Wednesday 2nd December 2009

Viper GTS Set For PH Show

See Fatboy 18's Viper GTS up close at the NEC in January

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The PistonHeads Performance Car Show is fast approaching, so we thought it was time to whet your appetite a little further with another attendee. We've persuaded PHer Fatboy18 to bring his Dodge Viper to the PH Performance Car Show in January next year.

We asked Fatboy what first attracted him to the Viper. "I have always loved big American cars," he says. "My first car was a Mk2 Ford Capri. It was a UK car, but the the long bonnet and fastback shape made it seem very American. I then purchased a 1976 Chevy Camaro. Again this had the long bonnet and fastback lines I like. In the late 90s I loved watching the Vipers win best in their class at Le Mans."

Fatboy finally got his car after going with a friend to test drive a Corvette. They both found it too soft, so the hunt was on for a Viper. The Viper they eventually found impressed the pair of them and his friend bought it.

This, however, left Fatboy with a hankering for the Viper's power: "Not having the budget for my own Viper I had to get something with at least as much horsepower. This came in the form of a Dax Tojeiro fitted with a TVR Tuscan motor."

The relationship with the Dax didn't go too smoothly: "I had many tales of woe with the Dax, mainly due to the TVR engine. The missus told me to get rid of it and move on to something else."

So it was time for a Viper. He found a car in California and got in touch with the UK Viper Club, who helped with the import process.

Here's why Fatboy18 thinks you should come to the show and see his car: "It's the sprit of the Cobras dreamed up by Carroll Shelby: get a big engine in a car and go out and win Le Mans. Well the Vipers did it! You don't see many of these cars on our roads, so here's a chance for the public to see one up close.

If that's convinced you, visit the PH show website and get some tickets in.

[Blayney]

I've loved Vipers since I was a kid and I'd love to own one some day. That looks like a beast to me. Good stuff.

[Scott330ci]

Slow news day?

[carse]

Think we saw you and what must have been a mate of yours in Le Mans town centre one night (maybe Friday?) coming into the Place de Jacobin? We were in a silver grey Exige and black 330d. Sounded and looked quality. Two thumbs up.

[drewcole81]

ummmm..... not sure about Vipers.

nothing about them really makes me want one.

[Garlick]

Scott330ci said:

Slow news day?

Not really, we do these regularly leading up to the show.

[dibbers006]

Garlick said:

Scott330ci said:

Slow news day?

Not really, we do these regularly leading up to the show

I found it interesting and worthy of Posting


<loves Garlick>

[fishboy]

mutton dressed up as lamb !

[GTSDave]

fishboy said:

mutton dressed up as lamb !

Don't you mean LAMM ...

[LukeBird]

dibbers006 said:

<loves Garlick>

Brown noser...

[dibbers006]

I love WILL as well

[dibbers006]

... and Ted... and the others.

<hugs>

[Garlick]

LukeBird said:

dibbers006 said:

<loves Garlick>

Brown noser...

He'll go far

[PascalBuyens]

"I had many tales of woe with the Dax, mainly due to the TVR engine."


What do you mean with "due to the TVR engine"???? It's the best bit of the Dax ;);)

[NWVT]

Iv lost count how many times this year i hav seen that viper and i always manage to get a pic of it from a different angle love it cant wait to see it at the show

[fatboy18]

PascalBuyens said:

"I had many tales of woe with the Dax, mainly due to the TVR engine."


What do you mean with "due to the TVR engine"???? It's the best bit of the Dax ;);)

The editing powers that be 'cut out' the part where I stated it was a TVR Tuscan challenge series Race Engine, fitted in a road going Dax Bloody fast when it ran But the minute you came across any traffic Well lets just say not good

[GTSDave]

Looks great in the pics Mark

[Frimley111R]

Is it ... pink???

[GTSDave]

No... Definitely Red...

[newdogg06]

I recognise that petrol station. A283 Petworth road? Always think it should have an old man in a rocking chair with a small dog at his feet outside. Would fit with the car to. More Alabama than Surrey!

Nice car. Bet the speed-bump/front splitter relationship is a bit of a problem??!

[fatboy18]

carse said:

Think we saw you and what must have been a mate of yours in Le Mans town centre one night (maybe Friday?) coming into the Place de Jacobin? We were in a silver grey Exige and black 330d. Sounded and looked quality. Two thumbs up.

Yep That was us We were giving French locals free 'Joy rides' around the town square and down the tunnel across the river Then went off for a covert opp to see the Mulsanne straight