What's the difference between '97 and '98?

[Johann]

I don't think the years ran Jan to Dec. What is your last 6 numbers in your VIN?

It seems that Vipers don't follow the normal August-to-August calendar like most Detroit, model years run from Jan-Dec.

 

[C O D Y]

Does it change from year to year? I think they switched at some point. They are just getting ready to build '08 in July of this year.

I thought they made the change in 94 (something like a 16 month build year) and that was part of the reason they had some many that year.

It seems that Vipers don't follow the normal August-to-August calendar like most Detroit, model years run from Jan-Dec.

 

[kcobean]

Here's another little bit of neat info on the 98's. The red cars could be ordered with silver stripes, but they were having some trouble with the silver paint on the red at the factory so it took them most of the year to get it figured out. That is why they made so few red with silver stripes GTS's and they are all real late built cars.

I almost bought one of these Red/Silver 98 cars.....there were only 11 made, so it is a rare car indeed.

 

[ELW98]

My 98 Viper R/T (Nov. build) has the new style fan from the factory (NEW) YES.. late model run 98's had NEW style fan FACT!. You cannot go by VIN# on genII's as they were not built in sequence like the early genI's.


JonB., will back me up on this,


ELW

 

[C O D Y]

I beg to differ.... 96 and 98 were built in VIN sequence, the 97 and 99's were not. That is because they built Prowlers in 97 and 99, but not 96 or 99. Not all cars we're built pefectly in order, but semi close. Late VIN's were late cars and early VIN's were early cars.

I know I told JonB for years that my late 98 had the newer fan, but I was wrong after talking to the previous owner.

BTW, did you buy your car new?

My 98 Viper R/T (Nov. build) has the new style fan from the factory (NEW) YES.. late model run 98's had NEW style fan FACT!. You cannot go by VIN# on genII's as they were not built in sequence like the early genI's.


JonB., will back me up on this,


ELW

 

[ELW98]

Yes the car had the fan (99 style) when purchased new. Nothing was updated after purchase. As i stated...some late 98's received the fan update and PCV update as I am (1) of them and have the car to prove it.

(Nov. build date Vin# 1252

ELW

 

[C O D Y]

Did you buy the car new? Are you the only owner of the car?

 

[C O D Y]

Would still like to know if you bought your car new. One of my 1998's I bought new was a higher VIN and a later build month. ... it came with the old style fan. I dought they went back to using the old fans.

Did you buy the car new? Are you the only owner of the car?

 

[Fast Viper Dan]

Re: What's the difference between '97 and '98?


OK someone has to be the smart a$$ so it is going to be me.


The answer is 1.

You think your so smart!








The answer is negative 1. "98" being the most recent

 

[red98RT10]

Stronger 17" 5 spokes was in '98 and the textured dash was in '98.

 

[GTSNRT10]

My 98 with mdh 11 24 14 has the rubber flapped "new style fan as well" I bought the car with 3400 miles and the original owner says he did nothing to the car.

 

[Lake Murray Viper]

My car has a build date of 10 20 07 (MDH) and also has the new style fan with the rubber flaps. I am not the original owner of the car so I'm not sure if it was changed or not but little has been done to this car except washing and waxing .

 

[C O D Y]

So, not one person has bought their car new with the newer style fan. It's only a $125 dollars to upgrade and MANY, MANY people did the upgrade. Very common to see this on 96, 97 and 98 vipers. I still believe based on my research that they did not come with the newer style fan. Dodge aggress.