posted 06-25-2012 03:32 PM                  

The first 2013 SRT Viper sold for $300,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Costa Mesa, Calif., on June 23. The final price made the Viper the top seller of the event.

Proceeds from the sale will go to the Austin Hatcher Foundation, which helps families and children affected by pediatric cancer.

The Viper, which debuted at the New York auto show in April, carries an 8.4-liter, 640-hp V10 combined with a six-speed manual transmission. The new-generation car made news with its traction and launch control, two firsts for the nameplate. It will arrive in dealerships near the end of this year.

You might recall that in January, a 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 durability prototype sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., for the same price of $300,000. This no doubt will add fuel to the Hatfield and McCoy-level battle between Ford and Chrysler customers.

Bidding on the SRT Viper surpassed $250,000, then a trip to the SRT Track Experience and tickets to Petit Le Mans were added, powering the car to the $300,000 mark.

The value of this future museum piece is likely to go up. We'd bet that in 10 years or so the $300,000 paid will feel like pennies to a new buyer. Here's to hoping that the car goes somewhere we can all enjoy it.

posted 06-25-2012 09:39 PM                  

...1st 1970 HEMI Challenger ever built

posted 06-26-2012 12:15 AM                  

"First available 'retail unit' 2013 SRT VIPER brought a $300,000.00 winner's bid at Barrett-Jackson Orange County"

Its not the 'first Viper built',,,,,first available retail unit.. (as stated by Barrett-Jackson Auctions)

I'm sure the top brass at Chrysler/Fiat LLC (Sergio Marchionne), and the head of the SRT division (Ralph Gilles),,,and people like Jay Leno and the like,,, will be driving their 2013 Vipers before that winning bidder gets their Viper delivered.