I got a Salvaged '94 Viper for my birthday! What was the CAR WIZARD thinking?

[@Rollin8.0]

One minor correction: A Viper will do exactly what you *tell it* to do, which is not always what you *want* it to do.

[@jamdc2000]

like women

[@maxv146]

@@jamdc2000 noo no, that's the opposite

[@jamdc2000]

@@maxv146 dont get it

[@phenomanII]

I have my own version for this as a programmer: A computer will do what you tell it to do, whether you know/understand what you told it to do or not. An easy example is with a slow/frozen computer - some people will hit a bunch of keys at the speed of a sowing machine, just to act all surprised when it catches up and starts acting on every input they just put in.

[@richknudsen5781]

Truthfully, you rarely lose much value on Vipers for salvage paper unless the damage was extreme or it has massive mechanical issues . But the low production numbers of them is why after all these years they still command at minimum 30 grand. I have shopped them before and never saw one lower than 40k. and that was 3 years ago. So you done good Wiz.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

I live in NZ, and I've only ever seen 2 of these on the road here - they have amazing presence and command at least as much attention as an Italian supercar.

[@charliedee9276]

Very nice. I started my design career on that car, was in the room when Iacocca approved it for production. Fuel lines, brake lines, exhaust, hinge pillars and toe boxes, all those drawings have my name on them.

[@RayNLA]

Wow! Nice work. Did you ever know Ralph Gilles? Thanks for commenting

[@GM-fh5jp]

Presumably the "burn your leg" exhaust placement was by design...I believe it's known as "Viper calf" ;)

[@Rollin8.0]

​@@GM-fh5jp snake bite

[@charliedee9276]

@@RayNLA Was he an engine designer on the 1st gen? I do remember a man with the name of Ralph, but I cannot recall his last name.

[@charliedee9276]

@@GM-fh5jp More packaging constraints than anything else. It was the only place to put the exhaust, no room under the car. Seeing the bare frame would show why.

[@cliffvictoria3863]

If you're going to buy a rebuilt title car, the rear end damage is the place to have it. Front end damage is scarier. Congrats on the purchase, Dave! Let us know about any insurance issues with the rebuilt title.

[@slysimon8533]

How about a salvage title? Or are they one in the same ?

[@KrustyKlown]

@@slysimon8533 Rebuilt vehicles have Salvage Titles.

[@humpy936]

It’s going to be more, I imagine for a Viper it could be very expensive, it’s $100 a year more than a non-salvage on my 2011 Lincoln town car, so $260 per year versus $160.

[@petar443]

Mash is type of 5 collision damage types. Others are - arranged by complexity of repair - Sidesway, Sag, Diamond, Twist. Last two are mostly seen on body on frame vehicles. Mash is the easiest unibody/BodyOnFrame damage to repair, while twist is the hardest and results when vehicles hits another and then third vehicle hits the second in the rear left or rear right. "Pull mash" means certain measuring point at the rear of the vehicles was pushed in towards the front by few mm, in this case because the damage was minor maybe the rear body panel was pushed in by few mm. So we "pull mash" or pull out the damaged part(point of measure) of the rear body panel back toward the outside. I think this is the recipe only from the frame shop and not from the body shop, where they will replace the bent rear reinforcement beam, replace/or repair the bumper. And then paint the bumper and blend the color to the trunk and quarter panels.

[@Barbarapape]

Enjoy your new car David, as long as drives straight, some TLC on the paintwork and new tires and the title will be soon forgotten. Have a great Birthday.🎂

[@SavageListener]

I had a die cast model of this and I could not stop admiring its curves. It's a great piece of art and history.

[@Jordy-927]

I'm the kind of weirdo that would have to detail every inch of that car, under carriage, engine bay, all of it. It's got enough road grime to be a super satisfying clean, but you can tell it's just dust and grime, nothing bad. Beautiful machine though. Love those first gen. Brings back memories of the TV show by the same name. My mechanic has a 96 Viper. I believe he said it has just over 40k km on it. He does the exact same thing you want to do, cruise it and put it in car shows. He drives it maybe 4k km a year. Happy B-day Wiz.

