Interesting Info from Conner Avenue Plant

[Hisserman]

The Motor City Viper Owners Chapter toured the Conner Avenue plant last Friday and learned a few interesting things:

The special run of "copperhead" cars will start in mid April. We saw the test panels of the copper color and they looked great! The cars will have special interiors and a special wheel package. The copper looks good with black accents and these will be special cars. Sorry, no pictures allowed at the plant anymore.

Spokesmen verified that the Viper has lost its "halo" status. Management has dictated that all car platforms have to stand on their own business plans and that has hurt funding available for r&d. However, rest assured that a lot of interesting things are under way -- don't worry that Dodge will be satisfied with anything but the top of the heap!

Production of the V-10 continues to be strong. With the demand from the SRT Ram and the marine applications, the engine line is humming.

They guys developing the marine version of the V-10 have been doing some impressive stuff. One of the key features is a new cam that pushes the output to 550 hp and 600 fpt. They've also done some remapping of the fuel injection system. Obviously the marine operating demands are different than needed for a car, but it was suggested we might want to talk to the marine folks. Here's their web site: http://www.ilmor.com/marine/index.html

Production on the new coupe starts in August.

There is a lot of anticipation in the plant hoping that the defunct Prowler line can be retooled to make the Firepower now showing at the auto shows. Built on the same chassis as the Viper, it would certainly help spread the costs and make the whole Viper program stronger overall.

There were LOTS of SRT-10 roadsters standing at the plant. Seems like there might be some deals available late in the year when the coupe is starting to come out . . .

All in all, it's still great to see the pride and workmanship of the team that builds our handcrafted Vipers.

 

[WANTED]

nice post - thanks for all the info , must say a very informative post
without all the speculation - now i wonder if the copper might just be the
first to get the new engine specs as a test run for the new coupe coming out.
i dont know about the rest of ya but it seems to me the new coupe will get the
hp increase ( and to think the viper would not keep up with the rest, maybe
dodge really is listening - i hope so because the new coupe is one awesome
looking car )

 

[29OUTLAW]

They guys developing the marine version of the V-10 have been doing some impressive stuff. One of the key features is a new cam that pushes the output to 550 hp and 600 fpt. They've also done some remapping of the fuel injection system. Obviously the marine operating demands are different than needed for a car, but it was suggested we might want to talk to the marine folks. Here's their web site: http://www.ilmor.com/marine/index.html

Remember that one big difference in a marine environment is that the engine builder does not have to contend with the EPA.

 

[ViperInBlack]

Bruce:

Can you provide more details about the Copperhead:

a. Is the color orange from the current Dodge line?
b. Aside from the stitching, is there any other orange in the vehicle?
c. Are the wheels from the Coupe?
d. Is the build number the traditional "200" or is it less? (more?)
e. Is there special badging?

Additional data appreciated.

 

[MAVERICK]

Bruce,

Great post! Thank you for the information it was very helpful.

Charles

 

[Hisserman]

Can you provide more details about the Copperhead:

a. Is the color orange from the current Dodge line?
b. Aside from the stitching, is there any other orange in the vehicle?
c. Are the wheels from the Coupe?
d. Is the build number the traditional "200" or is it less? (more?)
e. Is there special badging?

Additional data appreciated.

Alice --

a. We weren't able to see any of the other Dodge colors at the same time, but it looked to me that it was a unique color, special to Viper. The color appeared to have more silver in it than the orange tinted versions I have seen on the internet.

b. We weren't able to see the interior -- just were told it was "special".

c. Again, we were't shown the wheels. They were described as "more standard five spoke wheels", so I would guess they are like those on the auto show coupe.

d. They said they would "likely build only 200" (I don't know what variables would change that number, they didn't elaborate -- I would bet on 200).

e. No mention of badging (I forgot to ask).

Now you know all I know!

 

[ViperInBlack]

Bruce:

Thanks so much. I have trouble conceptualizing an Orange Viper. Then again, I had trouble with the concept of a white one...a blue one...or a yellow one.

It sounds as though this is going to be particularly difficult because photos of the orange is not likely to tell anyone how it appears, and since I buy out of State, it is a real dilemma.

Orange could be very unique..or a disaster...if they make it a standard color (they won't) a year later...that is a real disaster. That VCA fiasco with Yellow was very uncool.

Alice

 

[GTS Dean]

That Copperhead Orange is a kick-butt color!

 

[Y2K5SRT]

That VCA fiasco with Yellow was very uncool.

(I couldn't agree more)

 

[C O D Y]

Good post, thanks for the info.

 

[Vic]

fiasco? Yellow doesn't do anything for me, but I didn't know it was a fiasco.

 

[ViperInBlack]

Vic:

Fiasco...implying that the yellow VCA car was going to be unique...then releasing it as a standard production color.

