# Chrysler / Dodge Viper GTS-R (1996–2005)

- Source: https://racingcarnetwork.com/wiki/dodge-viper-gts-r/
- Publisher: Racing Car Network (racingcarnetwork.com), the race car marketplace
- Type: car · Brand: Dodge
- Discipline: gt-racing, historic-racing
- Series: gt1, le-mans
- Era: 1990s
- Last updated: 2026-11-06

Front-engined V10 GT race car developed by Chrysler with Oreca and Reynard, raced from 1996 to the mid-2000s. It won FIA GT, ALMS and Le Mans class titles and Daytona outright in 2000. Today it is a sought-after entry for 1990s-2000s GT historic grids, with values driven by chassis history.

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8.0-litre (7,998 cc) Viper V10, OHV, naturally aspirated, front-mounted [0] |
| Power | About 600 hp in restricted race trim; 600-770 hp quoted across versions [0][1] |
| Weight | 1,150 kg quoted for the GTS-R; later wide-body GT1 cars quoted near 1,000 kg [0][7] |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (BorgWarner T56 or Tremec); many cars later fitted with Holinger or Quaife sequential units [0][5][7] |
| Chassis | Steel tubular spaceframe, double wishbones and coil springs front and rear [0] |
| Brakes | Ventilated Brembo discs in period spec; some cars later updated to carbon brakes [2] |
| Years | 1996-2005 [0] |
| Class | GT2 / GTS (FIA GT, ACO, ALMS); some cars later upgraded to GT1 [0][4] |
| Built | 57 in total, five of them prototypes; Oreca built 18 chassis [0] |

## History

Chrysler showed the Viper GTS-R at the 1995 Pebble Beach Concours. The project joined Chrysler with Oreca in France and Reynard Motorsport in Britain. Reynard supplied the basic chassis, while Oreca built, ran and maintained the cars [0]. The race debut came at the 1996 Daytona 24 Hours, where the Canaska Southwind entry finished 29th [0].

Oreca turned the car into the benchmark of the GT2 and GTS classes. Vipers took the FIA GT class titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999, then again in 2001 and 2002 [0]. At Le Mans the #53 Oreca car won GT2 in 1998, finishing 11th overall [12]. The #51 car of Beretta, Wendlinger and Dupuy won GTS in 1999 and 2000 [13][14]. In February 2000, chassis C21 won the Daytona 24 Hours outright [10].

In the USA, Dodge-badged Oreca cars won the first two American Le Mans Series GTS titles in 1999 and 2000 [0]. Factory backing ended in 2001, but privateers kept racing the cars [0]. Oreca built a batch of customer chassis, numbered C25 to C38, in 2000 [4]. Teams such as Carsport Holland ran them in FIA GT, and French teams raced them in the FFSA GT championship until about 2006 [4][7].

Late-life cars often received the Oreca Evo kit, wider tracks, sequential gearboxes and GT1 upgrades [2][5]. After the road Viper was redesigned in 2003, Dodge offered the Oreca-built Viper Competition Coupe to GT3 rules. That car is a different, less extreme machine [0]. Today GTS-Rs race in Endurance Racing Legends and similar grids [8], and documented works cars now sell above one million dollars [1].

## Palmarès

Viper GTS-Rs won FIA GT class titles in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002, plus the ALMS GTS titles of 1999 and 2000 and the 1998 British GT title [0]. Oreca cars won their Le Mans class in 1998 (11th overall), 1999 (by seven laps) and 2000 (7th overall) [12][13][14]. Chassis C21 won the 2000 Daytona 24 Hours outright after five ALMS GTS class wins in 1999 [10]. Chassis C20 won three FIA GT rounds in 1999, then the FFSA GT titles of 2000 and 2001 with Dominique Dupuy [2].

