Autoform Vipers from the 90's and early 2000's

[klamathpro]

Rather than continuing to hijack the previous thread (http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/656462-Whats-this-(one-of-a-kind)-GTS-worth), I decided to show you all these pics I acquired from Autoform and give you a little history lesson. Before I actually purchased my 94' back in 2006, I was this close to actually buying the one-off white speedster in the pics from a guy in Florida, which is why I knew it was a one-off from talking with the owner, but I didn't know what it was at the time. I hear the car is still in Florida.

[FONT=&amp]I learned a few things about the history of these cars through email with Steve at Autoform. The pictures of the Yellow 01 car is actually the RT version that Autoform did and it featured a custom removable hardtop. Steve Dreyer built this car with Roy Sjioberg from Chrysler. They planned on offering these cars as a race version for the VRL (where they raced and did all of the Trackside support in those days) that would be sold as a part number through Mopar. They did 8 of this style car. Steve took the project to Chrysler and they thought it was a good idea and came up with the Competition Coupe, and the story goes that Chrysler left them hanging.
[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Steve did the Street Coupe with Ron Adee using the front end off the race car and changed the tail to work with the coupe. After one lap in the car, a few guys want them to do the conversion on their street cars. (Red Car)[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]During that time they also did the 9 Daytona cars with Woodhouse.[/FONT]

If you look at some of the pics, remembering that these were made in 99' and early 2000's before the Gen3 Coupe, you'll see some styling cues that were taken and used in the Comp Coupe, Gen3 Coupe and even GenV GTS-R. I particularly like the last pic, I see a lot of GEN3 Comp Coup in that.

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[MoparBoyy]

i dig em.

 

[*fill-up*]

I personally love the way it looks, really wish there was a bigger market for them or else I would buy it!

 

[Cobraken]

Having owned a Daytona24, I am a fan of Autoform. 2002 FE #270 & #007 of 9 Daytona24s (only one with 19" Forgeline VR-1 wheels).

 

[Viper98912]

Excellent craftsmanship

 

[flatblack]

I really like the looks of these. Too bad they didnt take off better and more were produced

 

[MTGTS]

Man I want one of those Daytona cars

 

[jdeft1]

I digg... Thanks for posting.

 

[Fatboy 18]

Great thread, lets see more pics, I did not know Autoform did so many variations of the front nose!

I also wonder if Dodge were taking note of the Autoform designs which then influenced the Gen 3 side profile?

 

[slitherv10]

With the new Generation of Kids into the new tuner cars, I see alot more interest in Custom cars than stock counterparts.

I purchased an almost complete Daytona Package (minus the diffuser and rolbar) from Steve at Autoform and the attention the car gets is like no other.

Watching Barrett Jackson in the last few years, it looks like the custom cars are taking over the market. There are still alot of die hard stock car buyers/baby boomers out there ,but they are slowly dwindling away as age and other factors are coming into play.

I see some threads on here with people wanted to know what a car is worth with a wing or body package on it, and most start to cut it up as a moded ricer etc...I think if its tastefully done, its worth more on the market right now or, in the very near future than a stock car. Esp with engine and aerodynamic work. Just my opinion. I do own one of both and when I take out the Daytona car...watch out!! It turns heads like no other.

If you get a chance to visit Steves place in Holland Michigan, do so. Its full of history and knowledge in the air and as clean as they come. I am still looking forward to adding the diffuser and maybe some other parts through Autoform as soon as I have the time to do so. I am also sure, that Steve will be experimenting on some versions for the new car in the future. His mind is quiet intriguing if you sit with him and he tells you the stories.

With SRT just starting to build its reputation and design, I would get this guy on board with this new car in any way or form they can to utilize his skill and experience in his field.

Thanks Steve for the great work on my car !!

 

[DrumrBoy]

Thanks for the history and pix. Funny how on the other thread, folks seemed to jump on the that-looks-like-crap bandwagon......yet in this thread folks appreciate the provenance and design cues of these cars. The difference is the information (and maybe a different readership - I didn't check). I like 'em.

 

[GTS Bruce]

My car looks like the red 91 car. I have the autoform daytona nose,splitter. Lemans rear wing and diffuser.sapphire blue no stripes. Most prefer it to a gen 4 acr.gonna sell it and get a gen v.

 

[FRC Z51]

Thanks for the history and pix. Funny how on the other thread, folks seemed to jump on the that-looks-like-crap bandwagon......yet in this thread folks appreciate the provenance and design cues of these cars. The difference is the information (and maybe a different readership - I didn't check). I like 'em.

My thoughts exactly. There is a much bigger story involved with most of these cars including a plethora of mods underneath those body panels. The other thread was a little vague and simply based on a couple of pictures, lacking all information about how the car was modified, yet people seem to think they can place a value on it?

 

[Fatboy 18]

Personally I think the Gen 2 GTS shape could not get any better, when I saw the pics on the other thread of the side view, the curve on the rear of the clam-shell hood had been replaced with what looked like the Gen 3 side panels Thats one of the biggest things I dislike about the Later Gen Vipers!

Thank god the Gen 5 has now reverted to a curve

What is interesting about this thread is the years in which these cars were modified, that makes a big difference

 

[Camfab]

It's still Corvette Summer to me............................. and I agree with this ^

 

[0209 CLK]

Thanks for the history and pix. Funny how on the other thread, folks seemed to jump on the that-looks-like-crap bandwagon......yet in this thread folks appreciate the provenance and design cues of these cars. The difference is the information (and maybe a different readership - I didn't check). I like 'em.

Bandwagons...

 

[InjectTheVenom]

Looks like SRT took a few of the lines we see in some of the pictures for the gen 5, look at one of the hoods and the RT hardtop to be specific.