After 25 years, the Dodge Viper is going to die, for good. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles [NYSE:FCAU] confirmed this fact back in June as it announced final edition models that sold out pretty much instantly.
A weird thing happens when you say you're killing off an icon: sales spike.
The uptick in sales caused Dodge to close the order books for the final run of Vipers as the company was suddenly concerned as to how many it could deliver. Why would Dodge be concerned? We hear it's because it wasn't sure enough parts would be available, especially for the ridiculous--in the best possible way--ACR model.
CHECK OUT: 25 years of the Dodge Viper: The highs and lows
We reached out to a Dodge spokesperson today, who confirmed that order books for the final model year of the Viper will reopen before the end of the 2016 calendar year. For those counting, that would mean within the next four weeks.
Of course, this news might not be so great for the dealership that bought what it thought was the last 135 Vipers ever to be made. That was likely an attempt for a cash grab but Gerry Wood Dodge swears it has no intention of marking up the cars over MSRP. Despite the promise, those 135 cars probably just became a whole lot less special.
Want to get a 2017 Dodge Viper before it dies? Seems you just got lucky, but you better start counting those pennies or writing to Santa now, because once those order books open you can bet another flood of deposits will be put down. Who knows how many more Vipers Dodge can actually build.