[@ghostrider-be9ek]

2:34 - seeing the gap above the headlights - i still recall reading in Popular Mechanics how Chrysler was having issues with the fit and finish of the plastic hood - as it was the biggest piece they ever made.

[@cme4720]

I'll never forget the day around 2001 a new black viper tried to race a 79 to 81 Camaro. The Camaro was just idling at the light and here comes the viper revving his engine and burning his tires along side the Camaro, while it just idles there. Then the light goes green, the Camaro takes off straight and just goes, the viper burns his tires and fish tails through the intersection. Next thing you know a light pole is going over like a fallen tree. The viper took out a light pole a cinder block wall and several new chevys in the dealership across the intersection. 😂

[@christianchavez385]

Happy birthday Wizard! When you said that you had a midlife crisis I assumed that you bought a corvette. Although this is much cooler than a corvette. I turn my head every time I see a Viper.

[@infinit12]

the Viper is such an icon. I remember seeing one for the first time as a kid and i was blown away.

[@philbiker3]

Enjoy your Viper! I used to run with a friend who had one for about 10 years. He loved his - but it's a finicky beast. Don't get caught in the rain it will leak everywhere and you'll end up with mildew stink in the interior. Head gaskets and valve cover gaskets are normal maintenance on that engine.

[@magooracing]

The gen 1 Vipers are an analog driving experience. Much like all the muscle cars from the 80’s and early 90’s. Buick Grand Nationals, Mustang GTs, IROC Camaros, TTAs, even the exotics like Ferrari and Lamborghini. These cars require a driver to control the it. Stomp on the gas like an elephant, well you’ll be a very busy man behind the wheel. Nice buy there Mr Wizard.

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

Happy Birthday Wizard. To make sure you see many more of them, are you going to fit the big brake kit with ABS, which means you can then fit a TCS traction control.? The last car I had without traction control was a BMW E34 3.8L Nurburgring Edition M5 in the late 1990s, which had a very tight limited slip differential. I hit a patch of oil on joining a French Autoroute, both back wheels lit up and I snaked down the road for about 1/2 km, luckily without hitting anything. A traction control would have avoided that. I also found that the car had been supplied to me the week before, by a main BMW dealer, fitted with two different width rear wheels, which cannot have helped. So much for their vaunted 140 point check. I also then found the spare (the correct width back wheel), was sitting in its well, broken with a torn tyre.

[@blaketindle4703]

You’re never too old or too young to have a midlife crisis lol! Congrats on the Viper! The first gens look particularly awesome!

[@feedingravens]

For me it was more the After-midlife-crisis, I am 16 years older and 2 years ago bought a red '94 car like the Wizard. But that is about where the parallels end. But one advantage I have: I have about 5,000 miles of unlimited autobahn. So unless the Wizard goes on a racetrack, my car can go legally faster than his Viper with 2 1/2 the power.

[@tman1129]

Used to help a buddy rebuild mostly late 90s early 2000s Pontiacs, most went salvage title with no "frame" damage other than replacing the front clip, he got an awesome WS6 trans am for half the cost of non-wrecked model. Salvage can be awesome, but there's always a gamble. Nice find wizard!

[@williamjones2350]

Congrats on the purchase, and Happy Birthday!!!

[@jeffreyhurst9552]

The “ashtray “ opens backwards, away from the driver? What a car! Happy birthday Wizard.

[@jorgeb9715]

Happy Birthday Wizard and check that rear end thoroughly since they are rear wheel drive,, Enjoy My preferred was the Pontiac Solstice with a. V8

[@pantherplatform]

Happy Birthday! Don Scharf Automotive in Eagle River has the largest inventory of Dodge viper parts in the country. He's the foremost authority on all things dodge viper.

