America does everything that little bit bigger and bolder than we do in the UK – and that includes their classic cars.
We thought we’d swap our flat caps for cowboy hats and go searching for muscle cars. It didn’t take long – for less than £30k, you can pick up rare versions of the Dodge Viper and the Chevrolet Corvette.
Both these classics proudly wear the Stars and Stripes and probably sing along to a spot of Bruce Springsteen when you aren’t looking – but which would you rather go for?
Which is cooler?
Don’t worry, we haven’t flipped the images in Photoshop – this really is a right-hand-drive Dodge Viper, having been rebuilt after an accident 14 years ago. Its one-off spec only adds to the cool factor, and while you’ll either love or loathe the cartoonish curves and bonnet stripes you can’t deny it grabs attention. It’s a similar story for the ‘Vette too- yes, we like the regular C3 model but this 1978 car is the uprated, more lavishly trimmed Pace Car version. Because it’s got that two-tone paint and the lairy decals, we’ll call it a draw.
Which is quickest?
It’s an easy victory for the Viper. The 400bhp, 8.0-litre V10 beneath the bonnet of this 1997 GTS easily outpowers the 220bhp you’ll get from the Corvette’s 5.7-litre V8 – sadly, US emission restrictions strangled this car’s emissions at birth, so performance will only ever be respectable rather than blistering.
Which is going to be easier to live with?
Neither are going to rival the MGB as easy ownership prospects – these are US muscle cars, and come from a world where single-digit fuel consumption figures and excess width aren’t really issues. Despite the right-hand-drive layout offered up by the Viper – which will only ever come in handy when taking it to McDonalds – we’d still vote for the Corvette because it’s better supported by classic specialists on this side of the Pond.
Which offers the better investment potential?
The Viper wins this one on account of its rarity alone – and the combination of its backstory and being in the desirable blue-with-white-stripes only helps to make the £27,950 being asked for this one a bit of a conspicuous bargain. The Corvette gets bonus points on account of being a Pace Car version, but when you factor in the fact that C3 models can be picked up for relatively easily here and the added costs of bringing this car over from its German seller and it represents less of a deal to make money on. We’d still love it as a car to enjoy, though!
So which is best?
The Corvette represents a lot of classic car for the money, and it looks even better than it usually does with the nostalgic decals and two-tone paint of this one. However, it’s outgunned for the money by the Dodge Viper GTS, which would grab everyone’s attention at a show like Tatton Park’s Stars and Stripes event this weekend and outrun just about anything that dares to take you on at the lights on the way home. It’s unhinged but very addictive.
Don’t miss the 15 July issue of Classic Car Weekly for a full report on the US-themed Stars and Stripes Classic Car Show.