[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.73″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left”]
This site is dedicated to my favorite car, the Dodge Viper, as well as the tv show “VIPER”, which ran in the ’90s and was one of my favorites as a youngster. There are, of course, hundreds of sites with reviews and tests of the car, but there isn’t really much left with information about the tv show. With this site, I plan to keep the data I gathered on different sites available. In addition, I devote some attention to the memorabilia that was available back then, on which not much can be found online. |
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.75″ background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left”]
Episode Guide & Cast
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”3.0.75″ border_style=”solid”]
[et_pb_tab _builder_version=”3.0.75″ title=”Start” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” body_text_align=”left”]Use the registers to the right to navigate through the Episode Guide & Cast menu.
[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Overview” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” _builder_version=”3.0.75″ body_text_align=”left”]The series ran from January 2, 1994, until May 22, 1999. In total, 78 episodes in four seasons were filmed.
The contents with a blue line to the left were taken from this source: http://vipertvshow.wikia.com/wiki/Viper_(TV_show)
What was the show about?
Viper was an action-adventure TV series about a secretive task force set up by the federal government to fight crime in the fictional city of Metro City, California, that is perpetually under siege from one crime wave after another. The weapon used by this task force is an urban assault vehicle that is disguised as a 1993 Flame Red Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster and, later, a 1998 Cobalt Blue Metallic Dodge Viper GTS Coupe (which replaced the Roadster convertible). The series takes place in “the near future”. The primary brand of vehicles driven in the show were Chrysler or their subsidiary companies.
What about the Defender?
The armored assault vehicle known as the Viper Defender was designed by Unique Movie Cars engineers (unlike most Hollywood film/TV cars that are usually customized by film picture designers like George Barris). The exterior design of the car was executively designed by Mike Sciortino, though to few people’s actual knowledge. Most fans believe that the Chrysler company built the Defender concept.
In the US, the show’s first season aired on NBC. Seasons two to four on Syndication. In Germany, all four seasons were broadcasted on ProSieben.
[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Season 1″ use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” _builder_version=”3.0.75″ body_text_align=”left”]
USA | Germany | ||||
Ep. | Original Title | Released | Original Title | Released | Length |
1 | Pilot | 01/02/1994 | Gehirnwäsche | 02.02.1995 | 95 min |
2 | Once A Thief | 01/07/1994 | Ein gefährlicher Freund | 05.02.1995 | 50 min |
3 | Ghosts | 01/14/1994 | Der Racheengel | 19.02.1995 | 50 min |
4 | Safe As Houses | 01/21/1994 | Die Gangsterstadt | 02.04.1995 | 50 min |
5 | Firehawk | 01/28/1994 | Die Kampfmaschine | 26.02.1995 | 50 min |
6 | Mind Games | 02/11/1994 | Tödliche Fracht | 12.02.1995 | 50 min |
7 | The Face | 02/18/1994 | Das Chamäleon | 09.04.1995 | 50 min |
8 | Wheels Of Fire | 02/25/1994 | Der Prototyp | 19.03.1995 | 50 min |
9 | Past Tense | 03/04/1994 | Die Frau aus dem Nichts | 12.03.1995 | 50 min |
10 | Scoop | 03/11/1994 | Der Tarot-Killer | 26.03.1995 | 50 min |
11 | Thief Of Hearts | 03/18/1994 | Herzdame | 23.04.1995 | 50 min |
12 | Crown Of Thorns | 04/01/1994 | Das Biest | 05.03.1995 | 50 min |
Season 1
The first season of Viper originally aired on NBC in its Prime-Time slot at 8pm on Fridays in 1994. Starring James McCaffrey, Dorian Harewood and Joe Nipote. Metro City Police Dept., MetroPol, creates the Viper Project, a special top secret task force created by the federal government to fight the wave of violence sweeping the city. This task force used a modified 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster that could, at the flip of a secret switch, transform from a luxurious sports car into an armored machine known as the “Defender.” Commonly dubbed “The Classic NBC Season,” this series began with a 2-hour movie pilot which should count or double as two separate episodes, therefore leading to the usual first half-season number of 13 total episodes. However, most fans count the Pilot as a movie separate from the series, and the actual season having 11 episodes. The season was canceled after the episode “Wheels of Fire,” but continued on for 2 more episodes to end with “Crown of Thorns.” A proposed following episode was in the works, and half of the footage was shot, but due to descending ratings, the network pulled the plug on the show early. The special effect “hex snake skin” transformation for the pilot and the first season were done by Metrolight Studios. Sources indicate that it cost $50,000 for each transformation scene in the NBC season.
