Nine Ball
Enthusiast
My Amazing Gen 5 Viper Adventure
When the 5G Viper was unveiled live, I knew at that very moment what desire for a vehicle felt like. I’d seen many other cool cars, but nothing grabbed me like that day when Ralph Giles showed up on the stage with a Stryker Red 2013 Viper. I began plotting my purchase a few minutes after that showing.
I placed my order and deposit on November 12 with Bernie Katz at Tomball Dodge. At the time, they were predicting the first cars would show up before March. I was willing to wait, plus I have a 2006 Viper to keep me occupied already. I really wanted the car before the Hotrod Magazine Power Tour, which wasn’t until June 1st. This would be my 9th “Long-Haul” Power Tour Trip, and I’ve done it in a different vehicle each year.
Fast forward through all the reported delays, and checking the vehicle online tracking site (VOTS) a couple times per day, hoping to get a glimpse of some sort of progress on the build of my Viper. Talk about anxiety, as June quickly approached. My deadline for the event was near, all of a sudden.
Then, it happened, I saw my car go into “D1” Scheduled for Production Status. Then it sat in that phase for over a month. Here is how the rest of the updates played out:
Frame Status began 5/3
Trim Status began 5/7
Final Inspection began 5/16
Shipment 5/21
With the event less than 10 days away, I didn’t want to wait all this time just to get held up by possible delays related to a truck transport. So, I made special arrangements through my dealership and Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP) to take possession of the Viper at the factory in Detroit. My plan was to fly up to Detroit, pick the Viper up, and drive it almost 1,500 miles back to Houston, TX.
And, that is just what I did this past Memorial Day weekend!
My adventure began on a rainy Thursday morning at CAAP, and I brought a local Detroit friend with me to check the factory out. We were greeted by Jen, and introduced to Graham and Doug. We watched some nice videos about the new Viper, learned the shop safety rules, and then stepped out into the arena of magic
.
I’ve toured quite a few vehicle manufacturing plants in my life, just recently I’ve been at Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Corvette plants, so I do have a little expectation of what I’d see. One thing that set this Viper plant apart was all the historic Vipers parked inside the plant, as if they were keeping an eye on the younger generations being built. You could feel a great sense of pride among the employees, who were happy to waive and answer any questions. We were allowed to take photos to share with you, so we took a LOT of them. We walked the assembly line, getting a good look at each station and what was done. It was exciting to see so many Vipers in all of their colors and trim configurations, as I’d only seen the Launch Edition and Red Track package cars in person before that. The CAAP plant was spotless, even the tool carts and floor had a new coat of paint on them. Endless walls of Viper photos, posters, and American flags were present. Good stuff.
Eventually the tour ended up along a row of historic Vipers, and one car under a hidden drape. What a cool presentation! My friend Ken and I got the cameras ready, while Doug and Graham pulled that drape off of my white SRT track pack. It was the first white Viper I’d seen in person, and I knew in an instant that I had made the right color choice. I must have stared at the car a good 5 minutes, from every angle, before Graham reminded me that I could approach it and sit in the car. Awesome. I will never forget this day. Thanks to everyone at CAAP and Tomball Dodge, for making that dream come true!
With a little education on all the fancy electronics behind my belt, I hit the road to go grab some grub in Detroit with a couple buddies. It was a car-themed restaurant, called Vinsetta Garage, located on the historic hodrodder cruise street, Woodward Avenue. I gave the guys some rides up and down Woodward, and we took some nice rolling photos and such. The car commands instant rockstar status, even on hallowed hotrod ground.
I set the navigation for Dayton, OH and got my first leg of the trip in a deluge. The entire time, I wondered if the Pirelli Track Pack tires would be safe in the rain. The answer is yes! Never hydroplaned once, and I grew more confident as the odometer rolled up.
Continued Below...
When the 5G Viper was unveiled live, I knew at that very moment what desire for a vehicle felt like. I’d seen many other cool cars, but nothing grabbed me like that day when Ralph Giles showed up on the stage with a Stryker Red 2013 Viper. I began plotting my purchase a few minutes after that showing.
I placed my order and deposit on November 12 with Bernie Katz at Tomball Dodge. At the time, they were predicting the first cars would show up before March. I was willing to wait, plus I have a 2006 Viper to keep me occupied already. I really wanted the car before the Hotrod Magazine Power Tour, which wasn’t until June 1st. This would be my 9th “Long-Haul” Power Tour Trip, and I’ve done it in a different vehicle each year.
Fast forward through all the reported delays, and checking the vehicle online tracking site (VOTS) a couple times per day, hoping to get a glimpse of some sort of progress on the build of my Viper. Talk about anxiety, as June quickly approached. My deadline for the event was near, all of a sudden.
Then, it happened, I saw my car go into “D1” Scheduled for Production Status. Then it sat in that phase for over a month. Here is how the rest of the updates played out:
Frame Status began 5/3
Trim Status began 5/7
Final Inspection began 5/16
Shipment 5/21
You must be registered for see images attach
With the event less than 10 days away, I didn’t want to wait all this time just to get held up by possible delays related to a truck transport. So, I made special arrangements through my dealership and Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP) to take possession of the Viper at the factory in Detroit. My plan was to fly up to Detroit, pick the Viper up, and drive it almost 1,500 miles back to Houston, TX.
And, that is just what I did this past Memorial Day weekend!
My adventure began on a rainy Thursday morning at CAAP, and I brought a local Detroit friend with me to check the factory out. We were greeted by Jen, and introduced to Graham and Doug. We watched some nice videos about the new Viper, learned the shop safety rules, and then stepped out into the arena of magic
.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
I’ve toured quite a few vehicle manufacturing plants in my life, just recently I’ve been at Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Corvette plants, so I do have a little expectation of what I’d see. One thing that set this Viper plant apart was all the historic Vipers parked inside the plant, as if they were keeping an eye on the younger generations being built. You could feel a great sense of pride among the employees, who were happy to waive and answer any questions. We were allowed to take photos to share with you, so we took a LOT of them. We walked the assembly line, getting a good look at each station and what was done. It was exciting to see so many Vipers in all of their colors and trim configurations, as I’d only seen the Launch Edition and Red Track package cars in person before that. The CAAP plant was spotless, even the tool carts and floor had a new coat of paint on them. Endless walls of Viper photos, posters, and American flags were present. Good stuff.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Eventually the tour ended up along a row of historic Vipers, and one car under a hidden drape. What a cool presentation! My friend Ken and I got the cameras ready, while Doug and Graham pulled that drape off of my white SRT track pack. It was the first white Viper I’d seen in person, and I knew in an instant that I had made the right color choice. I must have stared at the car a good 5 minutes, from every angle, before Graham reminded me that I could approach it and sit in the car. Awesome. I will never forget this day. Thanks to everyone at CAAP and Tomball Dodge, for making that dream come true!
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
With a little education on all the fancy electronics behind my belt, I hit the road to go grab some grub in Detroit with a couple buddies. It was a car-themed restaurant, called Vinsetta Garage, located on the historic hodrodder cruise street, Woodward Avenue. I gave the guys some rides up and down Woodward, and we took some nice rolling photos and such. The car commands instant rockstar status, even on hallowed hotrod ground.
You must be registered for see images attach
I set the navigation for Dayton, OH and got my first leg of the trip in a deluge. The entire time, I wondered if the Pirelli Track Pack tires would be safe in the rain. The answer is yes! Never hydroplaned once, and I grew more confident as the odometer rolled up.
You must be registered for see images attach
Continued Below...
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