1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe Ultra-Original Unmodified Unaltered Very Collectable

Offered for sale is my 1996 Dodge Viper GTS coupe. This is the very collectable car that Dodge built in 1996 to go racing. This is the highly sought-after first year the coupe(also known as gen-2 Viper) was offered. Prior to 1996 only roadsters were offered. It is possibly one of the most original 1996 Vipers being offered for sale. It has not been modified or altered in any way. If you're shopping for one of these cars you already know the specs; 488 cubic inch aluminum V10 producing 450 horsepower and 490 ft-lbs of torque backed by a Borg Warner T56 6-speed transmission with 5th and 6th gears as overdrive and putting all the power to the road with a Dana Super 44 rearend and independent rear suspension. When Road & Track magazine tested a bone stock Viper GTS right off the showroom floor in 1996 they achieved a top speed of 186 mph. Only 1166 of these 1996 second generation Vipers were ever built.
I have owned this car since 2004. The current mileage is 27,950 miles. When I went shopping for a Viper in 2004 I was looking for the most original car I could find, exactly as it was built by Chrysler 8 years earlier and even then after only 8 years, original cars were hard to find. It never ceases to amaze me how so many owners can't leave well enough alone and will change any part of the car that they can through their money at, engine, drivetrain, shifter, exhaust, wheels, tires, not to mention installing every piece of cheap crappy simulated carbon fiber panels on the interior they can get their hands on. Every modification reducing the originality and collectability, and value of the car. This car has had several batteries over the course of it's life, oil changes every spring, the rear tires were replaced once with original OEM Michelin Pilot Sport tires and I just replaced the brakes front and rear. Even the brakes, I could have possibly achieved better braking from the aftermarket drilled and slotted rotors but they would not be original to the car so I went with stock rotors. It includes original owners manual, warranty manual, plastic folding portfolio with the hubcap wrench tucked into the middle, owner's manual addendum, Michelin Tire warranty, original window sticker and too much more to mention but all shown in the photos and all paperwork I ever got with the car. Try and find all that with any other 1996 Viper GTS.
The car is in excellent condition. Not perfect. I bought the car from the Southwest, AZ I believe. Since I have owned it, it has never been stored outdoors, not even one night. It has never been rained on. I wash and dry it once, maybe twice a year depending on the amount of brake dust that builds up and other than that it just gets dusted off. It has some very minor, light speckling from road sand and debris on the front surfaces. The front spoiler / valence has scratching and even a few small cracks at the bottom edge which can't be seen unless you lay on your back. Keep in mind the bottom of the spoiler is only 2 3/4 inches above the road surface. The front spoiler on this car will scrape. Sometimes it can't be avoided. It's just something you have to accept if you drive the car. There are a couple small scratches and knicks that have been carefully touched-up and they would need to be pointed out to be found. This car has never had a mechanical problem of any kind since I have owned it. I don't believe it has ever been on a track, certainly not while I owned it the last 12 years. It's never had an accident, never hit anything, never been apart. A stunning example of how the car was built. The front tires are down to the TWI(tread wear indicator) and should be replaced.
It I were keeping this car I would remove the front valance(bumper cover), a simple process and have it professionally refinished and the car would be absolutely stunning. I've already had a couple estimates and it's not too expensive. If I have it done before selling the car then the cost of the car increases about $5000. The last two photos show the touch-up spot and the most unsightly area of the front valance(bumper cover).
The car is being sold as-is, where-is. Any shipping would be the responsibility of the buyer. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required at the end of the auction. The balance is due within 5 days via cash, wire transfer, or bank check. Please ask any questions prior to bidding and the auction's end. I can be reached at 860 742 0426. Thanks for looking.