10 Cool Facts About Joe's '93 Dodge "Viper Defender" - Viper

[@0815Minion]

Damn! Completely forgot the Viper Defender. It was by far my favorite car as a small kid. The red RT10 was great, but the Defender with the white lights was simply stunning! I always believed I would buy an RT10 when I'm old enough to and then tune it to the looks of the Defender. Guess that's a dream which was left in the 90s childhood.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@scottvincent3062]

The 90's were the best decade for tv shows, viper, xena, Hercules, nightman, Conan the barbarian, highlander the series and the others I forgot.

[@R.Sole88109]

I thought Soldier of Fortune, Inc was a good series, S1 better than S2. Tim Abell played Benny Ray Riddle who drove a Red Dodge Ram 3500.

[@CarStarz42]

Well, I'd choose 70's and 80's shows over all of those myself, but I'm old, lol 😉

[@DIRTFan107]

There's a lot of good shows from the 70s, 80s and 90s. CHiPs, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Fall Guy, Street Hawk, Airwolf, Viper, and many others I can't think of right now.

[@adamberndt4190]

Cleopatra 2525, Jack of all trades, and Mutant X were great 'low budget' late night 90s shows.

[@kevinharris-charles4066]

Cobra

[@Hotchi2207]

Man i totally forgot about that show. It was so nice i loved it as kid. Brought me a love the the viper as a hole. Thanks for making this great video!

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and you're welcome 😉👍

[@PsychoCPU]

I always preferred the snake-skin transformation from Season 1. I know the CGI was cheaper, but man it looked so much cooler, like it was actually alive.

[@CarStarz42]

Agreed 😉👍

[@nwvfd22]

Regular Car Reviews had the best take on the gen 1 Viper. Something along the lines of " No traction control. No A.B.S. A Dodge Viper will do exactly what you ask it to do and your destiny is within your two palms. And it is unsympathetic to stupidity." Also, I thought I fever dreamt this show and my wife never believed me. Well WHO REMEBERS EVERYTHING NOW!

[@CarStarz42]

Lol 😉

[@gummywurms226]

I loved this show when I was little. Never forgot it.

[@deeferguson9272]

“fever dreamt” LoL Love it !!!! 😃👍

[@papamike88]

OMG Viper ;) Good old times when I was a polish teenager waiting for a new episode each thursday 8:00 PM after news. Two things that I loved the most - seeing Viper Defender and Heather Medway as detective Cameron Westlake as my teenage crush back in the days ;) I really need to buy a complete DVD set somewhere.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@Brianscoronet]

I really enjoyed this episode, i remember watching the tv series, i cant believe it was 30 years ago already, thanks for the memories.

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you enjoyed it and indeed, time blips by so fast these days it makes my head spin!

[@ericgordon4746]

That was the coolest show. I watched every episode.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@daniellang1513]

I loved this show as a kid in the 90's mostly because i was fascinated with the dodge viper and cars in general. I was deeply saddened when they crashed a dodge stealth in the first episode

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@JSchroederee]

My first thought was I preferred the stealth they crashed in the pilot😂 No shade on the Viper crazy V10 is awesome, but a turbo awd Mitsubishi was cutting edge tech at the time.

[@ramadhanisme7]

This is the show that made me fall in love with viper ❤

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@bofa83]

I was 10 years old when this show came out and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@eyeballdude]

Wow! I had completely forgot this TV-series but the footage brought me right back to my childhood room with was filled with plastic car models kits with some attempts of making replicas of the Viper Defender!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@JackofEire]

Oh, man! What a blast from the past!! I loved this show!! My dad took me to see the Viper Defender when I was a kid at the Carl Casper Custom Auto Show in Louisville, and I got my picture taken with it.

[@CarStarz42]

Nice 😉👍

[@Winters_Folly]

Loved how the show viper had a viper fang grill

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@jasonlotz8246]

I am glad this channel is back. I binged watched the channel when I found it.

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you enjoy it 😉👍

[@thomasrodriguez7803]

I forgot all about this TV series. Thanks for the rollback in time. 👍🏻

[@bbo40]

forgot about it ? I never even heard of it !

[@CarStarz42]

You're very welcome 👍

[@undertow2142]

The “probe drone” was 30 years ahead of its time.