[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Season 2″ use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” _builder_version=”3.0.75″ body_text_align=”left”]
USA | Germany | ||||
Ep. | Original Title | Released | Original Title | Released | Length |
1 | Winner Take All | 09/27/1996 | Ein ziemlich guter Start | 12.03.1998 | 45 min |
2 | Mig 89 | 10/05/1996 | Mig 89 | 19.03.1998 | 45 min |
3 | Condor | 10/12/1996 | Condor spielt falsch | 26.03.1998 | 45 min |
4 | Talk Is Cheap | 10/19/1996 | Das Schandmaul | 02.05.1998 | 45 min |
5 | Diamond In The Rough | 10/26/1996 | Der Stolz des Bobby Finn | 23.05.1998 | 45 min |
6 | Standoff | 11/02/1996 | Die Belagerung | 30.05.1998 | 45 min |
7 | White Fire | 11/09/1996 | Weisses Feuer | 09.05.1998 | 45 min |
8 | Die Laughing | 11/16/1996 | Der kleine Zeuge | 06.06.1998 | 45 min |
9 | On A Roll | 11/23/1996 | Sieh mir in die Augen… | 13.06.1998 | 45 min |
10 | Street Pirates | 11/30/1996 | Schutzengel am Computer | 20.06.1998 | 45 min |
11 | Breakdown On Thunder Road | 01/11/1997 | Der Teufel im Tank | 27.06.1998 | 45 min |
12 | Manhunt | 01/18/1997 | Jagd auf den Robotermann | 04.07.1998 | 45 min |
13 | Turf Wars | 02/01/1997 | Der Krieg der Kinder | 11.07.1998 | 45 min |
14 | Forget-Me-Not | 02/08/1997 | Gehirnwäsche | 18.07.1998 | 45 min |
15 | Wheelman | 02/15/1997 | Der bessere Fahrer | 25.07.1998 | 45 min |
16 | Shutdown | 02/22/1997 | Element 116 | 01.08.1998 | 45 min |
17 | Echo Of Murder | 03/01/1997 | Das Geheimnis der Elisabeth Gantry | 08.08.1998 | 45 min |
18 | Thieves Like Us | 03/22/1997 | Unter Dieben | 15.08.1998 | 45 min |
19 | Cold Storage | 04/26/1997 | Die Herren der neuen Ordnung | 22.08.1998 | 45 min |
20 | Whistle Blower | 05/03/1997 | Tim der Held | 29.08.1998 | 45 min |
21 | Black Box | 05/10/1997 | Die schwarze Box | 05.09.1998 | 45 min |
22 | The List | 05/17/1997 | Die Liste | 12.09.1998 | 45 min |
Season 2
The show is revamped by Paramount Studios for a second continuation series, and brought into first-run syndication, meaning it can be broadcast over selective networks and not tied down to one. Paramount had just launched the UPN channel, and sat the series there for local cable television, while others got undesired time slots, sometimes very late or very early in the mornings. Because of the major funding backings by Chrysler Corporation, the series was able to survive cancellation by NBC and be retooled into a cop drama for local networks, which came out two years later in 1996. The show got a new cast, new episodic format (22 episodes), and new upgrades to the star of the series, the Viper Defender, including mounted machine guns located inside the pulse cannons (a feature that the car’s designer, Julian Wilkes, was against installing – due to a shootout between police and criminals that caused his paralysis). Season 2 aired during 1996-1997.
MetroPol has taken over the Viper Project and a new team has been assembled under the Special Projects Division. Frankie Waters is the only one to return and has been retrieved from Metro MotorPool Dept. He is now, officially, the team’s mechanic. Astor has left for Thailand due to the fact that MetroPol has taken the Viper back, and Julian takes a job with the government. Shortly after, another massive crime wave sweeps Metro City. After a redesign by MetroPol and systems specialist Allie Farrow, CIA agent Thomas Cole drives the prototype back to the new Viper Complex until things smooth over with the city, in which time the city plants a detective on the team. Starring Jeff Kaake, Heather Medway, Dawn Stern and Joe Nipote, with special guest appearances by J. Downing.
