cash84
Viper Owner
Okay I am trying to do a research paper but I can't find any info of why they picked out the name viper. I read that some marketing guys came up with it but never explained why this was the pick.
Why did the name Viper was used on our cars?
- Thread starter cash84
- Start date
cash84
Viper Owner
but is it in all the magazine? I only have it this year since I purchase the Viper last year.
viperdrummer
Enthusiast
Lutz wanted a car that reminded him of his Autocraft Cobra. (a 2 seater concept car "the Big Shot" was being considered) A snake name was desired and Python and Sidewinder were rejected. Lutz believes he came up with Viper during an airplane trip.
cash84
Viper Owner
Thanks! That sounds just about right. btw, so you really have the very second viper produced?
viperdrummer
Enthusiast
It may be right--may be part lore. Herb may know better. And yes, I have 00002
Nope concept was called Viper. Copperhead came out several years later and was similar to the Saturn Sky and brethren.
Martin
Enthusiast
I always thought Freud came up with the name idea and Lutz saw it for what it was and decided to name the car appropriately. 
Here's a reference for the Copperhead named concept car that became the Viper by production time
Link - Dodge Viper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"This concept vehicle was originally named Copperhead because of its low, wide appearance characteristic of reptiles. All engines for the Viper have since been known as "copperhead." The name would later be changed to Viper. Public reaction was so enthusiastic, that chief engineer Roy Sjoberg was directed to develop it as a standard production vehicle."
from Wilipedia
Ted
Link - Dodge Viper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"This concept vehicle was originally named Copperhead because of its low, wide appearance characteristic of reptiles. All engines for the Viper have since been known as "copperhead." The name would later be changed to Viper. Public reaction was so enthusiastic, that chief engineer Roy Sjoberg was directed to develop it as a standard production vehicle."
from Wilipedia
Ted
Flexx91
Viper Owner
That is correct. It looked like a Sky with a very shallow front end. It had the Copperhead color. Unfortunately, it stayed a concept car.
JacksViper
Enthusiast
To find the truth grasshopper, one must seek the source. Contact the Father of the Dodge Viper, Roy Sojberg at, [email protected] he's a great guy and will answer whatever question you have regarding anything Viper related. Good Luck...
Okay, Wikipedia must be correct. It is the end all of all knowledge. I guess I will eradicate my personal knowledge and replace it with Wiki's. Not!
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Yeah, I think Wiki is a little off. I'm pretty sure the orginal name was Viper and I know there was a Copperhead that came out some years later.
viperdrummer
Enthusiast
I tell my college age kids to stay the hell off Wiki. It is totally unreliable.
yea, that copperhead crap is wrong. I was just reading about this a few days ago in my Mopar Encyclopedia while chillin on the beach. Something about the translation of "Snake" from english to some other language resulting in "Vipera" then Viper clicked. When i get home i'll post the quote.
sdaddy
Enthusiast
I can make Wikipedia say the name Viper was the original code name for the K-Car if you give me about five minutes.
cash84
Viper Owner
As for being in my class, we were told to not use wiki because its not reliable source. And copperhead came out sometime in the mid-late 90's I thought?
My poor memory tells me Tom Gale came up with name "Viper."
viperdrummer
Enthusiast
Quote: " I think I came up with it on an airplane trip....what it was, you wanted a snake and we couldn't have Cobra. It was as simple as that. You didn't want sidewinder because it had military connotations ...Asp didn't sound too good. Python--they are big and they swallow pigs..So Viper seemed to be ..it rolls off your tongue easily." Bob Lutz quoted in "Viper-Pure Performance By Dodge" 1993.
If I had thought about it, I should have asked him in June.
If I had thought about it, I should have asked him in June.