[@CarStarz42]

Had it been a real thing, then indeed, but the idea of something like that has been around for ages, watch my video on the 1966 Green Hornet car 😉

[@markfullerton9890]

I forgot all about this show. It was so good!!!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@adamberndt4190]

It was an emergency blanket we used to "Hide" the v8 not aluminum foil, although not really a big difference! Lol

[@CarStarz42]

Lol 😉

[@Morpheus-pt3wq]

It sort of added to the high-tech feel of the car. Seeing any standard engine, even the Viper V10, would ruin it.

[@danshobbies13]

I enjoyed watching this show. As someone who liked the Viper, this show was right in my wheelhouse.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@ReloadingRADIO]

This tv show made a huge impact on how my life personally and professional turned out. I was obsessed with the viper and defender as a kid because of this show.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@hydrocarbon82]

One thing that really impressed me was the car's drone aka probe. Of all the futuristic things seen in the 90's, I never thought we'd see them just 20yrs later. Now you can get one for a few bucks.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉

[@varzilla1513]

Great Video, Thanks! Like I mentioned before Robert Burns of Too Many Projects offers a 1/25th scale 3D printed resin Viper Defender body that can be used with the interior and chassis of the Viper kit you pictured!

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks, you're welcome and very cool 😉👍

[@bnsfcsxns]

Also Steve Ferrio is doing 3D prints in 1/24 and 1/18 scale

[@CarStarz42]

@@bnsfcsxns Indeed, which I did know about prior to making the video actually, but since he made so few and charges like over $500 for them, I didn't bother mentioning it.

[@bnsfcsxns]

@@CarStarz42 He just added this morning he got some new stuff that will hopefully allow him to charge less.

[@droman608]

Thanks for sharing this video!

[@CarStarz42]

You're very welcome 😉👍

[@DuckReach432]

Great episode of CarStarz. I haven't seen the Viper tv show, but I remember Al Bundy on 'Married with Children' won a Viper (briefly) when his dilapidated old Dodge sedan clocked up one million miles.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and actually in that MWC episode Al "almost" won a Viper, of course he never actually wins much of anything in the series, so it didn't work out for him, lol

[@tvdroid22]

Lamborghini developed V10? As I understand it, they assisted Chrysler with the conversion to an all-aluminum block. The engine itself was based on the Chrysler smallblock V8 (the same 360 often used in the show cars) that had been around since the mid-1960's.

[@CarStarz42]

Yep 😉

[@jay-quinthunder7967]

I love the original Knight Rider and the Crossover transformer action figure! BUT I NEED THIS VIPER TO BE ACROSS OVER TRANSFORMER ACTION FIGURE! I'LL BUY TWO OF THEM!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@CapeRides]

Man those clips from 2:31! Need for speed 1...i was 9 years old. one of my first pc racing games and absolutely loved the tv show. It still looks absolutely stunning and timeless

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@nickgruber2593]

I remember this show. Awesome content your channel is one of the best!

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and glad you're enjoying the channel 😉👍

[@charlesdalton985]

The tale of the lawyer certainly was an interesting twist. I'm glad, but a little surprised, the buyers got to keep their cars. Thank you as always ~ Chuck

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed and glad you enjoyed it Chuck 😉👍

[@jdpoison1986]

Besides MacGyver, this was my favorite show to watch after school. I even own the complete series on DVD. Thank you for this episode,

[@CarStarz42]

Cool and you're very welcome 😉👍

[@bobhill3941]

Great episode, I remember this show as a kid, I also had a black first gen Viper roadster 1:18 scale model I got for Christmas '97.

[@CarStarz42]

Nice 😉👍

[@bobhill3941]

@@CarStarz42 Thanks👍

[@ljmorris6496]

Thanks, this was one of my shows in the '90s

[@CarStarz42]

You're very welcome and glad you enjoyed it 😉👍

[@seanmichael9354]

First seen this show in 1998 it was on late at night though,I was thrilled when I heard they were releasing it on DVD so I could own a TV show from my childhood

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@KadaverRacing]

Thanks a lot for the video, well done, Sir! That thing was so cool, loved the TV Show when i was Young 😎👍🏻

[@CarStarz42]

You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it 😉👍

[@siriusbreak2212]

