Building an Orange Viper

Dick Winkles has been on the Viper engineering team since Day One, including a stint at the helm of the Viper GTSR race program. The new 600 HP Viper engine is his baby. “I was so pleased with the way the new engine turned out that I had to own one.” The only way to get one was to buy the car. He wanted a roadster and, when he learned that an orange color was to be added to the portfolio, he ordered it—then discovered that his would be the first one built in that color. He also was privileged to follow his new car all the way through production. Luckily we got to go with him via his photos.

1. The chassis starts down the line. The instrument panel is mounted and the rear suspension is attached.

2. Jim Drew uses the large yellow air bladder to position the chassis assembly at a convenient height for installation of components.

3. Winkles assists as Anthony “Smooth” Thomas scribes the Viper’s serial number to the transmission housing.

4. Winkles with the complete powertrain (engine and Tremec transmission), ready to install.

5. Thomas slides the powertrain unit into the chassis. He earned his nickname because of the deceptive ease with which he does this.

6. Al Dunlap and Thomas are ready for the next sequence now that the chassis is dressed with exhaust system, brakes and fuel tank.

7. Deron Rogers III attaches the hydraulic clutch line while Hassanh Collins prepares for the next step in the process.

8. John Roberts wields a rather large lug nut wrench. It’s probably not the ideal tool for the home toolbox.

break!

1. Palomba adds taillight brackets. He also will install the trunk seal.

2. Jim Richards hangs the driver side door.

3. Tony Banks drops the passenger-side front fender into place.

4. The “Orange line” at the end of the day. Winkles’ car is the first Orange Viper to be built.

5. Jeff Jakubowski and Rob Rouda attach the front fascia. It’s about the last part to go on the Viper.

6. The completed car, ready to be driven off the line.

7. The Viper gets a bath to make sure there are no leaks. When test technician Dave Kochan saw the look on Winkles’ face he said, “if you dont want me to run it through …” But Winkles waved him on.

8. Winkles and Ralph Gilles on the line. Ralph’s car, an ACR Coupe, was built at the same time. Both were at the plant to pick up their cars. Behind them is John Gassman, of Roanoke Dodge in Roanoke, Ill. He sold Winkles and Gilles their cars. With him to the right is Janet VanHavermaat of the Conner plant.