Home » How This Untouched 1996 Dodge Viper V10 Engine Became A Completely Pointless Collectible

How This Untouched 1996 Dodge Viper V10 Engine Became A Completely Pointless Collectible

Viper Engine For Sale Ts5
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Dodge blew minds all the way back in the early 1990s when it released a V10-powered weapon named after a deadly snake. That engine was beloved for its bonkers 8.0-liters of displacement and the 400 horsepower it could deliver straight to the rear wheels. Hilariously, back in the early days, a clerical error saw one of these proud engines languishing in a crate, forgotten, and it never got fitted to a vehicle. As covered by Silodrome, that same engine, still untouched, is now up for sale on Bring a Trailer.

You want to know what’s even funnier? It’s not the first time this engine has gone on sale. In fact, this very engine was sold by Bring a Trailer last year, for the reasonable sum of $16,000. Now it’s being auctioned again, still having never been fitted to a vehicle.

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

It seems, then, that this bold red V10 is always the bridesmaid, and never the bride. Like me, you might be wishing for this snake to snarl and sing one day, powering some devilish roadster down the blacktop—but I wouldn’t hold your breath. The story behind this one is a humdinger.

V10 Engine Lolguy
The engine, pictured with (presumably) the guy who ordered the thing by mistake. And a tube of red touch-up paint.

As Bring a Trailer told us last July, the engine, serial number 6M80L/A03270813, was built by Dodge in 1996 as a crate engine. It was intended for use as a replacement for warranty or repair work. The part number was 05245801. The engine was sold complete with an alternator, power steering pump, AC compressor, oil-filter housing, starter motor, ignition hardware, exhaust manifolds, and all the necessary accessory pulleys. As you’d expect for a crate engine, the throttle bodies and exhausts were plugged to keep foreign material out. It was acquired by the then-seller in 2021, and they’d decided to move it on.

When posted last year, the auction listing included a video that told more of the backstory. It’s since been hidden on YouTube. Thankfully, The Drive reported on the engine’s amusing history at the time. Apparently, a Dodge dealership employee had been attempting to order a tube of red touch-up paint, but fumbled the order number and ordered a Viper crate engine instead. The engine arrived at the dealership but never got installed in a car as there was no car waiting to receive it. It was all a big mistake. The engine bounced around several owners in the subsequent years, eventually ending up on that auction in July 2023, where it sold for $16,000.

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V10enginerlastyear2023
The engine, as it appeared on Bring a Trailer in 2023.

Now the engine is back on Bring a Trailer. It appears the current owner has grown tired of hanging on to an expensive crate engine that is likely only serving as a mildly amusing conversation starter. Thus, they’re trying to move it on and recoup some money in turn.

Bidding sits at $7,200 at the time of writing, with two days remaining. That’s well below what it sold for last year, but the auction’s not over yet.

The engine is still in never-run condition, with the throttle body and exhaust covers still in place. It still sits on a tubular steel stand with lifting eyes bolted on to the heads. It’s worth noting, though, that the decades have taken a minor toll. The “VIPER” script on the heads is looking tarnished and worn. The exhaust manifolds are showing some rust, too, as is the pressure plate. Various other metal fittings and fixtures aren’t looking the freshest either.

Dodveviperv10in2024 (3)
The devil is in the details.
V10tired
“Don’t you think she looks tired?”

I’m going to be quite honest with you. You should probably not buy this engine. Why? Because you cannot win. Yes, this thing is a one-of-a-kind museum piece. It’s a completely untouched crate motor from the dawn of the Viper. The problem is that this engine can only get worse from here. As it stands, many metal components on it are showing signs of degradation, and the rubber hoses are looking particularly poor, too. No surprise after almost 30 years.

If you buy this thing, one of two things will happen. Let’s explore both scenarios.

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Dodveviperv10in2024 (1)
Short of storing this thing in a thermally-controlled chamber, it’s hard to imagine how you could have stopped the degradation seen here.
Dodveviperv10in2024 (7)
Doesn’t seem right to have it just sitting on wet tarmac.

Dodveviperv10in2024 (2)

V10tired2
It’s quite dusty and dirty for a technically new, never-run crate engine.

