The most expensive Dodge Viper RT/10 of all time
01/17/2020
Yesterday, on January 16, 2020, Bonhams auctioned a 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 in Scottsdale for USD 285,500, i.e. around EUR 256,500 or CHF 276,000. This is quite an astonishing price, because people who follow the market for used Vipers should know that a Viper RT/10 that is now almost 30 years old is usually sold for between EUR/CHF 30,000 and 60,000, sometimes even less. For Viper owners who now feel like quarter-millionaires, however, the euphoria must be tempered somewhat.
The Dodge Viper RT/10 sold in Scottsdale (incidentally offered in this country as a Chrysler Viper at the time) was the first production example ever (chassis number 1B3BR65E5NV100001). The mileage on the speedometer was under 6500 and the first owner was Lee Iacocca, the father of this American sports car with a ten-cylinder engine, so to speak.
However, because it was an interesting example, bidders were keen to acquire the car. The battle began at USD 80,000 and, with increments of 5,000, the highest bid of USD 255,000 was reached in almost 10 minutes, which, together with the commission/surcharge, led to the above-mentioned sale price. Auctioneer James Knight added fuel to the fire when he said: "How much do you think this car will be worth in five years' time?"
It is not the first time that very early examples of a vehicle type have achieved high prices, but in this case even Bonhams' expectations (USD 100,000 to 120,000) were clearly exceeded.
It would be premature and unrealistic to deduce from this success that valuations of cars in general or sports cars from the 1990s in particular will now rise again, as other results at the same auction clearly showed.
We will of course be publishing a full report on the entire auction shortly.
