A 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 that had been sitting on a 30-foot pole outside Audubon Chrysler, Kentucky for nearly 28 years was recently removed for inspection and restoration, and unexpected damage was discovered inside the vehicle. The vehicle first took to the skies in May 1996 as part of a marketing display and has become a local landmark, having been lowered only once before, in 2009.
Dealers initially promoted the Viper as a promotional move, using the bright red sports car as an eye-catching attraction rather than placing it on the sales floor. The car, which has just 12 original miles on the odometer, sat perched high on the estate for decades. In November 2024, 15 years after the last refurbishment, the dealer again arranged to have the car taken down for evaluation. Images shared by local residents documented the demolition process and suggested the restoration work would be more extensive than initially expected.
Upon inspection, the Viper showed significant wear and tear from long-term exposure. The paint had deteriorated and mold was found inside. A complete bird’s nest has been formed in the engine compartment. Despite years of speculation that the high-riding car might be a replica or a shell, the dealer confirmed it’s a complete, authentic Viper.
The vehicle was shipped to Keene Auto Body and Paint for touch-up work, including a complete respray of its red exterior. The aim of the restoration was to restore the car to its original appearance while retaining its status as an identifiable feature of the dealership.
After being refurbished, the Dodge Viper has been returned to show condition, maintaining its role as a long-term dealer visual fixture since 1996.
Via Viper Club of America/Facebook