Let’s say you want to run it in something. You install it in a car. That will ruin its value as a “never-run” engine. Plus, you’ll have to go over the whole thing beforehand, because various seals and pipes have probably all dry-rotted out. The state of the assembly lube in the engine is also questionable. You could try and run it as is, but it could throw a belt, spring a leak, or maybe even seize something. It’s probably a great engine with the right attention, but you could buy newer Viper engines without these problems, and you wouldn’t be spoiling a one-of-one donk.

The other scenario is that you buy it as a museum piece. That’s a bad idea, too. The engine is already looking a few degrees below “immaculate.” It won’t be long before some of the plastic clips and rubber hoses start literally falling apart. At that point, you’ll have to change some of those parts to keep the engine “complete” and in doing so, it will no longer be an all-original never-run Viper engine. You lose, again!

V10cratelol
The crate is pretty battered, too.

The only person who should buy this is a rich YouTuber who needs a gimmick for people to click on. Buy this thing, stuff it in a Crown Victoria, and enjoy your endless pile of money, race cars, and adoring fans.  Do a burnout, take some photos, and drop me a line with the story of how you got it running. You and I can at least get some positives out of this silly collectible. After all, let’s admit it. This thing is really just a waste of a good engine. Rev it up and let it live so this nonsense can end.

Image credits: Bring a Trailer

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Robert Runyon
Robert Runyon
13 days ago

You know those big ol V8 choppers? Show em who’s “Boss”.

67 Oldsmobile
67 Oldsmobile
22 days ago

I don’t really see the issue here. Provided that it goes for a reasonable amount of money (I can’t bother to check what a Viper engine costs),it shouldn’t be too hard to tear it down to replace gaskets and seals and stuff it in a 1967 Oldsmobile Delta88 for example and kick some tire’s ass.

Urban Runabout
Urban Runabout
24 days ago

Does nobody dust anymore?

James Thomas
James Thomas
24 days ago

Autopian should buy it and stuff it into David’s Pontiac Aztec van…. then send him to the drag strip!

Tagarito
Tagarito
23 days ago
Reply to  James Thomas

It’s the best way to fix an engine that revs on its own

Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
25 days ago

Yeah, what a waste! If I had a lot of $, I would buy it and for the principle of the matter, would stuff it in an SRT-10 truck or Viper. Then I would drive it a lot well into the hundreds of thousands of miles since it was MEANT TO BE DRIVEN!!!

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
25 days ago

“Viper engine for sale, never run”

Fan of (fictional) Hemingway short stories, I take it.

Manwich Sandwich
Manwich Sandwich
25 days ago

 Buy this thing, stuff it in a Crown Victoria DODGE CHARGER and enjoy your endless pile of money,”

I’d much rather see that V10 installed in a Mopar product of some sort… not something using the shitty (compared to the LX) Panther platform.

ADDvanced
ADDvanced
25 days ago

I think it really depends on how much it costs to rebuild a Viper engine. If you own a viper with low miles and you have a rod failure, this could be a very smart purchase…. but again, I have no idea how much it costs to rebuild a viper engine. Aircooled 911 engines now cost 20-30k to rebuild…. so… yeah.

John Patson
John Patson
25 days ago

Too heavy for an airplane, but could go in some boats… Or use the grunt it should have to power a genny for the days when the sun does not shine, there is no wind, and you just know that the crazies are out to get you…

Widgetsltd
Widgetsltd
25 days ago

I can’t help but wonder which dealer ordered this originally. In the picture of the engine with the guy holding the touch-up paint, you can see shelves labeled “Corona” and “Moreno Valley.” I live in Corona, California and Moreno Valley is nearby; it must have been one of my local dealers!
Update: This supposedly happened in Riverside, CA. Craigslist Viper V10 Engine Has Mysterious Origin – DodgeForum.com

Last edited 25 days ago by Widgetsltd
Shooting Brake
Shooting Brake
25 days ago

“It belongs in a museum!!”

Baltimore Paul
Baltimore Paul
25 days ago

So what was the correct part number for the touchup paint?

