Owners of Chrysler’s new ’13 SRT Viper begin taking delivery of their supercars this month, gaining entry to or renewing membership in a near-exclusive club that almost ceased to exist. During tough times for Chrysler in the thick of bankruptcy, CEO Sergio Marchionne considered selling off the Viper’s assets to pay the bills. Instead, after some internal lobbying, the car was granted a stay of execution.
On Detroit’s east side, where the 2-seat sports car is hand-built by craftsmen at a small plant, the fifth-generation Viper is regarded as something of a symbol of Chrysler’s renaissance. The facility was shuttered after the auto maker’s bankruptcy, but later was reopened to continue output.
The Viper also holds a special status as Chrysler’s only model built by hand. Indeed, few cars anywhere are hand-built today.
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