Ha!!! I remember this bit of madness. There was some merch from the series. My father got me an H/O slot set that was made around this series. It had 2× 1/64th scale slot cars, one being the Defender Viper. It even had a little flashing red light. They also had the ability to pull a 180 and go the opposite direction. You'd go into the corner hot and spin that baby around and go the other way. It was a blast, lol. I think I still have the cars up in the attic.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed and that was also a Tyco product 😉👍

[@silktraink4659]

The second season was filmed in Calgary where I lived in my early 20s. Saw them hauling a 4x4 version downtown on a flatbed for a shoot one night. Was hard to keep my eyes on the road when I just wanted to stare at that beast! :D

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@nater86zx]

I had the Viper TV show electric slot car race track! It came with the Viper defender and a black Dodge Stealth. The defender even has a blinking red LED light.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed and also a Tyco product 😉

[@hydrocarbon82]

I had that too! It was amazing because it would let you 'drift' and spin the car around. My brother & I played with that til the contacts were wearing away.

[@moparpower0788]

I never saw the seasons with joe but I was obsessed with the seasons with Cole when I was a kid. I found 3 vhs tapes with episodes I taped off of USA.

[@CarStarz42]

Yep, Joe was the original and was the main guy in season 1 and came back for season 4 too 😉👍

[@bobtheman4500]

I never even knew about this show.. but it looks awesome!

[@CarStarz42]

It's pretty cool car wise, but don't expect much joy from the awful acting though, lol 😉

[@nitrousoxide69]

Loved this show as a kid because of the Vipers. That first gen RT10 in red with those wheels is still stunning. Cant imagine what people must have thought of it in 1989!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@mistert7958]

I saw it's debut at the Chicago Auto Show... it was a showstopper!!! Also that year was the Miata roll-out, also a crowd favorite.

[@AdamPayne]

Great video .. I remember some of the footage shown of the Viper around the 2:46 mark is from the very first Need For Speed game, presented by Road & Track. It would be great to see the whole series of Viper remastered for BluRay disc, but I don't think that'll ever happen. I'll have to pick up the whole set on DVD at some point as I only ever saw the original first season on TV here in Australia and I don't think they picked it up for the subsequent seasons.

[@CarStarz42]

Thanks and indeed 😉👍

[@jacobemerson8015]

I cant belive I never heard of this show, as a car crazy 6 year old in '94, this would have been right up my alley

[@CarStarz42]

Lol, yep; slipped under the radar of many 😉

[@RamzeesRLST]

That design still looks futuristic.

[@CarStarz42]

Somewhat, or at least "modern day" and quite Tesla-like, lol 😉

[@higherstandard710]

Loved this movie got me to love the viper! I still do to this day!

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@Hurpdurpdipidydoo]

They did a very good job on the modification of those vipers

[@CarStarz42]

True, especially for a TV car 😉👍

[@nottle9852]

There was also a Tyco Viper Electric Racing slot car set. I remember my buddy getting it as a kid and how cool it was

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed and cool 😉👍

[@phatpower]

I was the one that delivered the parts to the viper show when it was filmed in Vancouver BC Canada. They had the 4x4 viper there and a few of the red ones too. I was around 18 or so when this was going on. One other bit I also delivered to the tv Cobra. It was a fun time for me.

[@CarStarz42]

Very cool 😉👍

[@phatpower]

@CarStarz42 in the same warehouse as Viper they had the TV show Cobra car, It's a shame that it had a small Chevy V8 in it. The guys that work there let me sit in on all the vehicles whenever I came by.

[@LittleEddie1]

A die cast 1:24 or 1:32 scale model of this amazing car would be freakin' fantastic. I used to love this show when I was a kid, and I fell in love with Dodge Vipers because of this show. Hopefully Jada Toys and Greenlight makes die cast models of the Defender. I definitely want one.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@danielmarquez4935]

The Viper show was a try at Knight Rider…. Kit will never be forgotten or outdone… But car for car Viper all day 😂

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@davidsentanu7836]

KITT is superior because it looks way bettef than the real Pontiac it based on, while the Viper Defender look pretty cool it's actually look worse than a standard Viper which is one of the most beautiful American car of all time.

