Walter P. Chrysler Museum Spotlights Dodge Viper Racing Heritage With Born to Race Exhibition

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walter P. Chrysler Museum proudly presents Born to Race:  Dodge Viper Racing Heritage May 4 - Aug. 29 in Boss Chrysler's Garage.  The special exhibition showcases eight concept and production models that played a pivotal role in the vehicle's storied history.

Complete with an historical timeline and highlight labels detailing each vehicle, Born to Race features such pivotal models as:

1989 Viper Concept Car

1991 Viper RT-10

1996 Viper GTS Coupe

1997 Viper GTS-R

1997 Viper Le Mans Winner C-7

1998 Viper GT-2

2000 Viper GTS-R Concept

2000 Viper GTS-R

Immediately upon introduction of the Dodge Viper concept car at the 1989 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the public was clamoring to buy.  Chrysler's senior executives provided a small team of engineers and designers all the resources needed to produce the car and only one set of instructions – do it right and have it to market in less than three years.

As soon as the Dodge Viper hit the streets in the early 1990s, independent race teams began modifying the vehicle for GT racing. 

Over the next few years, the first generation Dodge Viper evolved into a purpose-built vehicle that was suitable for competition and the Dodge Viper GTS-R was introduced in 1996. A total of 57 of these elite vehicles were manufactured over the next eight years.

As the Dodge brand was not sold in Europe, the Viper was badged as a Chrysler overseas and a Dodge in North America.  The GTS-R went on to win every prestigious motorsport event in the world.

While Chrysler ended its official backing in 2001, the GTS-R continued racing well into 2007 with much success.  The Dodge Viper GTS-R will go down as one of the most successful factory-backed racing vehicles in history.

The Museum is open for self-guided tours – including access to the Born to Race exhibition – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday and noon – 5 p.m. Sunday.  Regular admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $4 for children ages 6 – 12. Children five and under are admitted free.  Two-for-one discount admission coupons are available at www.wpchryslermuseum.org.

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is located on Chrysler Group LLC's headquarters complex in Auburn Hills, Mich., accessible from I-75 at exit 78 (Chrysler Dr.).

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity and operates independently of Chrysler Group LLC.  All donations are tax-deductible.

For additional details and information, visit www.wpchryslermuseum.org or e-mail [email protected].

SOURCE Walter P. Chrysler Museum