Vehicle Details
- Year: 1997
- Make: Dodge
- Model: Viper GTS Coupe
- VIN: 1B3ER69EXVV300492
- Mileage: 3,095
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Viper Red
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Fort Myers, FL 33916
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0027935
Introduced as a second-generation (SR II) model, the GTS was the first Dodge Viper offered as a fixed-roof coupe and featured a more powerful 8.0-liter V10 engine than the standard RT/10 Roadster. This 1997 example is finished in Viper Red over black leather and is believed by the seller to be one of only 7 cars produced with factory Sparkle Gold painted wheels and matching fender emblems. Accompanied by the original window sticker and a collection of original accessories, this rare Dodge Viper GTS is now being offered for auction with just over 3k miles showing on the odometer.
The Viper’s body is comprised of lightweight molded fiberglass over a tubular steel frame. The fixed-roof GTS model includes a unique “double-bubble” canopy designed to accommodate passengers with helmets during track days. Features include a single-piece clamshell hood, “Aero Polyellipsoid” halogen headlights, fog lamps with removable lens covers, and rare 5-spoke 17” cast aluminum wheels in Sparkle Gold along with matching “Sneaky Pete” emblems on the fenders. The seller states the factory-applied paint protection remains in place and the car rides on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport tires mounted in 2019 within the last 100 miles. Additional images are provided in the gallery along with a clean CARFAX report.
The black interior includes a pair of premium leather high-back bucket seats along with manually adjustable foot pedals, power windows, air conditioning, electronic keyless entry, and a 200-watt Alpine premium sound system as factory equipment. The GTS was also the first Viper to receive airbags as factory safety equipment. The seller confirms all gauges and accessories to be fully functional and adds that the cabin remains unmodified.
A naturally aspirated 8.0-liter aluminum V10 engine is paired with a 6-speed BorgWarner T56 manual transmission and a limited-slip differential sending up to 450 HP and 490 lb.-ft of torque are sent to the rear wheels. The seller states service was recently completed in preparation for the auction including an oil change, brake fluid flush, clutch system bleed, new transmission fluid, and A/C system maintenance.
This sale will include the original window sticker, owner’s manuals, tool kit, a factory car cover, two factory keys, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: "Thank you for taking the time to visit my very first auction with PCARMARKET. It is with great pride that I present this 1997 Viper GTS for your consideration. This is a special Viper to me as I grew up with a poster of this very car on my bedroom wall. Only 7 Sparkle Gold GTS cars were delivered during the 25-year run of the Dodge Viper and this is one of them. I have spent countless hours, scouring through old classified ads, Viper forums, and registries and I believe this to be No. 1 of those seven cars, based on the VIN series. The time learning about these cars also taught me that at least two of them have undergone modifications from their factory configuration, others accumulated lots of miles, and a couple that may no longer exist. Accordingly, chassis No. 0492 could be the lowest mileage and most original specimen left from those original seven cars. While this is what I have been able to gather on my own, old Chrysler records are occasionally updated, so I welcome additional information if anyone has it.
In any case, this Viper is far from a shiny museum piece that cannot be driven due to decades-old tires and overdue service. It received new factory-recommended Michelin Pilot Sport tires in 2019 (roughly 100 miles ago), as well as a complete service in late 2022 performed by arguably the most reputable performance facility in SW Florida. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. I own a licensed, bonded, and insured dealership in the State of Florida. We are a small, father-and-son business, and work late hours and all weekends, while keeping my day job, to offer some of the coolest cars we can find. If the winner is a Florida resident, the law requires me to collect sales tax, and tag/title DMV costs and will process all the paperwork on the buyer's behalf. Temporary plates are available at no additional cost to the winner regardless of the state of residence. I believe I covered everything but don't be afraid to ask any questions; I am here to serve you.
Thank you again,
-EnzosDad "
Auction Results
- Highest Bid: $85,000
- Auction End: Mar 22, 2023 07:38:31PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 25
Comments (45)
Thank you for the bids everyone!
@werrponb, hope to make a deal soon!
Bid in the amount of $85,000
Bid in the amount of $84,000
Bid in the amount of $83,000
Bid in the amount of $82,000
Bid in the amount of $80,000
Bid in the amount of $79,000
Bid in the amount of $78,000
Bid in the amount of $77,000
Bid in the amount of $76,000
Bid in the amount of $75,000
Werrpondb almost gave me a heart attack.
Bid in the amount of $74,000
Bid in the amount of $73,000
Now it’s getting fun!