1996 Viper RT/10
At the start of Season 2, the show unveiled a new Viper for its standby mode: a second generation Flame Red 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10, complete with optional rooftop scoop, windows, and slightly extended grille pattern, different from Season 1’s first-gen convertible-only Roadster. This is confirmed by the rooftop scoop seen in Seasons 2 and 3 but not in Season 1, as well as the grille. In the Season 2 premiere episode “Winner Take All,” the 1996 vehicle is even directly described by Cameron Westlake’s captain as “the latest prototype” based on the then-rumored 1994 car. When Season 4 premiered, this was suddenly changed so that the 1994 Viper and the 1996 Viper are assumed to be the same vehicle. Joe Astor references the change in Season 4’s premiere episode, “The Return,” by asking “Who blew up my old Viper?”
“Flip-Panel” Transformation Morph
In 1994 during the NBC run of “Viper” Season 1, the computer-generated graphic effects for the “hex snake-skin” transformation morphs were created by MetroLight Studios, a company that supposedly charged $50,000 USD a shot. Due to this, the creators Danny Bilson & Paul DeMeo sometimes utilized shots where the morph happened off-screen, such as in a dark alley or a shadow of the morph on a wall, and the car only morphed back into the RT/10 once during the season.When it came time to revive the series for syndication beginning with Season 2, a new transformation was unveiled with the S2 pilot, “Winner Take All.” This morphing sequence featured panels and covers that flipped and rotated 180 degrees all around the car, revealing the armored plates of the Defender and thereby transforming the vehicle. Some of the covers would slide over the top of the existing RT/10 frame, though most would “flip” and the RT/10 frame would reside underneath the armor panels to the Defender, and the process would reverse when morphing back into the Viper’s “Standby Mode,” which have led many Viper fans to dub this version the “flip-panel” morph.
It is never explained in the series or even acknowledged that this is a completely different type of morph sequence. One theory is when MetroPol took the project and the car back from Wilkes and Astor, Allie Farrow was assigned as Systems Specialist, and redesigned it for two years, even continuing the redesigns into the S2 pilot episode “Winner Take All,” and the morph was one of the redesigns. Another was the addition of the new onboard weapons systems.
[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Season 3″ use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” _builder_version=”3.0.75″ body_text_align=”left”]
USA | Germany | ||||
Ep. | Original Title | Released | Original Title | Released | Length |
1 | Triple Cross | 09/23/1997 | Dreimal falsches Spiel | 26.09.1998 | 45 min |
2 | Cat And Mouse | 09/30/1997 | Unter Verdacht | 26.09.1998 | 45 min |
3 | The Best Couple | 10/07/1997 | Traumpaare | 10.10.1998 | 45 min |
4 | Hidden Agenda | 10/14/1997 | Natalia | 17.10.1998 | 45 min |
5 | Out From Oblivion | 10/21/1997 | Der Überlebenskünstler | 24.10.1998 | 45 min |
6 | Storm Watch | 10/28/1997 | Projekt Wind Storm | 07.11.1998 | 45 min |
7 | Cold Warriors | 11/04/1997 | Mama und der Geheimagent | 14.11.1998 | 45 min |
8 | First Mob Wives Club | 11/11/1997 | Der Club der Mafiabräute | 21.11.1998 | 45 min |
9 | Getting M.a.d.d. | 11/18/1997 | Der Unfall | 05.12.1998 | 45 min |
10 | Wilderness Run | 11/25/1997 | Tödliches Trekking | 28.11.1998 | 45 min |
11 | Breakout | 01/06/1998 | Das Killervirus | 12.12.1998 | 45 min |
12 | The Getaway | 01/27/1998 | Das Erbe des Paten | 19.12.1998 | 45 min |
13 | What Makes Sammy Chun? | 02/03/1998 | Enthüllungen | 02.01.1999 | 45 min |
14 | Paper Trail | 02/10/1998 | Die Geldwäscher | 09.01.1999 | 45 min |
15 | Regarding Catlett | 02/17/1998 | Nennen Sie mich Sherm! | 16.01.1999 | 45 min |
16 | Trust No One | 02/24/1998 | Operation Sundown | 23.01.1999 | 45 min |
17 | Double Team | 03/03/1998 | Zweimal zwei | 30.01.1999 | 45 min |
18 | Hot Potato | 03/17/1998 | Lieblingsfarbe: Pink | 06.02.1999 | 45 min |
19 | Homecoming | 04/21/1998 | Heimkehr nach Trinity | 13.02.1999 | 45 min |
20 | Old Acquaintance | 04/28/1998 | Ein alter Bekannter | 20.02.1999 | 45 min |
21 | Internal Affair | 05/05/1998 | Wo ist Westlake? | 27.02.1999 | 45 min |
22 | About Face | 05/12/1998 | Der doppelte Cole | 13.03.1999 | 45 min |
Season 3
Viper continues on with a third season in 1997-1998. After serving as the team’s systems specialist for several months, Allie Farrow has taken a permanent military job (explained at the end of the previous season), which leaves Frankie to take a promotion as the Viper Team’s system specialist / technical mechanic. A continuation of Season Two with the mainstay addition of liaison Special Agent Catlett in place of Allie’s departure, the show succeeded to thrive in first-run syndication. The most shocking event comes in the form of Season Three’s surprise cliffhanger ending… Starring Jeff Kaake, Heather Medway, Joe Nipote, and J. Downing.