[@madrabbit9007]

Off the bat...I watched this show as a kid but I missed a LOT! Had no idea it ran for 4 season! Gotta look it up on Prime!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@madrabbit9007]

@@CarStarz42 seems no one is streaming it. 😢

[@Refort610]

2:33 NFS SE! Man, I loved that game.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@jaybeematthewbacarro9001]

Now this was the car that I remembered before KITT. I love this car even if this one is less popular. I hope to see some Diecast models of this beauty

[@CarStarz42]

😉

[@Douchebigelow666]

Loved the show. It was filmed in and around where I live. I still remember them driving the viper through a local business front doors. Fake glass but still damn still sounded nuts

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@justingindin9438]

Cut scenes from NFS on the PC!!!! The little video you could watch within the game. So cool.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉👍

[@Scoobywrox]

I've actually done what you have suggested taking the AMT model kit a few years ago and custom built it into a Defender varient. Though it was one of my early projects so lots of room for improvment. I actually would like to get another kit to try again.

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@Mr.Constitutionalist427]

I always felt like I was the only person that watched Viper, I was so sad when it was gone.

[@CarStarz42]

A little known show for sure

[@Crylhound]

2:33 The old footage taken from the need for speed gave me some nostalgia 😭

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@1leggeddog]

I remember that show as kid!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@claytonthomas1980]

Love the video, and I will admit that the series was cool to watch and although the transformation wasn't all that,it was worth it though, still great video as well.

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you enjoyed it and indeed 😉

[@bobbydavis2299]

I was an extra on an episode where a red Viper was rolled, wild stunt to see in person! 4 cameras were set up as there was only one take. Most stunts were done at Boundary Bay Airport and there was a large pile of crumpled sheet metal near the set. I remember wondering just how much money was spent just for these stunts...

[@CarStarz42]

Very cool 😉👍

[@anthonylowman9518]

I LOVED this car!!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@85Stang331]

The 4x4,version was based off a Dakota

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@holtpage8226]

Came here to say the same thing, but you beat me to it.

[@tomlevier3615]

It's nice to know some of the custom cars survived the crusher.

[@CarStarz42]

True 😉

[@gsdfan8455]

I wondered why I never heard of this show, but when you said 1994 I figured it out. I was in my twenties and working dark to dark six days a week and boozing in my spare time.

[@CarStarz42]

Ah, ok 😉

[@retrobear9367]

The OG RT/10 is still my fav Viper

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@toddgrogg8005]

Question _ why isn't this great show on Blu-ray??.

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, the show didn't get too much attention, so has yet to make it to Blu-ray indeed.

[@toddgrogg8005]

@CarStarz42 But yet other Tv shows that only last 1 year or less _ go on DVD/Blu-ray. But not this great show??. Riddle me Batman??.

[@chargerdave2046]

I was lucky enough to be on set of this show in Vancouver( Richmond B.C. ) I even have an actor's script for one episode. That Viper was awesome in person

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@4ndy530]

I have the slot car versions on the defender and viper! I wish I hadn't been so rough on them now !

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, those were from Tyco as well 😉

[@kyleterpstra1899]

Sweet car I loved this growing up!

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@johndean2110]

"viper armed". 👍

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@heidihobear]

From what I remember being a fan of this show and of the car at the time. For the off road defender vipers. I read they used dodge truck chassis with the body on them.

[@CarStarz42]

For some of them; yeah, as I mentioned in the video 😉👍

[@LongIslandMopars]

This was Chrysler's version of Knight Rider minus the artificial intelligence aspect of the vehicle. I never watched this show but I remember when the Viper prototype paced the Indy 500 after the public backlash over the Dodge Stealth. The prototype V10 was actually based on a 360 V8 with 2 extra cylinders.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉

[@Dex99SS]

Those really are some uniquely functional show cars... Rarely are they this well finished, or this fully functional. That corrupt lawyer did some real good deeds there, getting these things into the world.

[@CarStarz42]

I suppose so, in a way 😉

[@captlazer5509]

I requested this one! Thanks. Yes, cheese TV show, but I just watched it for the cars. Unless there is a Viper prototype in hiding, the Viper Defender predated the Viper Daytona for a hard top by many years.

[@CarStarz42]

Glad you enjoyed it and indeed 😉👍

[@jeff7.629]

I remember watching this show. There was another show around the same time that had a car that morphed, Black Scorpion. I think that car was a Corvette.

