Porsche SA - Looking after You Classic.

The simple fact is that more than 70 % of all Porsche’s ever built are still on the Road today, and they play a huge part in preserving the brands heritage, while providing owners with many years of motoring pleasure at the same time.

You can understand that a well-looked after or correctly maintained and repaired Classic Porsche is not only worth a lot of money but also offers the owner unending satisfaction.  

Any Porsche that is 10 years or older falls into the Classic Porsche category and can be looked after by their global programme. Porsche AG Germany have open a Classic Workshop just outside Stuttgart where they maintain all models from the 356 all the way up to the Porsche 911 (Type 993).The facility is currently jam packed solid with cars from all over the world including some very special and rare classics such as 959 Porsches in various stages of restoration or repair.

The goal of the facility is to retain the authenticity and value of their customers Porsches. From a technical perspective, this is no easy task and Porsche Classic use original special tools, body frame gauges, data sheets and Porsche Classic Parts to achieve this.

Porsche SA have Porsche AG-approved Porsche Classic facilities at their Cape Town and Pretoria Centers, with Johannesburg coming on line by the end of the year. So just as in Germany if you want to restore your Classic Porsche from the ground up into a like-new condition or simply have it serviced and maintained it can be done right here in South Africa.   

Classic Car Unearthed by Archaeologists

Archaeologists believe the car had been dismantled for repair by a local soldier, and then seemingly abandoned

The remains of a MG roadster have been unearthed by archaeologists excavating a former military site.

The 1932 MG J2 was found within a World War Two artillery position during excavations at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain.

It is believed to be a pool car used by troops training in the 1960s which was dumped in a disused weapons pit.

Damien Campbell-Bell, of Wessex Archaeology, described the find as "a real surprise".

"This particular MG J2 is pretty rare and was one of only 2,083 of this model ever made," he said.

"We can tell from the tyre pattern the car was probably in use until the early 1960s, at which point it seems to have been placed in the artillery position."

Mr Campbell-Bell said he thinks the car had been dismantled for repair by a local soldier, but was then seemingly abandoned.

When the car was new in 1932, it had a top speed of 65 mph and would have cost about £199

WYG archaeologist Martin Brown said: "The MG is a particularly exciting find in that it shows the unrecorded side to life on an army camp.

"As a buried artefact it almost conforms to the urban myths of buried tanks, aircraft and equipment one hears about."

Archaeologists created a 3D model of the car to understand how it was left on the site

One-Off Jaguar XK120 Pinin Farina Unvieled

by Sports Car Digest 

This 1954 XK120 SE by Pinin Farina could be the rarest Jaguar ever. After a full nut-and-bolt restoration taking 6,725 hours by Classic Motor Cars (CMC), the wraps came off this unique Pinin Farina-bodied 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

The Jaguar XK120 SE was well received by the crowd of collectors and aficionados gathered at the event and finished second in class O-2 Postwar Closed.

This XK120 features unique bodywork by famed Italian coachbuilder and design house Pinin Farina. It was first delivered to Max Hoffman in 1954, who was an Austrian-born, New York-based importer of European automobiles into the United States during the 1950s.

Hoffman was a petrol-head who inspired the production and refinement of several vehicles from the main manufacturers, which earned him entry into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2003. It is believed that Hoffman inspired Pinin Farina to reinterpret the shapes of the XK and then unveiled it at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show.

After the unveiling in Geneva, the XK appeared at the Autocar Show later in April that year and Australian magazine Modern Motor reported that it was due to be exhibited at the Turin Motor Show in 1956, but never arrived due to the owner wanting to take delivery of it.

David Barzilay, Chairman of CMC’s operating board, said: “There is little trace of the car’s history, but we are certain that Hoffman was the supplying dealer, then first owner of the car and that there was only one XK120 by Pinin Farina produced, which makes this one of the rarest Jaguars in existence.”

In 2015, CMC purchased the car from a German gentleman who bought it in the USA in 1978 with the intention of restoring it. Unfortunately, he never got round to it and eventually decided to sell. CMC took on the challenge and have restored every nut and bolt of the vehicle. The team of specialists faced a number of challenges during the restoration, from finding the original paint colour to remaking the bumpers and rear window screen.

