Chrysler Group's SRT Viper Wins NAHC Collectible Car Award

DETROIT, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Automotive History Collection (NAHC) has selected the Chrysler Group's SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Viper as its "Collectible Car of the Future."

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140219/DE67985 )

NAHC members vote annually to name the "Collectible Car of the Future" from North American-built vehicles launched during the previous calendar year. The SRT Viper was selected from 19 all-new vehicles introduced in 2013.

"We ask our members to predict which of the year's new vehicles will command the highest attention at Detroit's famous Woodward Dream Cruise 25 years from now," Charles K. Hyde, president of the NAHC Board of Trustees said.  "Car enthusiasts select this award, making it unique among vehicle-of-the-year awards.

"Quite impressively this is the third time Viper has been the recipient of this award, a testament to Chrysler's visionary design team."

Ralph Gilles, president and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC, accepted the award in ceremonies at Chrysler's Featherstone Research and Engineering Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

"With fewer than 30,000 Vipers built since the nameplate's launch in 1992, the Viper has earned its place as a unique, hand-built American exotic supercar," said Gilles. "The National Automotive History Collection award further recognizes the exclusivity and collectability of our flagship performance machine from Chrysler Group."

The NAHC is the world's largest collection of automotive books and historical materials, and is housed at the Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library.  The NAHC Board of Trustees raises funds and provides volunteer assistance for the collection.

About SRT Viper
The fifth generation of iconic American-built supercar returned in 2013 as the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand's flagship performance machine with more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts. Power from the all-aluminum, 8.4-liter mid-front V-10 engine delivering 640 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports-car engine in the world, combines with reduction in curb weight to produce the best power-to-weight ratio of any Viper ever. Standard safety features include electronic multistage stability control, traction control and anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Two models of the iconic supercar are hand-built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit – the Viper's home since 1995. Both SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS models offer interior and exterior designs incorporating premium materials and new exterior surfaces with aerodynamically functional details that are beautifully integrated into the high-tech carbon fiber and aluminum skin. On the inside, designers and engineers strived to rethink all its touch points and upgrade all its material appointments and technologies. The Viper GTS model adds many premium features including a leather wrapped interior, five mode electronic stability control and an adjustable suspension.

About the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC)
The NAHC is the world's largest public archive of automotive information and an invaluable resource for automotive historians, journalists and collectors.  Housed in the Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library at 121 Gratiot in downtown Detroit, the NAHC's collection of books, manuals, photos, company histories and historic documents is open to the public.

SOURCE The National Automotive History Collection