It is not important to any of us that D-C promote the Viper/Comp Coupe. We are not seeking public approval of the vehicle, and it needs no introduction to racers. I do not need to see it on television, in magazine or on T-shirts at Walmart (those are the venues for lesser cars).
What is needed, however, is a wider and deeper sense that there is an allocated budget, an engineering team and a specific evolutionary plan. I am quite certain that this exists.
There is repeated reference to "keep the faith," and that is critically important. The coupe, unquestionably, was a disappointment, not in terms of looks (since it was somewhat budgetarily predictable), but the disappointment arose because a Comp Coupe style and/or carbon fiber style was anticipated (almost solely because we want it...it was never promised or even hinted).
They sell only 800 coupes next year. Fine by me. They sell 1200 `verts...fine by me. They make 50 VCAs, 200 Copperheads within the 1200. Ideal.
Surplus cars in inventory? Well, there are several factors, chief among which has been the economy. While many are not impacted by the post-9/11 market (job and stock) devastation, it did cut into the dreams of many. Vacation homes went on the market, Mercedes inventories were quite high even at the end of the past two years, and looking out my office window where there were once Jags, Porsches, BMWs, I now see the docs in Honda, Toyota, and Nissan SUVs.
Baby boomers are heading toward retirement and looking at investments. The middle class is taxed to death and job security is quite low. Education does not guarantee employment. And whining is not a treasured commodity.
If a Viper owner or owner-wannabe is driven toward another make because of its launch of a new model, so be it. To many of us, there is simply no comparison; you can make your Viper as fast as you like.
Would it be nice if the factory understood our needs and dreams? They do. (It would be better if we could express these expectancies without hostility toward the company...the Germans are already frustrated because Iraq held free elections... thankfully it is not a French company).
Bottomline: Do people miss the glory days of uncontested supremecy? Without doubt. Does D-C have a specific plan and timeframe for the car called Viper? Without question.
Always remember how the flow of information occurs in America...currently terrorists are on-trial in Spain for conspiring 9/11. How many know that? The prosecutor is asking for 30 years on each count of ******. How many know that? The Spanish judicial system, however, permits a maximum of 40 years. Knew that? Michael Jackson has an upset tummy. Bet you knew that.
All will be revealed in the future. Again, keep the faith.
Alice