“Some of the original parts were impossible to find so we had to remake items such as the bumpers and chrome work by hand from photographs. We had to scan the front and rear end of the car and make mock ups of the lights, which were then scanned and 3D printed. Smaller missing parts were also 3D printed in-house. The rear window was missing so we also had to scan the window aperture and have a new rear screen made from the scan data.”

During the pre-restoration inspection it was found that Pinin Farina used the original XK body as a basis, and that, at some point in its life, the car was painted Burgundy and had the seats covered with tan leather.

Barzilay said: “There were no signs of the original paint colour and it all came down to the last nut and bolt. When the front screen was removed, we discovered a small section of original paint and used it as a colour match. The interior trim door cards were missing, along with the carpets and the original colour of the trim, but we discovered a small sample of original Ochre tan leather when we stripped the car down. This was colour matched and the original type and colour leather was used to recreate the interior. The shape and pattern of the door cards was created by looking at similar Pinin Farina designed cars from the period.”

Source: Classic Motor Cars; photos: Richard Michael Owen, Justin Leighton, Wouter Melissen]

Pebble Beach Concourse D Elegance and Monterey Auction Results 2017.

The Pebble Beach Concours 2017 drew 204 cars from 15 countries and 31 states to the Pebble Beach Golf Links. The judging process at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is two-fold: Class Judges focus primarily on originality and authenticity, while Honorary Judges direct their attention to design, styling and elegance. To be eligible to win Best of Show — the event’s top award — a car must first win its class.

Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2017 was awarded to the 1929 Mercedes-Benz S Barker Tourer owned by Bruce R. McCaw of Bellevue, Washington.

The 1929 German Mercedes had what it takes to win the title over more than 200 other beautiful cars.  The pre-war era car retains its original chrome-plated wheels and was restored by Steve Babinsky of Lebanon, N.J. for McCaw, who has owned the car for several years.

Owner of Rolex Best of Show award at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance received a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Superlative Chronometer

In addition to winning the coveted Best of Show award, the owner also receives a host of other accolades, including a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date just 41 watch with a special "Best of Show" engraving on the case back. Rolex is the official timepiece of the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance.  

Top Sales, Monterey 2017

1.      1956 Aston Martin DBR1 Roadster sold for $22,550,000, RM Sotheby's.

2.      1995 McLaren F1 Coupe sold for $15,620,000, Bonham’s

3.      1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Coupe sold for $14,520,000, Gooding & Company

4.      1970 Porsche 917K Race Car sold for $14,080,000, Gooding & Company

5.      1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Coupe sold for $8,305,000, RM Sotheby's

6.     1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Roadster sold for $8,000,000, Bonham’s

7.     1959 Aston Martin DB4GT sold for $6,765,000, RM Sotheby's

8.     1955 Ferrari 121 LM Spider sold for $5,720,000, RM Sotheby's

9.     1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III sold for $5,335,000, RM Sotheby's

10.     1959 Ferrari 250 GT SI Cabriolet sold for $4,840,000, Gooding & Company

2017 MONTEREY PORSCHE AUCTION PREVIEW

GOODING & CO.

1970 PORSCHE   917K   Estimate: R195million – R240million

Gooding brings a collection of top-shelf offerings to Monterey this year, and among their crop are two gems which will turn every single head which passes them. Both iconic racing cars of decades gone by, this remarkable pair ought to have the spectators salivating; not just for the eras which these cars helped define, but for their incredible spec and the fortunes they'll command at auction.

Arguably the most iconic machine to go on auction this year, this Gulf-liveried 917K is a stunner with a past spent on the silver screen. Not only was 917-024 leased to Steve McQueen's Solar Productions for use in the making of the seminal film Le Mans (1971), but it was used extensively for testing in 1970 at Le Mans in the talented hands of Mike Hailwood and Brian Redman. Part of Jo Siffert's personal collection, 917-024 spent decades in a dusty warehouse outside of Paris until its discovery in 2001.

The ultimate barn find was meant to go to auction back in 2014, but the detailed restoration process prevented it from doing so. Now, with the restoration complete and every detail carefully documented, the car is ready to make its auction debut, where, with its provenance, should have no problem finding a new owner.

