Dodge may make the Viper its own brand

The Dodge Viper was put on the chopping block as Chrysler restructures. It’s hard to blame Chrysler for killing its spartan supercar. American car companies are in the fight for their lives. A hand-built low-volume sports car may look good in the window, but it won’t pay the electric bill.

But the Viper’s story may not be over. Chrysler announced today the possibility of selling the Viper as its own brand to a new company. “We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler LLC. “Viper is an integral part of this Company’s heritage… our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great vehicle.”

This would not be the first time an American car would live on without its parent company. When Studebaker closed its doors in 1966, its Corvette fighting Avanti proved the to be the car that wouldn’t die. Although Studebaker’s initial troubles producing the fiberglass boded Avanti may have actually killed the company, the last incarnation of the independent Avanti was produced in 2007.

The Viper is dead. Long live the Viper!