Here is a VIN decoder from the 2006 Service Manual...noting that SEVERAL THINGS ARE DIFFERENT for earlirt Generations:
"CODE BREAKDOWN
POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION
1 Country of Origin 1 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler Corporation
2 Make B = Dodge
3 Vehicle Type 3 = Passenger Car
4 Passenger Safety J = Restraint System Air Bags Front Next Generation
Multi-Stage
5 Car Line Z = ZB/SRT-10 passenger car
6 Series 6 = Sport 6 Transmission
C= 6 Speed Manual
7 Body Style 5 = 2 Door Convertible
9 = Coupe SRT-10
8 Engine Z = 8.3L V10 Cyl. SFI Gasoline
9 Check Digit 0 through 9 or X
10 Model Year 6 = 2006
11 Assembly Plant V = Conner Ave. Assembly
12 through 17 Sequence Number 6 digit number assigned by assembly plant.
VIN CHECK DIGIT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To protect the consumer from theft and possible
fraud the manufacturer is required to include a
Check Digit at the ninth position of the Vehicle Identification
Number. The check digit is used by the
manufacturer and government agencies to verify the
authenticity of the vehicle and official documentation.
The formula to use the check digit is not
released to the general public.
VEHICLE CERTIFICATION
LABEL
DESCRIPTION
A vehicle certification label is attached to the rear
shutface of the driver’s door (Fig. 4). This label indicates
date of manufacture (month and year), Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) front, Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) rear and the Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN). The Month, Day and Hour of manufacture is
also included.
All communications or inquiries regarding the
vehicle should include the Month-Day-Hour and
Vehicle Identification Number."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, from Maurice Liang's book "Viper Buyer's Guide"
the 4th digit can be "E" for active driver and passenger airbags...or "B" for manual seatbelts
the 7th digit for body style can be "9" for coupe or "5" for roadster
the 8th digit for engine can be "E" for the 8.0 liter V-10
the 10th digit for model year can be: "N" for 1992, "P" for 93, up through "Z" for 2002...noting that the letters "O" and "Q" wetre not used for dated. Starting in 2003, the date code designator became: "3" for 2003 and up to "9" for 2009, and "A" for 2010...with NO 2007, 2011, or 2012 models being produced. By 2014, this digit became "S" by my memory.
SOOOOOOOOO...the VIN has value...but NOT what you were hoping for I'm sure.
Also, VIN sequence does not match build sequence or dates...AND, Prowlers shared the line and VIN system while being produced !!
I do HOPE your research warned you of the number of wrecked Vipers, Gen I headgasket issues, etc.
ALWAYS budget a couple of thousand dollars for fluids and gaskets at a minimum...AND, aboue two more thousand dollars if the tires are old.
Gen I Vipers are a BLAST to drive...and, quite good looking in my opinion.
DISCLAIMER: If I have made errors in the VIN decoding text above....PLEASE correct me !!
P.S. Feel free to call me (or, send me your number in an email) if you have specific questions.