1994 PORSCHE 964 CARRERA 3.8 RSR

Estimate: R13, 5million – R16, 5million

This immaculate 1994 Carrera RSR, finished in Grand Prix White, won the IMSA GT2 Championship, came second in the Exxon Championship, and clinched Second in Class in the World Porsche Cup in 1994. Powered by a 3.8-liter M64/04 RSR-specific engine, this svelte road course marvel can sprint to 60 mph in a mere 3.7 seconds thanks to the advertised 325 horsepower on tap, though, in reality, that figure is closer to 375 horsepower. That grunt, matched with a chassis weighing roughly 2,600 pounds, allowed for performance that put it at the sharp end of the pack in IMSA GT2, SCCA and PCA events for well over a decade. Despite its colourful history and race results, Chassis 81 has been well-preserved and comes with an extensive spares package including original wheels, electronic control units, suspension parts, and bodywork options, and other documentation such as a Porsche Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, Porsche Motorsport North America invoices and correspondence, race history, and period photographs.

HIGHLIGHTS

·         Rare and Desirable 964-Based Factory Racing 911

·         Matching-Numbers Example; One of Only 51 Built

·         Campaigned with Distinction; 1994 IMSA GT2 Overall Title Winner

·         Accompanied by Extensive Spare Parts Package and Rare Documentation

·         Impressive Example of a Porsche Racing Legend

BONHAMS

Estimate : R675000 – R900000

Bonhams brings a stable of delectable 356s to Monterey in 2017, and one tractor. Yes, you read that correctly—on auction is a classic piece of agricultural machinery which might take the dedicated Porschephile by surprise. This 1961 Porsche Junior 108 tractor might be one of the few unknowns which can offer a unique blend of whimsy, exclusivity, and a glimpse into Porsche's foray into the agricultural segment. Powered by a 14-horsepower diesel engine, this quirky little gem might be the least powerful machine at Monterey 2017, but it ought to be a crowd pleaser.

RM  SOTHEBY'S

Of all the cars on offer from this house, the one which ought to garner the most attention is their pristine 993 GT2. This monster, nicknamed "The Widowmaker," struck fear in the hearts of many and was Porsche's last turbocharged 911 homologated for motorsports, most notably for the BPR Endurance Series, and later for FIA GT. Due to the cult appeal of this car, the limited numbers (only 57 road cars were ever built), and the rising value of the 993 market, this GT2 shouldn't have any problem selling north of R15million

MECUM

Mecum brings a wide variety of Porsche to Monterey this year. Perhaps the most striking of their group is the 4.0-liter Brumos Edition Cup Car, which is a must-have for any die-hard 911 racer. This 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 4.0 is one of the last five U.S.-specification GT3 Cup cars built by Porsche that year, all of which were offered by Porsche’s long-time American racing partner, Brumos Porsche. Test driven and approved for delivery by Hurley Haywood, this very exclusive Brumos Commemorative Edition Porsche GT3 qualifies for SCCA, Porsche Club of America, and Porsche Owner’s Club competition.

RUSSO AND STEELE

Russo and Steele's eclectic collection of Porsches ought to have any stripe of automotive fan interested, but those with an eye for appreciation will take note of the exclusive 911 R in their stable. Like all their offerings, the estimate for the 911 R is not listed, but expect this thoroughbred to fetch north above the R5million mark.

Some Other Highlights and Notables

1973 Porsche 911 RS Lightweight Estimate R19,5 million - R21 million 

1996 Porsche 911 GT2 1 of 194 Produced Estimate R24 million - R28 million

1998 Porsche 959 KOMFORT 1 of 329 959S Produced Estimate R18 MILLION - R21 million 

1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 1 of 17 Produced Estimate R17 million - R19 million

1995 Porsche 911 RS 1 of 274 Produced Estimate R7,5 million to R9 million

1989 PORSCHE 911 TURBO CABRIOLET ESTIMATE R4 MILLION – R5, 2 MILLION  

1984 PORSCHE 930 RUF BTR     ESTIMATE R3 MILLION – R3, 75 MILLION

1989 Porsche 911 Speedster 1 of 823 delivered to the United States Estimate R3,0 Million - R3,75 million    

1996 PORSCHE 911 TURBO    ESTIMATE R3 MILLION – R3, 8 MILLION

The Best of SA's Gordon Murray

50 YEARS OF RACE-WINNING DESIGN AT GMD'S NEW STUDIO

If you’ve designed some of the world’s best supercars and F1 race winners over the past 50 years, why not bring examples of each together? That’s what British car designer Gordon Murray will do for a week in November to celebrate the opening of a new, bigger design studio for his Gordon Murray Design company.