[@nitrousoxide69]

YES!! Was a C3 corvette. I guess that was like the modern version of Xena😂

[@CarStarz42]

Interesting 👍

[@glennnickerson8438]

4 seasons? I thought it was a one season orphan. Only watched it a couple of times. The A Team though should have gone on for decades!😆

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed, it got dropped a time or two from networks, but they did manage to drag it on through four seasons.

[@mythos000000025]

Man I saw an illegal one driving in Dallas around the early 2000's late 1990's, was really surprised as I thought the show was done

[@CarStarz42]

Interesting

[@infinition]

I got to see this car in person at a car show when I was 8 or 9 years old. I was starstruck!

[@CarStarz42]

Nice 😉👍

[@Amy-r2l]

Besides Walker Texas Ranger, this was my favorite show as a kid

[@CarStarz42]

Cool 😉👍

[@Prodriver33]

I loved this show, and stealth or whatever it was called pretty much the same show but with a black mk4 supra without a spoiler (wing) on the back which I always thought looked amazing.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@MotoWilliams]

Mom can we get some Knight Rider? We have Knight Rider at home 😂

[@CarStarz42]

😉

[@RubberTheRedneck]

I find it cool they used weld rims on the off road version

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, had to be pretty tough for those jumps anyway 😉

[@edmaphet6]

This show is now out on DVD also there is a RC slot car of the Viper Defender and Sadly James McCaffrey passed away 12-17-23 at the age of 65. RIP Joe Astor / Michael Payton.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed.

[@hybridt]

This show made me love the viper as a kid but as an adult by the time i understood cars i would never buy one unless it was a defender 😂

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@TylerGamer765]

18 months ain’t bad for 72 vehicles I’d take that deal!😂

[@CarStarz42]

Lol, true, but I'm sure all that money gotten eaten up via fines and such anyway, so not worth it in that case.

[@KidApoc]

I think your best bet,would be if Ramen Toy adds the Defender in their future lineup.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@lillepercon86]

I totally forgot about this show

[@CarStarz42]

Many have

[@nomo3tc]

Not sure if anyone else mentioned it but Tyco also made a slot car defender viper. Think you could get it in a set with a stealth or by itself.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed they did, and yep, about half a dozen or so others mentioned that too 😉

[@abraham400sb]

I remember watching the Need for Speed viper videos

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@moseshancock3336]

I remember this show.

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@scooter2nc]

The off-road car was always my favorite. I used to argue it was better than KITT. 😂

[@CarStarz42]

😉👍

[@CruizersMotorsports]

You forgot the other toys from Tyco that had all the licensing from the show.

[@CarStarz42]

I chose the best looking one as the slot cars and such just didn't look as good 😉

[@SNOWDUDE13]

Seeing the Road and Track footage for the original NFS game ❤❤

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉👍

[@thomasdaddio741]

Knight Viper !

[@CarStarz42]

Pretty much 😉

[@taskmaster58]

I think it was the bring a trailer Defender that I saw on line for sale, I believe that it said that it could be used for show only and couldn't be registered because there was no VIN.

[@CarStarz42]

Indeed 😉

[@justincooper5189]

Was there ever a body kit made for sale for the viper or viper GTS? That might get a few more of these cars out there. Maybe if someone modified the kit to allow the V10 to run a normal operating temp, more people would want it. I've honestly never been a big fan of the silver, but that blue on the GTS you showed was nice and would have potential on that kit.

[@CarStarz42]

Not sure about body kits, definitely not any to replicate the Defender at least or there would probably be some replicas out there and yeah that blue is nice indeed 😉👍

[@tims72demon]

I remember watching one episode. And never watched any more. I always watched car movies and tv shows. Sorry. But I watch all of your episodes here 👍

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, not much talent in the show for sure, but it did have some cool vehicles at least, thanks for watching anyway 😉👍

[@WW-wf8tu]

I never watched the show. Barely remember there was this show. But I think it is way cooler of a car than the Night Rider Trans Am hero car. lol GL to anyone trying to replicate this sucker tho. $$$$$ Also, if you have not already looked into it, there is a guy from the Netherlands that build an actual RC full sized DMC Delorean. I like fact #9. Wish I had that game now.

[@CarStarz42]

Yeah, it wasn't a too well known show and I did see that full scale RC Delorean video awhile back, super awesome 😉👍

[@kananisha]

Ahh the Knight Rider "lite" show lol

[@CarStarz42]

Lol, indeed 😉