## What to check before you buy

Match the chassis plate to a published race record entry by entry: Values depend on chassis history, and works cars are worth far more than customer cars. Chassis-by-chassis records exist online. Confirm whether the car actually raced at Le Mans or only in FIA GT: Le Mans entries used different chassis and spec from FIA GT cars, and a Le Mans class winner sits at the top of the value range. Ask for FFSA or FIA papers and restoration invoices: The $1.2 million C20 came with a 2004 FFSA passport and documents back to 2007. Get engine and gearbox hours since last rebuild, with the builder's invoice: The C38 car was marketed with about 11 hours on a 2010 engine and gearbox rebuild; hours drive the next big bill. List the spares package in writing: Dealers separate a basic spares kit from a larger parts package that costs extra. Check the car's current spec against the grid you plan to enter: Upgraded GT1 or Evo cars may not match the period spec an organiser or concours expects. Do not assume a festival entry comes with the car: Goodwood said entry to its 2023 Members' Meeting GT1 demo was not guaranteed and would be decided with the new owner.

## Did you know

- The GTS-R was first shown to the public at the 1995 Pebble Beach Concours [0].
- At Le Mans in 1999, Vipers filled the top six places in the GTS class [13].
- Daytona 2000 winner C21 had taken five ALMS GTS class wins in the 1999 season [10].

## Frequently asked questions

**Is every car called 'Viper GTS-R' a race car?** No. In 1998 Dodge sold a road-going GTS-R edition of 100 cars to mark the 1997 FIA GT2 title. It has a road VIN and a 465 hp engine. One sold for $86,800 in 2018, a fraction of a race chassis price.

**What makes one race GTS-R worth more than another?** Chassis history. Works Oreca cars with FIA GT wins or Le Mans class wins sit at the top. Customer chassis built in 2000 for private teams usually sell for less. Original period spec and documented restoration also add value.

**How often does the V10 need a rebuild?** No factory figure is published. One dealer describes dozens of hours between overhauls. A complete engine rebuild cost about €35,000 in 2010 on one car. Ask for the builder's invoice and hours since rebuild before you buy.

**Where can I race a GTS-R today?** Peter Auto lists the GTS-R for Endurance Racing Legends. Dealers also list Le Mans Classic, Masters Endurance Legends and HSR's Daytona and Sebring classics. Each organiser checks spec and papers, so confirm acceptance before buying.

**Is the Viper Competition Coupe the same car?** No. The Competition Coupe came after the 2003 road car redesign. Oreca built it to GT3 rules, so it is milder than the GT2/GTS-R. Some teams converted them for GT2, but Dodge did not support that.

## Sources

- Chrysler Viper GTS-R — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Viper_GTS-R
- 1999 Chrysler Viper GTS-R (C20) market profile — https://www.sportscarmarket.com/profile/1999-chrysler-viper-gts-r
- Chrysler Viper GTS-R C20 finds a buyer at $1.2 million after a long market journey — https://www.clubalfa.it/en/chrysler-viper-gts-r-c20-finds-a-buyer-at-1-2-million-after-a-long-market-journey-35230
- One to Buy: Triple FIA GT race-winning ex-Oreca 1999 Chrysler Viper GTS-R — https://supercarnostalgia.com/blog/one-to-buy-triple-fia-gt-race-winning-ex-oreca-1999-chrysler-viper-gts-r
- 2006 Chrysler Viper GTS-R GT1 C37 — https://en.ascottcollection.com/viper-gtsr-gt1-c37
- Viper GTS-R C39 — https://en.ascottcollection.com/viper-gts-r-c39
- This Dodge Viper GTS-R is your ticket to an 80MM demo — https://www.goodwood.com/grr/race/historic/this-dodge-viper-gts-r-is-your-ticket-to-an-80mm-demo/
- 2000 Oreca Viper GTS-R GT1 (Bonhams lot 620) — https://www.lotsearch.net/lot/2000-oreca-viper-gts-r-gt1-59610202
- Endurance Racing Legends — https://www.peterauto.fr/en/competition/endurance-racing-legends
- 1998 Dodge Viper GTS-R, Monterey 2018 lot 273 — https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo18/lots/r0148-1998-dodge-viper-gtsr/
- Chassis GTSR-C21 race history — https://www.racingsportscars.com/chassis/archive/GTSR-C21.html
- Chassis GTSR-C35 race history — https://www.racingsportscars.com/chassis/archive/GTSR-C35.html
- 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans
- 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans
- 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans
- Viper ACR-X — https://racingcarnetwork.com/race-car/viper-acr-x/
- Dodge Viper GTS-R C20 — https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/chassis/3693/Dodge-Viper-GTSR-C20.html

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