·         1967 IGM Ford Special (T1)

Murray is also promising to make “an exciting announcement concerning an all-new, ground-breaking vehicle” at the opening.

1967 IGM Ford Special (T1)

Murray plans to put 40 iconic race and road cars on display at Dunsfold aerodrome in southern England, including a 1978 Brabham BT46B "Fan Car," 1981 Brabham BT49C championship winner and 1988 McLaren MP4/4 championship winner. The latter was the car driven by Ayrton Senna to his first F1 title.

“It will be a very proud and emotional day to see all these cars brought together,” said Murray, “as they chart my professional life as well as my perspective over the decades on complex challenges in vehicle design and engineering.”

Race versions of road cars in the exhibition will include at least two examples of the McLaren F1 -- the 1995 GTR Le Mans winner and a 1996 LM -- although it’s reasonable to expect a few other examples of the F1 surfacing from various collections.

·         1978 Brabham BT46B "Fan Car" (T9)

“Making this event happen presents a huge logistical challenge, as many of the vehicles are in private collections all around the world, and I’m hugely appreciative of their owners,” admits Murray.

1981 Brabham BT49C Championship Winner

Car buffs hope an example of the tandem two-seat Light Car Company Rocket from 1991 will make a rare appearance at the exhibit.

Murray was born and studied engineering in South Africa and moved to the U.K. in 1969 in search of a job as a race-car designer.

He had already built and raced the IGM Ford, a car to his own design, a replica of which has just been completed. The 1967 IGM was the starting point for Murray’s 50-year career as a car designer.

The IGM was given the code-name T1, and Murray has given all his designs a T-number since. The MP4/4, for example, was T19 and the latest design, the flat-pack Global Vehicle Trust OX utility truck is T34.

·         1983 Brabham BMW BT52 World Championship Car (T15)

The exhibition also marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of Gordon Murray Design, set up after Murray finished with the team that created the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

GMD has designed a three-seat city car -- the T25 -- designed around a new low-cost manufacturing process called iStream.

·         1988 McLaren MP4/4 Championship winner (T19)

The T25 and iStream have spawned a project with Yamaha for a compact city car, and the T26 concept will be at the exhibition.

Murray is also consulting on the revival of TVR and a two-seat sports car powered by a Cosworth-modified Ford Coyote V8. Although it’s unclear if the new TVR will be exhibited.

1995 McLaren F1 GTR Le Mans Winning Car

The location of the new studio is interesting, too -- Dunsfold is also home to the Top Gear TV track and studio.

Once the exhibits return to their collections, GMD will install new design, development and production equipment.

·         1996 McLaren F1 LM

Cars confirmed:

·         1967 IGM Ford Special (T1)

·         1978 Brabham BT46B "Fan Car" (T9)

·         1981 Brabham BT49C Championship Winner

·         1983 Brabham BMW BT52 World Championship Car (T15)

·         1988 McLaren MP4/4 Championship winner (T19)

·         1995 McLaren F1 GTR Le Mans Winning Car

·         1996 McLaren F1 LM

·         2013 Yamaha City Car (T26)

·         2016 GVT OX (T.34)

·         2016 GVT OX (T.34)

·         2013 Yamaha City Car (T26)

Concourse SA Sun City 3-6 August 2017

A superb collection of classic and vintage cars, representing some of the finest restorations in South Africa, will grace the lawns of the Sun City Hotel this weekend, with about vehicles vying for top honours in Concours South Africa 2017.

They include a 1913 Buick, the oldest Volkswagen Beetle in South Africa (built in 1949), a late 1980s Ferrari F40, a 1970 Lamborghini Miura, and many other extremely rare classics of all ages and genres.

Organizer Paul Kennard said: “We hosted the first Concours South Africa here at Sun City only 11 months ago and we're gratified that the numbers have increased to over 80 cars this year, some of them representing marques that are rarely seen outside private collections anywhere in the world.”

The winning car of the 2016 Concours, a mid-1980s De Tomaso Pantera GT5, will also be on display.