Chronometric
Chronometric
25 days ago

This applies double to any Dodge Demon or Indy Pace Car Corvette stashed in a plastic bubble.

Lizardman in a human suit
Lizardman in a human suit
25 days ago
Reply to  Chronometric

I have an irrational desire to buy bubble carsand drive the living @&>/ out of them until they fall apart. And if anyone throws a fit about ruining the value of it, I’ll just say I’m doing investors a favor. One less rare care means the rest become more valuable. But mostly I just hate seeing cars in bubbles not getting love.

Captain Muppet
Captain Muppet
25 days ago

That’s a pretty engine.

Modern engines mostly look like plumbing and sensors, and are covered with bland slabs of NVH plastic. It makes me sad.

PaysOutAllNight
PaysOutAllNight
25 days ago

I don’t see it as pointless or collectible. I see the prior purchases as pointless, if bought to be a collectible.

It’s just waiting for a chassis. I’m sure this will find its way into a vehicle. Probably a Viper but maybe something odd to be interesting.

I’d sooner have a never run NOS engine than a ratty oil burner.

It’s just a question of time and price, because eventually the cost of minor refurbishment of this paperweight will drop lower than the cost of building up some other used longblock.

Angry Bob
Angry Bob
25 days ago

Build a motorcycle out of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9KIxKP0Wlw

V10omous
V10omous
25 days ago

 but you could buy newer Viper engines without these problems

You could, but get ready to bend over.

https://www.viperpartsrackamerica.com/index.php/products/2010-dodge-viper-gen-4-acr-x-crate-engine-640-hp

NC Miata NA
NC Miata NA
25 days ago

Apparently Dodge had a guy in the factory who was cutting cardboard with a pair of scissors into header outlet covers for Viper crate motors.

ChefCJ
ChefCJ
25 days ago

Let’s just pool our money and buy this thing and fit it into Jason’s Pao. What a hilariously stupid use of this engine, it would be glorious

Totally not a robot
Totally not a robot
25 days ago
Reply to  ChefCJ

Or rather, we’ll try to fit the Pao around this thing.

ChefCJ
ChefCJ
25 days ago

I’m thinking rear engine set up, and then we’ll have to just fill the entire engine bay with concrete as a counter-balance

M0L0TOV
M0L0TOV
25 days ago
Reply to  ChefCJ

A Pao-wer Wagon if you will. I know it’s a hatch but it just sounds better.

ChefCJ
ChefCJ
25 days ago
Reply to  M0L0TOV

Chef’s kiss naming right here

M0L0TOV
M0L0TOV
25 days ago
Reply to  ChefCJ

I aim to please!

IRegertNothing, Esq.
IRegertNothing, Esq.
25 days ago
Reply to  ChefCJ

We’d have to cut the Pao in half length-wise to fit it around that engine. We know Jason is handy with a chainsaw and doesn’t worry about whether or not the chainsaw is the right tool for the job, so there’s step 1 taken care of.

PajeroPilot
PajeroPilot
24 days ago
Reply to  ChefCJ

The Pao? Way too practical. Stick it in the Changli!

Hotdoughnutsnow
Hotdoughnutsnow
25 days ago

… or stretch the engine bay of a Miata.

Turbotictac
Turbotictac
25 days ago

There are cheaper ways to build a coffin

ChefCJ
ChefCJ
25 days ago
Reply to  Turbotictac

Or just power a coffin with this engine, cut out the middleman

Lizardman in a human suit
Lizardman in a human suit
25 days ago
Reply to  ChefCJ

Go full grandpa munster! Hell yess!

Last edited 25 days ago by Lizardman in a human suit
Anoos
Anoos
25 days ago

As a display item, I think I’d rather have a prettier non-running engine. I’d honestly rather have it without internal components like crank, pistons, cams, valves, etc just to make it lighter to move.

I guess if I had an ultra-low mile early Viper I could get obsessed and drop this in. It would be a bad idea, and would end up costing a full rebuild / refresh as well as the cost of the motor. In the end, the car would still be less original but it would have a slightly more interesting story.

Only barely more interesting, and only interesting to someone willing to sit through the story. It would basically be reserved for the white New Balance crowd.

