HD towing package. Jon B was the first caretaker and I picked it up from Timberline Dodge in Portland, Oregon when Jon got his 96 GTS pace-car replica and matching Dodge Pickup. Who will be the third? It's available from Swanty's CDJR in Bullhead City, Arizona.

Jon had some modifications done including 4 pt. harness, re-gearing and some Shelby American modifications. Carroll Shelby gave Jon the prototype pace-car spoiler prototype which was signed underneath on the driver's side and the glove box door as well.

I blew the third member out at Woodburn Dragstrip and pretzeled the driver side axle shaft. We upgraded to a 2nd Gen Dana Super 44 with stock gearing. I still have the original. One of the modifications Jon made was a Hennessy 8 position DIP switch to correct the speedometer. When I contacted John Hennessy for information on resetting it to stock, he blew me off because I wasn't buying anything from him that day. With the Viper on jack-stands, I reverse engineered the DIP switch without his help.

Here are a few pictures of our journey together.

 

[maverickagm]

There's actually a line item for "Gas Guzzler Tax". That's just plain awesome.

 

[redtanrt10]

Meljr, great post and story, I'm sure you had to be saddened trading your Viper in! 25 years ago I used to call on Martin Swanty when I worked for Chrysler financial. Ran into a local to you dealer this past weekend at the national dealer convention in Vegas and he told me Martin is alive an well. Your Viper isn't listed yet, but their chat salesman said 55K miles and $36995 is their asking price. Surprised in your near 30 years of ownership you never were on the Viper Club site till 2022. Best wishes to you!!

Maverickagm, I'm guessing you haven't seen too many Viper window stickers before?? The last Vipers' (2017) show "Gas Guzzler Tax" of $2600 on the window sticker. Plenty of 2024 vehicles have it too.

Back when this Viper was sold, it was also subject to a vehicle "Luxury Tax" of 10% of the purchase price. That tax started in 1990 and covered cars, boats, furs, etc. In 1993 any car with a price over $30K was subject to that tax. The amount and thresholds changed over the years and it was finally eliminated by 2003

 

[JonB]

Mel: Thanks for the post. "Our" 93 had a great life.... VOI-1 MI, VOI-2 CA, VOI-3 Indy, Molson Indy, and many more events.

If the Viper saw its shadow, you should KEEP it 6 more years!

Proof that an owner can have an active Viper life CLUB-less!

JonB

 

[99RT10GTS]

Very cool story. The 93 is iconic, but the Jeep is a cool vehicle too. I am a multiple Jeep/Viper owner too. When you're ready to get back into a Viper, hit me up. I am selling a few.

 

[George Farris]

Had my late '93 for 11 years then went to a 2002 GTS.

Much nicer car but nothing can ever take the place of that '93 early Viper Ownership.

Had to sell the GTS ... 28 years of Vipers ... a bad hip ended the romance.

140,000 miles on both ...

 

[meljr]

Hi George. Advancing age (I turned 74 the day after trading in the Viper) and extremely advanced arthritis played a major role in the decision to give our Viper's place in the garage to a new Jeep Gladiator Sport Diesel with the HD (6,500 lbs.) towing package. The ~$15,000+ in rebates/discounts on the new Gladiators helped make my decision also. In addition, I wanted to replace my 89 Jeep MJ Comanche that recently found a new home in Hawaii. Unlike my 97 TJ Sahara, 2008 JKUX, and 1989 XJ Cherokee, I won't be lifting or extensively modifying the Gladiator, just doing a little over-landing and towing the wife's resto-mod 1968 Aristocrat Lo-Rider Glamper. I'm also keeping the 2019 Abarth 124 Spider (FIATa) and 4 Triumph Spitfires for now.

 

[JonB]

Ironic that I have also owned 2 Spits and a 124 F-2000

So I KNOW you cant fit in those vs '93 Viper!