THE LAST VIPER

[Mike 123]

Here is a link on the last Viper off the line.

Final Dodge Viper -- Autoblog

Ralph Gilles and D'Ann Rauh with the final Dodge Viper – Click above for high-res gallery

The 2010 Dodge Viper is many things, awesome among them. So when you're buying something truly awesome, what do you do? Paint it earth tones, of course. Brown cars are the zenith of cool, and the very last Viper (for now) rolled out of the Conner Avenue plant wearing bronzed gold House of Kolor paint with copper-hued stripes. Airbrushed on those stripes by SRT's Bob Soroka are pictograms of race tracks that bear special significance for the Viper.

The last of the current-generation Vipers turned out to be a coupe, factory customized for owner D'Ann Rauh. D'Ann and her husband Wayne Rauh own the largest personal stash of Vipers, totaling more than 40 cars. Not only does Rauh's car wear a stunning color palette, the interior has custom leatherwork by Tony Spampinito, a veteran of the Rauh's past Viper projects. Dark graphite finished forged aluminum wheels tuck under the flashy bodywork, and seeing the Viper wearing the hue makes one wonder why there's never been a shade of umber offered on the Viper's flanks before. Maybe next time, whenever that is. Full details in the press release after the jump.

 

[plumcrazy]

ugliest viper yet

 

[georgethedog]

For the last one, that is one ugly color. Sorry, just my opinion. I can see that color on a Mercury Marquis, but not a Viper. Good thing they have so many other ones so they don't have to look at this one as often...

 

[usurbrain]

agreed.. that almost makes me want to hide and say I don't own a Viper.....

 

[Snakester]

I want to see more pictures first before I pronounce judgement on the color combo (interior pics anyone?)

Dodge Brand President and CEO Ralph Gilles (right) and plant manager Shelly Brown Gordon (third from right) welcomed more than 400 hundred loyal Viper owners at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit today to present the ultimate factory customized 2010 Dodge Viper coupe to proud new owner D'Ann Rauh (second from right). Rauh and her husband Wayne from Arp, Texas, own more than 40 Dodge Vipers - the largest personal collection of Vipers in the world. A member of the Mid-South Viper Club of America, D'Ann Rauh worked exclusively with the Dodge Design team to select the personal touches she wanted on her car. The custom bronzed gold exterior paint was supplied by House of Kolor. The custom interior features various leather appointments, which were crafted by Tony Spampinito from Venzano, who has worked with the Rauhs on previous Viper projects. Bob Soroka, from Chrysler Group LLC's Street and Racing Technology team, airbrushed layouts of Viper-significant race tracks into the custom-painted copper stripes applied by Prefix. The five-spoke forged-aluminum wheels are custom painted in dark graphite. Members from both the Motor City Viper Club and the Viper Club of America participated in the celebration. Rauh's Viper is the last of the current-generation Vipers built at the plant. Dodge has created more special-edition Viper models for the 2010 model year than all other model years combined. Production on the Dodge Viper started in 1992. The Conner Avenue Assembly Plant will be idled while Dodge investigates a future-generation Viper.

Isn't Rauh the buyer of the matte gold Hurst Coupe at auction for $275K, and it's matching one-off roadster version as well?
It should be an impressive Viper collection!

 

[Bandit3]

And I always thought the Dolphin Viper was the fugliest, now it takes second place. YUK

 

[BlknBlu]

The color was not for me, but in the Sun it actually looks pretty good. No other Viper has the same look as this one.

Bruce

 

[hou99gts]

Cool idea putting the race tracks in the stripes!

 

[MTGTS]

Not a fan

 

[Fatboy 18]

What the hell were they thinking

That's Horrid.

If ever a car needed a re-spray that one does

 

[Joseph Houss]

Congratulations to ALL that worked at CAAP and of course, the Rauhs.

I'm sure CAAP built the car THEY desired, and one that is unique in ALL aspects.

When we're watching "Classic Car TV" (or whatever TVs are called 20 years from now), they surely won't be complaining about the color they picked, but will be reporting on THE LAST CAAP BUILT Viper, and its' unique characteristics!

 

[BlknBlu]

Just a reminder, not the last Viper, but the last Gen IV Viper.

Live on Viper
Bruce

 

[kcobean]

That's awesome...I like that color! I've always like the 007 car and this color is sort of similar. I'll bet it's brilliant in the sun.

Congrats to the Rauhs for buying the last Viper to be made. That is a true collectors item.

I wonder....does anybody know what the total production number from start to finish is? Probably in the 28K range yes?

 

[BlknBlu]

They were selling the 2010 Dealer brochres at the event and it contains a chart of every year and total production built. The brochure is more like a book. Very nice piece.

Bruce

 

[Ricketts]

That's sad......... The last Viper is Ugly as sin! I'm not a red car guy BUT, I think since the first one was red, the last one should've been too.

