25,000 Vipers Loose on the Streets:

Chrysler LLC's Conner Avenue Assembly Plant reached a manufacturing milestone on March 12, 2008, building its 25,000th Dodge Viper.

Left: 25,000th Dodge Viper rolls off the Conner Avenue assembly line.

The new owner of the milestone 2008 Viper SRT10 is none other than Kurt Busch, who received the vehicle in a ceremony held at the Detroit facility in recognition of his racing accomplishments as the top Dodge driver in the 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

"This is one of the biggest thrills I've ever experienced, and I am so grateful to Bob Nardelli and all of my friends at Dodge for presenting such a cool gift,” said Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge.

Left: Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli presented the keys to Kurt Busch after the vehicle rolled off the assembly line.

“To be an active part in celebrating the 25,000th Dodge Viper to roll off the assembly line is an extraordinary honor and one I’ll remember for the rest of my life. To be honest with you, I feel like a young child anticipating a special Christmas gift. I am just that excited and so pleased that I have this opportunity. I’m proud to be a Dodge driver on the NASCAR circuit and appreciate the opportunity to meet all the employees at the plant and personally thank them for the tremendous job they do.

Since its introduction as a concept car at the 1989 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper has captured the imagination and passion of performance enthusiasts around the world. Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. In 2008, Dodge introduced the all-new, fourth generation Dodge Viper SRT10. With more horsepower, more torque and more than 30 exterior and interior color combinations, the latest Viper gives enthusiasts the performance they expect on the track and off, with more factory customization options than before.

At Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, craftpersons hand-build the Dodge Viper SRT10 and its 600-horsepower 8.4-liter V-10 engine. Using 26 work stations on a 705-foot-long assembly line, 48 workers assemble each vehicle. Eight craftpersons build the 600-horsepower 8.4-liter SRT V-10 engine in the same facility using a 24-station circular line that is next to the vehicle assembly line.

"Back in 1992, the purpose of the Viper was to redefine what the Dodge brand was all about," said Melissa Holobach, Plant Manager – Conner Avenue Assembly Plant and Sterling Heights Vehicle Test Center (SHVTC). "We wanted to come up with something that was extreme and cutting edge. Twenty five thousand vehicles later, we’ve continued this incredible heritage with the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10. It’s the evolution of an American automotive icon."