One intriguing entry is an SS 100 from 1939 - the first sports-car from William Lyons' Swallow Side Car Company. After the Second World War, the SS name had nasty connotations, so Lyons reformed the company as Jaguar Cars Limited, in Coventry, England, after first politely checking with Armstrong Siddeley that its 14-cylinder air-cooled radial Jaguar aircraft engine was indeed out of production.

There will be several examples competing for the overall Concours prize of the iconic E-Type Jaguar, which was touted as “sex on wheels” in the Swinging Sixties, and was famously described as “the most beautiful car I have ever seen” by no less an expert than Enzo Ferrari. Other famous British marques being judged on the Saturday and Sunday will include a pair of Austin Healeys, one of which is said to already boast a World Austin Healey Concours prize in its portfolio.

“In addition to the bigger entry, up 60 percent for only our second Concours, we're delighted that we're already attracting international personalities to Sun City this glamourous event,” said Kennard. “We have South African Robert Coucher, now UK-based, the founding Editor of Octane magazine, as one of the judges, and he'll be joined by Chris Routledge, the head of international auction house Coys of Kensington

“Dietrich Hatlapa, founder of the Historic Automobile Group International, will be addressing our conference on international classic car values, which will open the Concours weekend on Friday morning at Sun City. Other famous personalities at this conference will include economist and political analyst JP Landman, and racing drivers Sarel van der Merwe and Ian Scheckter.

The cars will assemble at the Sun City parking lot adjacent to the main entrance at noon on Friday, 4 August, and between 2.30 and 3.00pm will form up for the Grand Parade, which will see them drive up to the lawns outside the main hotel, to their allotted parking spaces, where they will be protected from grubby fingers by picket fencing for the duration; visitors to Sun City are, however, welcome to view the cars from behind the fences.

The categories for cars competing at Concours South Africa range from cars built before 1920 to cars built until 1995. The exception to this age cut-off is in category for modified vehicles, which will include some more modern renditions. As always, the emphasis will be on attention to detail.

Other cars of interest will include a 1959 Cadillac convertible (yes, it's pink!), a freshly-restored Dino 246 GTB (the Ferrari that was never badged as a Ferrari) and a number of Porsches, both in early 356 and the classic 911 format.

 Prize-giving

The final judging will be completed by noon on Sunday, and, after being verified by the auditors, the results will be announced at the prize-giving on the Sun City lawns from 2.30pm.

Volkswagon Bus Market Growing

By : Jonathan ( Gas Monkey Garage)

Mecum Denver delivered quite a treat in the form of a 1960 Volkswagen 23-window Samba bus. Not only did it end up being one of the most expensive cars sold at the auction, it helped to further solidify the VW bus as an icon.

Ever famous in modern culture from a representation of the ‘60s to dads across the U.S. pointing them out with an anecdote on road trips, the VW bus has remained popular through the years. However, popularity in the automotive world is not always synonymous with value… until now. Going for a cool $120,000 in Denver, this bus is a perfect example of their increasing value.

In fact, over the past three years the value of a 1960 concours level restoration 23-window samba has increased nearly from $70,000 to $154,000. And over $20,000 of that was in the first-quarter of 2017 alone. While concours lever cars aren’t always the most common, this VW model is showing growth across the board, according to Hagerty, especially in the first quarter of 2017, as well.

Hard to say for sure without seeing the Mecum Denver bus in person if it was a bargain at $120,000 or if on the high-end of the “excellent” condition market, but at either cost the market doesn’t seem to be slowing on the Volkswagen 23-window Samba bus.

Single Owner Ferrari Collection For Sale

RM Sotheby’s has announced that it will auction 13 of the most iconic road-going Ferraris as part of its flagship Monterey sale on 18-19 August.

Spanning over 50 years of Ferrari’s rich heritage, all cars boast low-mileage, carefully maintained status, coming directly from a single-owner collection.

The collection spans 50 years of Ferrari heritage from 1961 to 2011 and includes numerous brand icons, like the F40. However, the main attraction, and only one of three that has a reserve, is the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta. Having undergone a concours-level restoration this award winning Ferrari is one of the last made that was eligible to run events such as the 24 Hours of LeMans practically as is.