[@watkinsrgv]

Hands down the coolest viper in my books wizard, They sell for silly money in Australia. What a buy, that's a keeper.

[@clintmiller88]

Man I love a old RT10 and first gen vipers but those GTS models in blue white stripes have my childhood heart

[@joaoserraoliveira3767]

Happy birthday Wizard! All the best!

[@rayborg7378]

Happy Birthday ,and so happy that you ve got the car you always wanted,This is in my book alike the 1960s Shelby Cobra.Enjoy life is too short and some pleasure is really welcome.

[@Oliver_Things]

Happy Birthday! One thing I noticed. You said it has a Gen 3 radiator fan, but that isn't a Gen 3 fan. The Gen 3 fan runs off of the power steering pump via hydraulic pressure.

[@davidcook1394]

As a fellow mechanic I agree about the rebuilt title. It doesn’t worry me either. Get it ceramic coated.

[@crzzymnn911]

Man that thing is fantastic!! Congrats on making it one more year around the Sun!

[@desertwindauh]

Congratulations on your lovely new Viper BUT, please be very, very careful driving that beast. I had the opportunity to drive a Gen 1 Viper and discovered that it really, really wanted to spin its wheels in every gear, no matter how light I was on the throttle. It really wanted to kill me and preferred to go in any direction except that what being steered. Never had I the desire to drive another Viper ever again. Oh and it has a teensy weensy cabin too.

[@doom32x4]

All I got to say is that Congratulations on the bday and Viper, you're wrong, stick for the win, and also, the front of my pants got tight when you pulled that thing onto the lift. Good lord that sound.

[@weegeemike]

Happy Birthday, Wizard! I've always wanted a Viper since I had a poster of one on my wall when I was 6. You're a lucky man! Enjoy your sweet ride. I hope to see more of it.

[@TheBBodyBuilder]

Happy Birthday Dave/Wizard! 🎉 🎂 Enjoy your new toy Sir.

[@pascalolivier4458]

Thanks to the truck-like torque, I remember I saw once on a british car tv show someone starting the car from 0mph only with 5th gear engaged. I wish I could see that again.

[@manchestermikec]

Happy birthday! Enjoy your special birthday present 🎉

[@mrharry8466]

Happy Birthday ! Cool car. Hope you had a great day. All the best to you all.

[@felipefernandezlomas6770]

Felicidades and Congratulations! That looks amazing Wizard

[@berniepilon9300]

Happy birthday Wizard. I just turned 51 on the 7th. Absolutely love the videos

[@smwsmwsmw]

Looks like the foam surrounds in those woofers between the seats are shot. This is a DIY repair - google "speaker refoaming" - you don't need to purchase new woofers. It's not a good idea to use them until this is fixed.

[@Embermist69]

Remember them wanting one growing up, I think it was the first Gran Turismo game that had the the Viper as a option to buy. For a mass amount of credits that is. So got it in the game, not yet in real life though maybe one day.

[@RT10Viperman]

I had a 93 Viper I got from a old lady in Texas with only 2,000 miles on it. I paid $25,000 for it drove the hell out of it for 10 years and sold it for $35,000...! What a fun car and yes...They will get out from under neath you and try to kill you any chance it gets

[@EricDHaas]

Buddy ! It’s so good to see you finally have some success from all of your hard work ! Congratulations on your birthday present ! You earned it !

[@jdore8]

Think of mash like an accordian compressing. It was likely a straight on impact that just damaged the bar under the bumper cover and/or where it mounts on the car.

[@happilyham6769]

That is the exact same ash tray out of the Plymouth Acclaim/Dodge Spirit line of cars. The rear doors had those ash trays. I remember them well because I used to flip the door up and down all the time riding in the back of my dads car.

[@RoadhogRNA]

Happy Birthday Wizard!!!! Great Car ENJOY!!!