 

[swexlin]

I like it. Then again, I'm one of the ones who thinks ANY color looks good on a Viper. On a side note - 40!! Vipers? Where do you keep them? And how do you drive them all. Must be a nice problem to have.

 

[Dustman]

ugliest viper yet

agreed.. that almost makes me want to hide and say I don't own a Viper.....

couldn't agree more

 

[AFL in NJ]

I actually like it, its 70's colors to my color-blind eyes, but I think a polyester suit, some big reflector sunglasses and a splash of Old Spice would make ladies night a whole new experience in that car!! (ooooh and I've have to put a CB radio in it too!)

I'll look forward to the 1st Gen V Viper too!

Regards,
Aaron

 

[Simms]

They were selling the 2010 Dealer brochres at the event and it contains a chart of every year and total production built. The brochure is more like a book. Very nice piece.

Bruce

Yes, very nice piece. Did you notice the Canadian special edition?

 

[KenricGTS]

Congrats to them!

 

[RobZilla]

 

[2snakes4us]

I chated with Rauh and her husband Wayne at the Premiere event 2 years ago and they are really nice people. It sounded like She drives the vipers most of the time. She told me she drives them ALL !! So I doubt if that car will be at a auction some day with only 4 miles on it.

I like it. Then again, I'm one of the ones who thinks ANY color looks good on a Viper. On a side note - 40!! Vipers? Where do you keep them? And how do you drive them all. Must be a nice problem to have.

 

[FLATOUT]

PUKE

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

The owner of the Hurst/Woodhouse Ltd. Edition Vipers is another young lady from Grand Junction , Colorado. Seems that alot of preconceived notions about our favorite muscle car are being changed, when the largest collection is owned by one of the female persuasion, and the most expensive one ever sold is in the hands of a woman.

I know of a couple of others in the hands of girls who like their Viper toys ---- refreshing if I say so mee- self!!

Not just a car for all generations, but a passionate affair for all genders.

It will be interesting to actually see the last car, as quite a few people who were there are stating it looks alot different in person and is quite stunning. Seems like that has happened with alot of colors that have some flash, and folks even disliked the Snakeskin Green initially ,as it too was hard to take pictures of.

I still applaud Dodge, as hopefully this is a portrait of things to come, where custom Snakes , from the factory, are not just a possibility , but reality -- just my humble opinion.

 

[QUICKSRT10/SRT8]

I want to see more pictures first before I pronounce judgement on the color combo (interior pics anyone?)


Isn't Rauh the buyer of the matte gold Hurst Coupe at auction for $275K, and it's matching one-off roadster version as well?
It should be an impressive Viper collection!

here are the interior pics

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

Its only important that she liked it, and for that, I'm grateful enough that she did.

 

[Jerz Viper]

I just got back to the Garden State after enjoying the special day at CAAP.

I want to thank everyone who put this together, it was truly a class act from plant to museum.

Yesterday when I walked around and met some of the CAAP employees I could feel their passion for this car. Each and everyone of them have pride and ownership in what they do and that is a rare thing these days!

I wish them all the best and a hardy THANK YOU for a job well done!

I thank God that Ralph is at the helm during these times, as his vision,leadership and passion now soak deep down through the entire organization and boy does it show!

Yesterday we saw the last Gen 4 come off the line, and it's going to a great home along side 40+ brothers and sisters.

I had the pleasure of meeting the owner D'Ann and her husband Wayne a few months back for the first time and let me tell you, they are super people!

So Viper Nation, our car has officially retired...but lets hope the Viper's retirement is like Brett Favre's

You must be registered for see images

HMMM, he was number 4......

So I leave you with a few pictures, because I know the rule!

This post means nothing without pictures

 

[Art 138]

Congrats to them!

Did you get your MY 10 yet???

 

[Bobpantax]

You have just had a wonderful vacation. You have packed all your belongings in the car and have gone back in to do one final check of the place where you stayed. You go to the door and pause. You look back inside and at that moment you realize and feel that the vacation is over. You smile; quietly sigh,feel a little sad and wonder about Monday morning when you know that the yolk of responsibilty will lower itself on your shoulders once again.

That's how the CAAP ceremony felt to me. The good news is that if there is a Gen V, it will be made at CAAP. So maybe, just maybe, that vacation feeling will come back again soon. Until then, it is up to all of of us to keep the spirit alive. Enjoy your Snakes while you can. Today is here.

Happy Fourth of July weekend everyone. To me, no car embodies the concept of freedom more than a Viper. Drive it with pride.

 

[JonB]

Thanks Team Viper for 18+ Great years............

Bob, since you waxed poetic, with apologies to Author Phillip Larkin:

CAAP Is so sad. It sits as it was left,
shaped to the need and purpose of the last to go.
As if to win them back. Please?

Instead, bereft of anyone to please, it withers,
having no heart to turn again to what it started as.
See the tools left behind. Look at these pictures.
Hear the silence.


Here's hoping the Sights, Sounds, and Snakes return soon.


JonB