Chrysler Orders Schools to Destroy Donated Vipers
Chrysler has instructed US schools to scrap around 93 Dodge Vipers previously donated for educational use, citing liability and obsolescence concerns.
Chrysler has demanded that dozens of Dodge Vipers previously donated to US educational institutions be destroyed, after determining that the cars have outlived their value as training tools and now pose a liability risk for the company. The directive, issued in early 2014, affects around 93 vehicles distributed to schools across the country as part of Chrysler's technical training initiatives.
Liability and Obsolescence Behind the Decision
The Vipers, many of which are early pre-production cars, were originally provided to colleges and technical programmes to help students gain hands-on automotive experience. However, Chrysler remains the legal owner of the vehicles and is potentially liable for any incidents involving them. According to the company, the decision to order their destruction comes after reports of some cars being involved in accidents while in student hands, though Chrysler officially denied that such incidents were the main reason. Instead, the company said the cars are now obsolete as training tools, with their technology no longer reflecting current automotive standards.
A statement from Chrysler emphasised that the company continues to preserve historically significant Vipers in its own collection, but none of the donated vehicles were considered suitable for preservation. Many of the cars lack emissions controls and speed limiters, with some examples producing up to 600 horsepower, far above the output of early production Vipers, which were rated at 400 horsepower from their V10 engines.
Historical Value and Collector Frustration
The order has frustrated some enthusiasts and institutions, particularly where the donated Vipers have unique historical value. One example at South Puget Sound Community College is believed to be the fourth Viper ever built, with reports that high-profile collectors such as Jay Leno have previously expressed interest in acquiring it. Despite this, Chrysler has insisted on destruction rather than allowing the cars to enter private hands, citing ongoing liability and the cars’ non-compliance with road safety and emissions regulations.
The situation highlights the complications that can arise when manufacturers retain ownership of high-performance vehicles used outside of controlled environments. With the Viper's production history and performance credentials, the loss of these cars has drawn criticism from both educators and car enthusiasts. For more on the latest Viper models and Chrysler's approach to the brand, see2013 Viper Launches as Standalone SRT Brand, Marking Shift for Chrysler.