[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Season 4″ use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” _builder_version=”3.0.75″ body_text_align=”left”]
USA | Germany | ||||
Ep. | Original Title | Released | German Original Title | Released | Length |
1 | The Return | 09/22/1998 | Joes Comeback | 07.05.2000 | 45 min |
2 | Once A Con | 09/29/1998 | Alte Gauner | 14.05.2000 | 45 min |
3 | Wisegal | 10/06/1998 | Der Schlichter | 23.05.2000 | 45 min |
4 | Holy Matrimony | 10/13/1998 | Die schöne Witwe | 28.05.2000 | 45 min |
5 | Wanted: Fred Or Alive | 10/20/1998 | Die Kopfgeldjägerin | 04.06.2000 | 45 min |
6 | The Full Frankie | 10/27/1998 | Frankie der Mechaniker | 18.06.2000 | 45 min |
7 | Honest Abe | 11/03/1998 | Der ehrliche Abe | 25.06.2000 | 45 min |
8 | Aftermath | 11/10/1998 | Das unerwartete Erbe | 02.07.2000 | 45 min |
9 | Family Matters | 11/17/1998 | Zigarrenfreunde | 09.07.2000 | 45 min |
10 | The Really Real Re-enactment | 12/08/1998 | Aus einem anderem Leben | 16.07.2000 | 45 min |
11 | Best Seller | 01/05/1999 | Dichtung und Wahrheit | 23.07.2000 | 45 min |
12 | Seminar From Hell | 02/06/1999 | Rache um jeden Preis | 30.07.2000 | 45 min |
13 | People Like Us | 02/13/1999 | Der amerikanische Traum | 06.08.2000 | 45 min |
14 | My Fair Hoodlums | 02/20/1999 | Ein wahrer Gentleman | 13.08.2000 | 45 min |
15 | Safe House | 02/27/1999 | Mütter und Töchter | 20.08.2000 | 45 min |
16 | Tiny Bubbles | 03/20/1999 | Die Wunderformel | 27.08.2000 | 45 min |
17 | Of Course It’s A Miracle | 03/27/1999 | Das Medium | 03.09.2000 | 45 min |
18 | Holy Terror | 04/17/1999 | Der heilige Junge | 10.09.2000 | 45 min |
19 | Hell Hath No Fury | 05/01/1999 | Späte Rache | 17.09.2000 | 45 min |
20 | Attack Of The Teki-ya | 05/08/1999 | Besuch aus Tokio | 24.09.2000 | 45 min |
21 | Split Decision 1/2 | 05/15/1999 | Wer ist Joe Astor? – Teil 1 | 01.10.2000 | 45 min |
22 | Split Decision 2/2 | 05/22/1999 | Wer ist Joe Astor? – Teil 2 | 08.10.2000 | 45 min |
Season 4
The fourth and final season of Viper airs during 1998-1999, and finds the return of the Defender’s original driver, Joe Astor, a new Viper, and a new team. In the aftermath of the Viper’s destruction, Thomas Cole is permanently transferred to undercover work in his employment with the CIA. Julian Wilkes, original designer of The Viper Project, has agreed to come back on behalf of the FBI and design one last project for MetroPol: a new, advanced Viper Defender. This time the sports car is a modified Cobalt Blue Metallic 1998 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe. With the return of Wilkes’ and Waters’ old friend Joe Astor, Catlett attempts to convince him to be the new driver for the team. Westlake likes him, too. However, Astor would be haunted by his old Payton identity once more. Starring James McCaffrey, Heather Medway, Joe Nipote, and J. Downing.