 

[WANTED]

Vic:

Fiasco...implying that the yellow VCA car was going to be unique...then releasing it as a standard production color.

alice he took my seat on the short bus

 

[Fishtail]

Vic:

Fiasco...implying that the yellow VCA car was going to be unique...then releasing it as a standard production color.

Hmmm...but aren't the two very different yellow cars? I know the VCA hood is not the same
Good info thanks.

-lou

 

[ViperInBlack]

Lou:

The best person to ask is Chris Marshall. He and 49 other dutiful VCA members jumped through the requisite hoops to secure a yellow VCA car. It is a cool car. However, if I were them, I would want that color to be unique. It was not unique and became a standard (and good selling) standard color within six months. To my knowledge, the colors are identical.

 

[SylvanSRT]

i will agree w/ you to a point, the car has unique badgeing, stripes and other interior appointments that the regular yellow cars did not have. DCX is just discovering what the corvette guys(at chevy) have know make "limited" editions of badge and sticker specials and some people will flock to own them, at a premium. And they are a boost for the bottom line profit of the car w/ no real investment in engineering or design costs!

 

[ViperInBlack]

Michael:

I am not certain where our positions diverge, but I am simply saying that many (all?) who bought the Yellow VCA car were...er...surprised...when that premium priced edition was then followed by the same color in a standard edition. I speculate that if some had been told that "yellow will be our VCA color this year and a standard color next year," some (many?) would not have opted for the VCA car. It was not merely the badging but the expectancy that the color would be retired.

Reasonably, some have the same concern about the Copperhead. To wit, is this a standard Dodge color and/or will the that orange become a standard color next year.

P.S. These are not one of those Chebby cars.

 

[Joseph Houss]

Please allow me to "defend" the Yellow Fever VCA edition Vipers.

At no time did Dodge suggest that this was going to be an exclusive color. Without getting into manufacturing red tape... it's MUCH easier to investigate/test a color that will be utilized in future vehicles, and considering the "runs" of only 50 vehicles, the more logical way to go (to keep OUR cost down).

What all the lucky owners DID get, was a remarkably unique SRT-10 Viper, the FIRST yellow SRT's to be produced MUCH earlier than the "follow through" non-VCA edition Vipers. as NO SRT-10 (other than our raffle car) has been produced with unique color wheels, or color matched dash, or blacked out hood bulge, and of course, the fun that came with being part of the head of the parade at VOI (and if I'm not mistaken, a free transport of your car to VOI, to enjoy during the week, and a free transport back to your local dealer). Oh, and the stock yellow SRT-10's do not have the embroidered interior as well.

Of course it would have been even better to have a unique color paint ... but all in all, a documented, DIFFERENT vehicle for those that want something special.

Just my humble opinion.

 

[ViperInBlack]

Joe:

I fully appreciate your position on that, but I wonder if the ~50 VCA car purchasers anticipated that this color would, thereafter, become standard production.

Respectfully, there is the matter of expressed versus implied disclosure.

For example, "we are releasing a special run of 50 yellow SRT-10s with special VCA badging and interior appointments."

How many Yellow VCA purchasers interpreted that to mean the special run also applied to the color?

I do not know, but Chris has one, and perhaps he can weigh in on whether he anticipated the future of the yellow car he purchased.

I do know that I passed on two Yellow VCA cars and felt a degree of relief when it was released as a standard color...feeling that "well, it was unique, but not all that unique for the money."

This is only relevant in that the same would be true of the forthcoming orange car; is it a ~200 run of a color that will be standard the following year except for the interior and wheel appointments of this Copperhead?

I likely am missing the bigger picture, but from the standpoint of the purchaser, I feel that uniqueness would/could/should also include color.

 

[Wayne Finch]

Can't wait to see one of these copper babies. Should look awesome

 

[Janni]

What happened to "All Dodge owes us is a car that runs to meet published specifications and has a warranty?"

Is it possible, that after your short tenure as a Viper owner and VCA member, that you feel, as a supporter, enthusiast, customer, flagship car owner, etc., that your ideas would both improve the car and maintain the most rabid owner base in existence???? That your ideas would actually IMPROVE sales for Dodge?

Are you starting to see that this relationship we have - both with Dodge and with our Vipers, isn't "standard", nor is it duplicated anywhere else in the automotive world????

 

[ViperInBlack]

All Dodge owes us is the car for which we paid and the warranty as it is outlined at the time of purchase, basic or extended.

Dodge does not owe us a unique color, badging or any other cosmetic or performance part.

However, when they announce such a vehicle, a more complete disclosure would be helpful. I (and likely Chris Marshall) would have preferred that when the VCA car was announced that it was couched in terms: "Introducing a special VCA Edition in a new (yellow) color for the SRT-10."

The impact of later finding that it was to be a standard production color was difficult for some VCA Edition purchasers.

Do I feel that Viper customers have a unique relationship with the company? Yes, at one time, I believe that was true. I also believe that it has been modified by several internal and exogenous factors which are outside of the control of the customer at this time.