Dubbed the Ferrari Performance Collection, the group is headlined by a concours-level restored 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta. Chassis no. 2985, a GT variant, is the 110th of 165 ever built. Benefitting from Ferrari Classiche certification and with notable history, including a Platinum award at Cavallino in 2016, the SWB is expected to fetch $8,500,000 – $10,000,000 next month.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta by Scaglietti

Also up for grabs is another respected and famed Sixties Ferrari road car, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta by Scaglietti, chassis no. 10147. Imported to the USA in 1967, and presented in factory-correct Rosso over Pelle Nera with matching-numbers status, this example is complete with original tool roll, handbook and Ferrari Classiche certification ($2,750,000 – $3,250,000).

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB:4 by Scaglietti

On the more modern end of the scale, a two-owner, 2,800-mile 1991 Ferrari F40, chassis no. 87895 will join the lot. One of just 213 U.S.-specification F40s ever produced, complete with luggage, tools, books, its original invoice and in exemplary condition, it will cross the block with an estimate of $1,300,000 – $1,500,000 (offered without reserve).

1991 Ferrari F40

No road-going Ferrari collection would be complete without a Ferrari 512 BBi, of which the Ferrari Performance Collection has two. Leading the pair, and following the low-mileage theme, is a 1982 Ferrari 512 BBi, which was imported to the USA from new and has covered just 553 miles. Collecting many Concours-related silverware including the 2006 Coppa GT, Platinum and Coppa Bella Macchina awards from the Ferrari Club of America Annual Meeting at Chantilly, this car, chassis no. 48723, has an enviable history file and with such low mileage, is estimated to bring $375,000 - $450,000 (offered without reserve).

1984 Ferrari 512 BBi

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta – Est. $8,500,000 – $10,000,000
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta by Scaglietti – Est. $2,750,000 – $3,250,000
1969 Ferrari Dino 206 GT – Est. $650,000 – $750,000
1991 Ferrari F40 – Est. $1,300,000 – $1,500,000 (Offered without reserve)
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO – Est. $700,000 – $800,000 (Offered without reserve)
1984 Ferrari 512 BBi – Est. $375,000 – $450,000 (Offered without reserve)
2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica – Est. $375,000 – $450,000 (Offered without reserve)
2009 Ferrari 16M Scuderia Spider – Est. $350,000 – $400,000 (Offered without reserve)
1984 Ferrari 512 BBi – Est. $275,000 – $325,000 (Offered without reserve)
2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale – Est. $275,000 – $325,000 (Offered without reserve)
2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia – Est. $250,000 – $300,000 (Offered without reserve)
1976 Ferrari 308 GTB ‘Vetroresina’ – Est. $175,000 – $225,000 (Offered without reserve)
1989 Ferrari 328 GTS – Est. $90,000 – $120,000 (Offered without reserve)

Dodge Viper dies forever on the 31 August

It's over: the Dodge Viper dies forever on August 31

The end is nigh for an American sports car icon: the Dodge Viper will officially exit production on August 31, 2017, and the Connor Avenue Assembly plant where all Vipers have been built will be closed for good.

Phase SR I (1992-1995)

Previously, designer Ralph Gilles let the date slip during a speech at the 2017 Chicago auto show held in February, but this is the first time Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has made the date official, according to ClickOnDetroit.

Phase SR II (1996–2002

The Dodge Viper and its 8.4-liter V-10 engine have been hand-assembled at the facility since the car was launched in 1992, with the current team composed of 87 remaining employees. Fun fact: the short-lived Plymouth Prowler was also built in the assembly plant during its production span from 1999 to 2002. FCA says it anticipates every employee will be offered work at another assembly plant.

The Connor assembly plant's Detroit zip code has also made the Viper the only American sports car actually built in "Motor City." The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro are built elsewhere in Michigan, while Chevy Corvette production now emerges from Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Challenger isn't as American as you'd believe, either—it's assembled in Canada. So is the Ford GT.

Phase ZB I (2003-2007)

Phase ZB II (2008–2010)

The Viper has left an oversized imprint on the automotive industry for the past 25 years. Long known for its untamed nature, the coupe and convertible have always represented a raw piece of American performance, and they've taken on the world in the process.

The Connor assembly will finish building Viper orders specced through the One-of-One program until the plant's closure. Those seeking one last chance to own a piece of history will then have to locate their Dodge Viper through a dealership.

Thanks for the memories, Viper.

Phase VX I (2013-2017)