The First Viper? (pretty neat)

[Jay Herbert]

As you can imagine, I get a lot of email, this one is too cool not to pass along:

I came across your site by chance on the web. I wondered if you were interested in what I imagine was the first motor car to be called a Viper. Here are a couple of pictures:

My grandfather is sitting in the left hand seat. This was a car that they raced and with which they attempted the world speed record. They did not get it. Family history relates that this was the first car to have an aeroplane engine in it. It was a Zeppelin engine. The pictures were taken at Brooklands.

My father knows more about it all than I do.

Peter Line.

 

[Brad Manhattan Beach]

Jay:

Thanks for sharing that very cool story. Now that is some racing heritage in that family. Too bad grandpa isn't around to see the latest namesake of his car.

Brad

 

[Tom Friend]

Obviously a first generation car- look at the sidepipes.

You must be registered for see images

 

[RonC]

Radical Ram Air in the front too

You must be registered for see images

So at the time, I wonder what the world record was??

 

[Steve Ferguson]

Jay, can we e-mail this story and the pictures to Team Viper? I think they may get a thrill out it.

 

[Tom Glenn]

Those brakes look familiar.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Jay,
can I get your permission to down load the picture and print it? I like black and white photo's and collect them, but i also repsect other's pictures. It's a cool picture of a different era. nice.

 

[JonB]

Now THAT deserves a follow up story, and wider circulation. I hope you send this guy to Mark G at ViperMag. Maybe we should make his dad an honorary VCA member ?

This is WAY too cool to pass up .

( PartsRack has replacement exhaust, wheels, and tires avail !)

 

[Paul Fischer]

Sidepipes, no windows, no exterior door handles, and no cupholder. Definitely Gen I. Even the tires have a diamondback pattern, way cool.

Thanks for posting.