Could I improve Dodge's sales of the Viper. Unquestionably. I have never doubted that and have passed on those ideas. However, this thread was about the Copperhead and is drifting off topic, but I would be willing to invest in a thread that concerns the latter topic.

 

[TedK]

"Introducing a special VCA Edition in a new (yellow) color for the SRT-10."

These days it seems you must pay close attention to what is said or written. The above quote to me introduces yellow as a new color with no promise of exclusivity. Even so, if I were one of the 50, I would be a little miffed. I also selfishly hope that my soon-to-be-delivered Mamba will be the end of silver as stated, but to count on it makes no sense given that DC will do whatever it sees fit to maintain profitability, and thats ok as Alice is correct on what Dodge owes us.

 

[ViperInBlack]

Ted:

Yes, I completely agree: "Introducing a special VCA Edition in a new (yellow) color for the SRT-10." would not, indeed, imply exclusivity to the VCA Edition.

However, that sentence is mine, and, to my knowledge, never appeared in print.

I too would be a bit miffed had I assumed in the absence of that sentence that this was an exclusive color.

But, again, this was only an analogy to the Copperhead. No one is saying at this point that it is a one-time color. No one, at this time, is saying that it is an exclusive color.

The only thing said is that it is orange and has the new wheels. I like the wheels.

 

[29OUTLAW]

Ted:

The only thing said is that it is orange and has the new wheels. I like the wheels.

Has anyone mentioned whether they’ll do something about those red calipers on the copper cars. Red calipers on an “orange” car would be a disaster. They’re already borderline on yellow cars.

 

[Wayne Finch]

Ted:

The only thing said is that it is orange and has the new wheels. I like the wheels.

Has anyone mentioned whether they’ll do something about those red calipers on the copper cars. Red calipers on an “orange” car would be a disaster. They’re already borderline on yellow cars.

Concur..Calipers should be black or copper and I suspect they will be

 

[Y2K5SRT]

The Copperhead sounds cool, as does the possible "exclusivity". Speaking of which, I will add my comments:

With all due respect to Joe, my dealer, SRT, Dodge, and all of DC - the VCA SRT turned out to be a lot less "special" when it was announced that yellow would be a production color for 2005. I suspect there is not a single VCA SRT-10 owner that wasn't disappointed when it became official. Would those 200 White Mamba owners have shelled out the extra coin if they knew white would be a production color that very same production year? Many would have simply waited if that had been the case. Likewise, many of the VCA SRT-10 owners bought the car based solely on the fact that it was yellow - and the implication at the time was that it was the only yellow to come out on the SRT for the foreseeable future. Many of them would have gladly skipped the $5,000 premium to simply buy a yellow car.

Don't get me wrong, everybody loves my car - especially with the fade graphics. However like many Viper owners, I like to purchase cars that will hold their value to some degree. My taste in cars is black, black, or black and I took the plunge on the VCA SRT-10 both for the implied rarity and the hope it would retain its value a little better than most. SRT killed a good portion of that when they announced yellow as a production color one month after everyone took delivery of their VCA SRT-10's. I know I won't buy another "limited" production car from DC unless it is in the exact colors I want to begin with.

Bottom line: The Copperhead sounds like a killer color with the added bonus of the Mamba Edition up front (with different wheels). But you will be rolling the dice if you speculate that it will be a limited edition color. You may luck out and it ends up like the White Mamba, or you may bite the bullet and end up with the same color car as 1500 other Viper owners. Your call.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Course, we do have to remember that there are only 46 of these available in the US, since one went to Japan, two went to Canada, and one went to Switzerland. This tiny number could make this a very sought after car years down the road ( take the barely over 50 ,97 Blue/White RT-10s for instance ). Just a thought, and nothing more -- ponder, ponder, ponder!

 

[ViperInBlack]

Bill:

I can see that this is the thread that never dies...maybe we can interject comparison of the SRT-10 to Gen II cars or, better still, how it compares to the Z0... hmm, better not.

On a more serious note, what I hear Chris saying is that he anticipated as did others that the yellow was exclusive to the VCA Edition.

True there are very few in the U.S., but that speaks to potential resale, it does not speak to uniqueness of the color.

As Chris noted, his preference for either a black, black or black SRT-10 gave way to the yellow car because of the perception that it was a one-time color availability.

I am just relieved that they made no black Vipers before or after the Black Mamba.


oh

 

[KenricGTS]

Yea, I have to agree Y2K5 i thought that this would be a unique color. I would have been a little more happy had the hue of the Yellow even being a little different. I do feel bugged that Dodge did this to a very loyal Viper group. I mean we all steped up and paid a premium for a unique run of 50 cars and like in two months they had Yellow. That plain *****! I'm am just glad they haven't released the Mamba eddition Yellow yet. But all in all I love my car and it is unique. I just wish Dodge would have keep it special for us.