Lot 018: 1994 DODGE VIPER RT/10 SRDS 27

Wonderfully politically incorrect, the Dodge Viper was launched in January 1992. A pure American muscle car, it was conceived by Bob Lutz, Tom Gale, Francois Castaing and Carroll Shelby. Built around a tubular steel backbone frame equipped with all round double-wishbone independent suspension, vented disc brakes and power-assisted rack and pinion steering, it did without ABS or a traction control system. Extensively reworked by Lamborghini (another Chrysler subsidiary at the time), its 8 litre V10 former truck engine gained a new aluminium block and cylinder heads. Quoted as developing some 400bhp and 465lbft of torque, it was mated to a six-speed Borg Warner T-56 manual gearbox. Clad in lightweight resin transfer moulding glassfibre body panels, the targa-roofed RT/10 claimed a 0-60mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 165mph. Still a current production model, the Viper has long since attracted a cult following (though, today's versions come with a far fuller complement of driver-aid electronics). Finished in ultra rare Emerald Green metallic (just 133 of the 3,083 1994 model year RT/10s reputedly made are thought to have been thus liveried), this particular left-hand drive example has been in the current family ownership since 1994. Not UK registered until 1999 it is believed to have covered a mere 1,440 miles from new. With an interior that boasts light grey leather upholstery, white-faced dials and a Chrysler Dolby stereo, it rides on seventeen-inch three spoke alloy wheels.