[@Twiztidjuggalo42000]

The Hercules tires are great. I used to work for Hercules and the tires are actually made my Cooper tire right down the road so they are same quality as Cooper

[@linkedup7346]

My neighbor has 2 Vipers. An older red one with a Targa rag top and a newer one that is factory blue/purple with a white racing stripe. His new wife probably married him just because she gets to drive these awesome cars. Too bad you can't upload videos on you tube comments because my outdoor camera showed them passing each other on our narrow private road. Bear in mind Wizard a Viper has to always be driven like you are on ice. My C4 Corvette with a few minor performance upgrades is scarry enough.

[@grahamquigley8818]

Excellent birthday present, enjoy! And thanks for all your videos, they encourage we older wrenchers to fix things. Gooday from Australia.

[@athan_1122]

I think having it show that you are owner of the vehicle, and have gone thru it, outshines the salvage title. Especially since it seems the damage was minimal.

[@Oldguynotbald]

Great score, the 1st gen's are going up like a rocket. It was Carrol Shelby's vision of a modern ACR Cobra. That would kill you to :)

[@blueridgebikeman]

My F-I-L bought himself a Viper thatg had been totaled in Las Vegas with under 3K miles. After he rebuilt most of the front end, he had a gorgeous and terrifyingly fast sports car, which he ended up totaling and repairing a 2nd time.

[@ForTehNguyen]

if you have issue finding tires, you can find newer gen viper wheels which fit fine to access newer tire sizes. Pirelli P Zeroes are junk tires anyways

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Congrats David on this very beautiful 94 Viper thanks my friend 👍.....l will miss Tyler Hoover’s Garage and praying for Tyler and his Wife.....🙏🙏 Shoe🇺🇸

[@FeighneyR]

Happy Birthday, Dave!

[@h.m.9234]

Happy Birthday or Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag from Germany 🙂

[@josephkelly4893]

Beautiful vehicle Mr and Mrs Wizard, well done, hope it’s enjoyed

[@daveforeman6931]

Big Happy Birthday, Car Wizard !

[@cat22planes]

Welcome to the Viper Club David!! Enjoy!! 1st Gear: You're probably OK 2nd Gear: You're probably getting the ticket 3rd Gear: You're getting the ticket 4th Gear: You're going to Jail 5th Gear: You're going to the morgue 6th Gear: You're doin' it wrong! -A fellow Viper nut!

[@MrTilbin]

The totalling could have been policy too. You can total a car quickly if you insist on new factory parts for example where there was a delay in getting or a discontinuation of the part new.

[@edwilko8819]

Happy birthday, best thing I did was buy a car for my birthday 1992 R32 Skyline gtr ❤ then 4 years late bought myself my first grown up house. I then gave up as i dont earn enough to get a yatch next like you. enjoy the back to basics drivers cars no ricers need apply to drive ❤😊

[@Professor_JB]

Happy birthday Car Wizard. Keep on wrenchin! And here's to many more.

[@eastmanresearch3143]

congrats, every mid 40's man wants one of these. I remember watching the tv show viper as a teenager.

[@UlrichWrangel]

Def needs the Gen 1 wheels back on. Hard to believe but these could be had in the 20k range all day long for a while.

[@jeffsheets9389]

Happy birthday 🎉love the Viper !!

[@AuctionWalk-nk9me]

We reviewed a Viper very similar to this and an ACR....so nice...we should have bid on it. Auction Walk...we look review the car before the auction and guess the price...and see how we did at the end.

[@sunsetrider45]

"Let's pop the front hood on it and take a look underneath".... I have to admit that I thought he was still referring to Mrs. Wizard and got confused for a moment.

[@MikeVonGoon81]

nice find ! it reminds me of the 1990s Viper TV show (it had a gen 1 red car which could transform into a grey coupe with a futuristic body kit) ... anyway, happy birthday to you, Car Wizard, I hope you enjoy the Viper a lot

[@khalifgreen581]

Happy Birthday!🎂🎈🎁

[@douglasmartin5253]

Happy birthday…and congrats on the new present.

