Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Chrysler Viper RHD

It's a pain that so many desirable cars are only available in the UK with left-hand drive, but in Australia motors with the steering wheel on the 'wrong' side are illegal. If you want to drive a Chrysler Viper down-under, you have to have it converted.

By Dave Morley

October 2002

It's a pain that so many desirable cars are only available in the UK with left-hand drive, but in Australia motors with the steering wheel on the 'wrong' side are illegal. If you want to drive a Chrysler Viper down-under, you have to have it converted.

Which is what Chrysler's Australian importer is doing. It replaces 64 parts including the pedal assembly, and puts in a new moulded dash. Having driven the finished product, it's fair to say that the right-hand-drive Viper is every bit as good as the original. The workmanship is first class and matches or betters the factory finish. And that old Viper fault of a steering wheel offset relative to the driver's seat has gone in RHD form. Everything else is just as crazy as ever, with 450bhp and 650Nm of torque driving through a six-speed manual, and all wrapped up in an outrageous composite two-seater body.

But the car took so long to develop that this-shape Viper is now out of production, meaning only used examples can be reworked. The Australians are already planning a conversion for the 2003 model year version, though, and owners of the current car could ship it to the other side of the world for the side-swap op. Well, you have to be crazy and rich to drive a Viper...

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Sponsored Results

FIRST OPINION

    Chrysler Australia's official RHD conversion of the Viper would massively increase its appeal to UK buyers, even if it does up the cost of a finished car to £100,000. The swap is professional, and improves the build quality and driving position without diminishing the thrills.
 
- Advertisement -