Bid in the amount of $72,000
Bid in the amount of $71,000
Bid in the amount of $70,250
Bid in the amount of $70,000
Bid in the amount of $69,000
I wanted to thank everyone who has so placed bids so far.
The new owner of this Sparkle Viper GTS will NOT be disappointed.
Bid in the amount of $68,000
Bid in the amount of $64,500
Bid in the amount of $64,000
Bid in the amount of $62,500
Bid in the amount of $61,000
Bid in the amount of $60,000
Good morning Pcarmarket enthusiasts! Today is auction day for this virtually *new* Sparkle Viper.
As stated before, I have followed the "Sparkle Gold" Vipers for years. They are elusive as they do not come up frequently, but I have done my best to track them down on Viper forums, registries, online adds and auctions.
This information is a work in progress as data on Sparkle Vipers comes up only so often.
These are the Sparkle Viper VINs I've found, ending in:
- VV300492 - Possibly lowest Sparkle GTS VIN. Today's car with 3K miles, unmodified.
- VV300886 - No info.
- VV301393 - No info.
- VV301503 - No Info.
- VV301524 - 17K miles around 2018, modified interior.
- VV302414 - Highest Sparkle GTS VIN. 7K miles in 2022, highly modified.
(I am missing one VIN).
Also, three Sparkle GTS cars popped up between 2007-8. No VIN information on these. They would fill in the "No info" blanks above, or be the one VIN I am missing above, as follows:
- Car with 9K miles in 2007. Unmodified.
- Car with 33K miles in 2007. Unmodified.
- Car with 16K miles in 2008. Wheels had been removed by prior owner; current owner was looking for Sparkle Gold wheels.
This is what I have gathered so far; I will welcome more input today or in the years to come.
Thank you everyone for considering my Viper today.
And good luck bidding!
EnzosDad
Additional content includes closeups of the factory brochure (included with the car) describing all available trim options for 1997. "Sparkle Gold" trim available that year only.
Online registries state that three RT-10 (Roadster) and seven GTS (Coupe) Sparkle cars were made.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Good morning, a handful of items to add to this listing:
- This Viper received ceramic coat treatment (body and wheels) in preparation for sale.
- It is pre-wired for a battery tender (see recently added picture).
- It retains all factory paper labels inside wheel wells. Usually gone after driving in the rain, they all remain on this car, showing it has not seen unfavorable weather (see additional photo).
- Also adding a few pics to show the condition of bumper chin and un-touched fender areas (all retaining factory protective film).
EnzosDad
@Manos411 He was a little nervous to get behind the wheel of a fresh Viper, so he made a remarkable copilot instead :)
Thank you for the opportunity and good luck bidding!
Not much to say other than he was pretty excited when he called me while you guys were together. Like traveling back to 1997 new car smell and all the documentation. Really clean underneath.
The only thing he didn't like was not getting a chance to drive it, but even though he's got a good eye for cars a stick is not his friend. I never let him drive my stuff either. GLWA I'll be here for the close.
For out-of-state buyers, I can arrange enclosed transportation anywhere in the United States, 100% insured, door to door delivery (At buyer's cost. Contact me directly for an estimate). I will store the vehicle in a climate-controlled facility for a reasonable amount of time until it is either shipped or picked up.
I have sold cars and motorcycles to the Middle East, west and east European countries, Central and South America. Contact me with any shipping questions.
Local pick up is always welcome! If you decide to fly in, I will personally pick you up from the airport (we are 12 minutes away from Southwest International Airport in Fort Myers). A 30-day temporary tag is included for free, so you can drive it right away.
EnzosDad.
@Manos411 It was great meeting your cousin @Manos411. Perfect weekend morning for a Viper to stretch its legs.
If it's not much to ask, I would welcome any feedback, good or bad.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Bid in the amount of $57,000
Thanks for your time today, I’m in!
Bid in the amount of $50,000
@Manos411 Absolutely! In-person inspections are welcomed. Please contact me directly and we will set it up.
Hi seller, car looks showroom new from the pictures. Is it available for inspection? Possibly this coming weekend?
I love these Sparkle Vipers. The WANT is strong.
Good morning everyone! And welcome to my auction.
I look forward to answering any questions to the best of my ability.
My Viper GTS has super-low miles, it remains in original condition and has been serviced to allow its new owner to display at a special event, to create memories behind the wheel, or a combination of both for many years to come.
I tried to take as many photos as possible to showcase its condition, but feel free to ask for more if I missed anything.
Thank you again,
EnzosDad.
@waterpointemc Many thanks for the good wishes @waterpointemc! Hoping everything is well on your end; you should come and visit us on the other coast sometime :)
Ahh. Know this car well lol. Glws