In Season 4, there were attempts to reconnect the dots from Season 1 due to James McCaffrey returning to the show. His character’s return meant that his former life in the form of his alter ego would have to be addressed again. This meant flashbacks to Season 1, since his character experienced a memory-wipe during the first episode of that season – the pilot to the entire series. During the first-run syndication of the revamped series beginning with Season 2 in 1996, the show barely referenced the first season aired on NBC in 1994. In fact, the only connection may have been mainstay cast member Joe Nipote, who played Franklin X. Waters (“Frankie”) in every season. The biggest retcons referenced the switch between the first generation 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster and later second generation 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 between Seasons 1 and 2-3, and flashbacks to the pilot episodes from 1994 in the series finale 2-parter, “Split Decision,” in 1999.
[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Main Cast” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” _builder_version=”3.0.75″ /]
[/et_pb_tabs][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.75″ background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left”]
Defender
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.75″ background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid”]
Defender TV Show Car – based on a Dodge Viper RT/10, featuring a 390/360 HP engine conversion. The beautiful cars were built by Unique Movie Cars out of Las Vegas. Apparently, 14 units were created, only one survived.
Photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_gallery _builder_version=”3.0.75″ posts_number=”6″ show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”off” gallery_ids=”3296,3297,3298,3299,3300,3301″ fullwidth=”off” orientation=”landscape” zoom_icon_color=”#2ea3f2″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” background_layout=”light” pagination_font_size_tablet=”51″ pagination_line_height_tablet=”2″ border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”3.0.75″ border_style=”solid”] [et_pb_tab _builder_version=”3.0.75″ title=”Start” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” body_text_align=”left”] Use the registers to the right to navigate through the Defender menu. [/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab _builder_version=”3.0.75″ title=”Defender Build Team: Interview” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” body_text_align=”left”]
Below is a short interview with Unique Movie Cars I found online. It’s from July 30th, 2014, by Jeff Perez.
The contents with a blue line to the left were taken from this source: https://www.motor1.com/news/73187/the-build-team-responsible-for-the-viper-defender-tv-car-interview/
The Build Team Responsible for the Viper Defender TV Car: Interview
In 1994, Chrysler pulled out one of the biggest marketing stunts to date — a TV show. It wasn’t just any TV show though, it was called Viper, and at the helm of it all was one very special car; the Viper Defender. Viper ran a total of four seasons from 1994-1999, and it cemented its place in history as a cult classic for gearheads. But how did the star of the show, the Viper Defender, come to be? No, it wasn’t built by George Barris, it was actually the work of a family run shop called Unique Movie Car Las Vegas. Along with the Viper Defender, Unique Movie Cars is responsible for some of the most iconic film and TV cars of all time. That star-studded cast includes Back to the Future, Dumb and Dumber, and The A-Team, just to name a few. But we wanted to pick their brains a bit and see exactly what went into the Viper Defender, and if they have any idea what crazy creations they might be building next:
BoldRide: How did you get started in film and TV cars?
Michael: My father and grandfather were building and manufacturing a motorhome line called Vogue coach, and we were building them for film use for hair and makeup. We were the people that came up with that, to use a motorhome for those services. My father and grandfather had a car collection of a few hundred cars and they started to rent them for film use. One thing led to another and they started building cars for TV and film.BoldRide: On average, how long does it take a project from start to finish?
Michael: It all depends on a lot of factors, when we did Viper we had 45 days to built the 14 Viper Defenders and about 150-200 background cars like police, trucks, vans, and cars that we were doing stunts with, like gun shots, explosions, etc.BoldRide: What’s been your favorite car to work on so far?
Michael: I really don’t have one, I don’t really look at cars like that. Cars to me are a way to make a living, and it’s just what we do, sort of like a job, like working at a fast food joint.BoldRide: How many cars would you typically build for a specific show/movie?
Michael: It all depends on what they are trying to achieve. It may start out with one or two, but can quickly turn into five or six.BoldRide: How did you plan to differentiate the Viper show car from the standard Dodge Viper?
Michael: We worked hand and hand with Chrysler when we did this show. They were introducing the Viper car with the show, so we would add something and they would add something, but a lot of what we added was for form, function and safety for what we were trying to achieve for the show, which posed a challenge at times.BoldRide: What’s your next project?
Michael:We never know, that’s a changing question every morning.
[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab _builder_version=”3.0.75″ title=”Defender at Auction” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” tab_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” body_text_align=”left”]
Probably the only remaining example of the Defender was up for auction a few years ago. Here are the details:
Monterey, August 13th 2010:
[/et_pb_tab] [/et_pb_tabs][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.75″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_size=”cover” module_alignment=”left”] This site is still under construction. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]