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As Lamborghini was owned by Chrysler at the time, Gale brought them in to help with the exterior and engine design. This car would need to have a manual gearbox and a staggeringly powerful engine.
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Gale got to work to implement Lutz's vision for a two-seater that took inspiration from classic 1960s sports cars, like the Shelby Cobra and Jaguar E-Type.
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He wanted to start a project that was like a revitalized Shelby Cobra. As Gale walked by Lutz's office, the Chrysler president called him in. The idea for the Dodge Viper started with one conversation between Chrysler's chief of design, Tom Gale, and its president, Robert A. Additionally, get answers to your burning questions about the Viper. The Viper's engineering was equally exceptional, and the car even made the top 10 in the Most American Cars list, with over 75% of its parts made in America.įind out more about the origins of the Dodge Viper and its five generations in this guide. The heart of the car was a V-10 engine, which provided an impressive amount of power to the light sports car. Its roaring horsepower and jaw-dropping speed made it a favorite of drivers who wanted to fly down the road.
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