Jonathan Hendry
Jonathan Hendry
25 days ago
Reply to  Anoos

It’d be cool to arrange it like an “exploded diagram” with various parts hanging in space.

Anoos
Anoos
24 days ago

That would be. But I’d want to display all the parts and I do not have a room to devote to an engine-based art installation.

It would be a very cool project to do at a smaller scale with 3d printed parts.

Jonathan Hendry
Jonathan Hendry
24 days ago
Reply to  Anoos

Maybe do it as a chandelier.

Maymar
Maymar
25 days ago

Buy this thing, stuff it in a Crown Victoria

Point of order, the old land yacht we were looking for was Fifth Avenue.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
25 days ago
Reply to  Maymar

It’d be a tough fit in an M-body. Maybe a ’78 Newport, last of the hardtop dinosaurs.

SoCoFoMoCo
SoCoFoMoCo
25 days ago
Reply to  Maymar

I think a V-10 MK III Continental would be pretty amazing!

Maymar
Maymar
25 days ago
Reply to  SoCoFoMoCo

I believe there’s someone here who’s mentioned their dream engine swap as a V10 ’81 Imperial, which I’m fully here for.

SoCoFoMoCo
SoCoFoMoCo
25 days ago
Reply to  Maymar

Ha, I’m behind that for the pure silliness, but a mid-60s Imperial would be my choice. The interiors in those are crazy cool and they’re kinda mean looking for a luxo-boat!

Wolfpack57
Wolfpack57
25 days ago
Reply to  SoCoFoMoCo

I’d have to go for the Fuselage body imperial, myself.

DV
DV
25 days ago

Museum pieces often require ongoing maintenance; replacing the rubber components with new parts isn’t anything scandalous. We deal with this in vintage computing all the time. Capacitors need replacing, batteries need removal, cases need cosmetic restoration due to aging. So long as the rubber components are replaced with new, in-kind replacements and documented as such, it’d be fine.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
25 days ago
Reply to  DV

Like a 1996 Buick Century with 34,000 miles. Runs great, mint interior, granny has tons of receipts. But every single rubber part on the car needs to go.

DV
DV
25 days ago

I’m currently on vacation in Japan and I saw the cleanest mid-90s Century wagon in Ueno. Maroon on grandma maroon and showroom fresh. Even six thousand miles away I can’t escape the GM A-Body, the cockroach of the American Highway.

Jonathan Hendry
Jonathan Hendry
25 days ago
Reply to  DV

Adam Savage’s videos on YouTube, visiting with the arms and armor department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, are fascinating.

The Middle Eastern chainmail with text from the Koran stamped on every single ring is amazing.

RecoveringGTV6MaratonaOwner
RecoveringGTV6MaratonaOwner
24 days ago
Reply to  DV

Hey, I still have the original Osborne portable computer/suitcase that we got when I was a kid, including the software. Is that the kind of vintage computing hardware you deal with?

Last edited 24 days ago by RecoveringGTV6MaratonaOwner
DV
DV
24 days ago

Yes, although I’m not an Osborne expert.

4jim
4jim
25 days ago

Wait, What? There are collectibles that are NOT pointless and stupid?

Bags
Bags
25 days ago
Reply to  4jim

Hey man, you’ll be laughing when these Pokémon cards put my kids through college.

4jim
4jim
25 days ago
Reply to  Bags

Good one. Just this weekend, I was listening to two guys who collect board games, and they were lamenting all the worthless football, hockey, and baseball cards they have in their mom’s attics.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
25 days ago
Reply to  4jim

I have a colleague with an insane collection of Beanie Babies. I really think they’re hanging onto them b/c one day… Of course, probably best to not decorate your work area with these valuable items, but what do I know.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
25 days ago

Or, put it in that Viper sitting up on a pole in Kentucky. After all those decades up on a pole, I’m sure that engine is worn out.

StupidAmericanPig
StupidAmericanPig
25 days ago

This is the correct answer!!!

RataTejas
RataTejas
25 days ago

After all those decades up on a pole, I’m sure that engine is worn out.

That’s what she said…

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