[@jamessouder6044]

Happy birthday wizard. Congrats on the viper

[@rogerknapman1260]

I'm not sure if it's just the camera but three wheels look chromed, but the right rear looks silver painted.

[@ryandesain5090]

Congrats Wiz!! Great ride

[@ryansratner]

Happy Birthday! Still a pup!! Thank you for sharing your great work. I hope you get to do something special for yourself today...beyond the VIPER

[@_BAD_MERC_]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! If my memory serves me right I think I paid ~$45K for my 2004 in 2016. I still have it today and my Hagerty policy has a $70K value on it. So for 7 years I've driven a free Viper that should return quite a bundle when I sell. Those are my favorite wheels!! Enjoy and please practice a little restraint. Once you've reached a certain age you really don't need to prove anything.

[@blaketindle4703]

Gonna need to borrow Car Ninja’s brake cleaner to clean that engine bay haha

[@MichaelPlummer-lb1gx]

Happy birthday wizard hope have a great day injoy the viper

[@kiwibryntoo]

Happy birthday, young bloke..

[@jcoats5529]

I worked on the tv series "Viper". We had 2 of them. Personally they never did much for me

[@joshfowler197]

The gen 1 viper is my dream car. Ive wanted one since i had a blue with white striped hotwheels as a kid. I will have one someday

[@srtv8or109]

Happy birthday my friend I've been watching you for quite some time I actually have a 2008 that had side damage on the driver side but I still had to have it they all need a good home and she still handles like a champ I hope you enjoy your new toy🎉🎉😊

[@Jimsathome]

Happy Birthday Wizard. Great toy you bought for yourself. It'll be something crazy to put the hammer down without the Nannies to bail you out.

[@cesarfisher4841]

Happy Birthday Car Wizard!!!!

[@dashingwomble]

Blimey. I didn’t even get a Happy Birthday this year. Mine was the day before the the Car Wizards.

[@waynekaminski5438]

Happy Birthday! You have a great future ahead of you. A solid business, great work ethic, and a can-do attitude. You are an employer; you contribute to the tax base of Newton, KS.

[@aumetalmental8403]

Happy Birthday Mr. Wizzard. 🎉

[@floridamanHooning]

That rear paint damage looked more like something was bolted there and they did a really bad job at a bond/paint repair after removing it

[@4pevans]

Road wheels and steering wheel are all keepers!

[@americanrambler4972]

This is a perfectly fine car for me. As long as it’s repaired properly, and has no lasting detrimental effects, a repaired car works for me. If it’s done wrong, that does matter for me to purchase. But I dot buy my cars for investments. I buy to drive and enjoy.

[@samt6788]

Happy birthday Wizard!!

[@WayApp]

Wow, that's a unique and exciting gift!

[@chrismiller9032]

Happy Birthday Wizard!

[@m.pav.8397]

Nice car. Happy Birthday!🎉

[@happilyham6769]

I love the AC controls. That is all you need. There is no reason for there to be more than three simple idiot proof dials. Cars have gotten so ridiculously complicated and computerized, and what that does is it reduces reliability and increases cost.

[@chrishartman9467]

this is the episode where the WIZARD tallies up a list and hands it to his wife for approval

[@stever41g]

Happy BDay Wizard. Nice car - be careful.

[@PrinceAlhorian]

Happy Belated B-Day Wizard. Epic Street Snek.

[@l042987]

Love it. I also have a 94.. Do some belanger headers and cat back u don't regret it!

[@michaelwilliamson6061]

Happy Birthday! Nice Car!

[@ZerotheWanderer]

Missed it by a day but happy birthday Wizard!

[@davebarron5939]

The Viper is cool but, frankly I would rather have the Cadillac. Happy Birthday!

[@glenerickson358]

$50,000. That is what those were new. Vettes at the time were $35-40k.