The 2013 SRT Viper
At this weekend’s Barrett Jackson auction in Orange County, California, the very first production 2013 SRT Viper was sold to raise money for the Austin Hatcher Foundation, which helps children with pediatric cancers. Bidding seemed to stall at the $250,000 mark, until an SRT Track Experience (which comes with all new SRT vehicles, anyway) and a VIP trip to the Petit LeMans were added to the deal.
The final hammer price was $300,000, all of which was donated to the Austin Hatcher Foundation. In return, the new buyer is the first on his block to put a 2013 SRT Viper in his garage, and gets the honor (and collectibility) of owning serial number 001.
As with most charity auctions for new vehicles, we doubt the car crossing the block was the actual car to be delivered. Buyers lucky enough to get a first production model generally get to choose whatever options and colors they like, although we’d be just fine with a new Viper in any color, thanks.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
While $300,000 is a nice donation to the Austin Hatcher Foundation, the selling price pales in comparison to the winning bid for the very first Corvette ZR1: back in 2008, that car sold for a cool $1,000,000, with proceeds going to benefit the United Way.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
