Custom Painting Updates:
STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH YOUR VIPER
May 02, 2016
POLISHING & DECKLID ASSEMBLY
a month ago
Hi Chris, Click on the thumbnail to view photos of the body panels for your custom Viper GTC being completed at Prefix. You’ll see them being hand-sanded and polished to remove any imperfections, producing a supremely smooth, perfect finish. Did you know that Prefix also assembles the liftgate, satellite antenna, and exhaust components? We’ve included a few photos of the rear liftgate assembly for you to see as well. Stay tuned for more updates, next from Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP) of your chassis production starting – they’re coming soon! Have a great day!
Apr 27, 2016
CUSTOM PAINTING
2 months ago
Hi Chris, Click on the thumbnail to see pictures of the body panels for your custom Viper’s painting process at Prefix! Your GTC includes 24 individual painted parts/panels, and each one of them was prepped and hand-sanded to a smooth finish before being placed on the racks to be painted. For the base color, the racks were wheeled back into the climate-controlled chamber to spray all the panels with layers of both base paint and clear coat. Once the painting was finished, the panels were baked in an oven at temperatures reaching 180 degrees to help speed up the drying process and harden the finish. Once you've completed the hand sanding & polish phase, we'll share those pictures with you!
Apr 22, 2016
RAW PANELS
Hi Chris, We're almost there! Your GTC is about to begin the painting process at Prefix - thank you for your patience. We will have photos to share with you sometime next week! In the meantime, check out your raw Viper body panels. There are 24 parts and panels all together that make up your GTC. These two racks are used to transport your parts around Prefix and also hold them during the paint and curing phase. Stay tuned for more exciting updates! -Viper Concierge Team
Apr 15, 2016
PIGMENT ROOM
Hi Chris, The color selection for your Viper might have taken much debate, and the process to produce your color is equally as time consuming. Starting with a generic base, it’s combined with precise measurements of multiple pigments to produce the exact color you chose. One single drop over or under creates a completely different hue! This pigment room contains all of the different pigments used to produce the colors for each Viper. A room filled with options, mastered by true artists. Have a great day!
Apr 5, 2016
PREFIX
Hi Chris, We’re still waiting to start painting your 1 of 1 Viper, but in the meantime I wanted to share a few fun facts about the painting process: • Your Viper will be painted by some of the best craftsmen in the industry; collectively, they average more than 21 years of experience among them • Before one drop of paint is applied, more than 60 pieces of sandpaper will be used to smooth each surface of your Viper’s body panels. This prep work is done in the "dirty room" seen in the previous post. • It will take approximately 12 man hours to tape off, prepare and apply the stripes to your Viper GTC - which is done prior to the base paint being applied to achieve stripes with indiscernible edges! • A non-stripe unit takes about 6 hours to spray all parts. • Temperature and Humidity are checked to adjust to conditions before every car is painted • 2 gallons of base coat color is used on average for each unit. • A team of 9 people sand and polish each car. • It takes 95 pieces of sand paper to wet sand each set of parts before the polish process. Your Viper is in great hands, and we're excited to see your custom color come to life!
March 20, 2016
THE DIRTY ROOM
Hi Chris, Here is what we call the "dirty room", where upwards of 10 Prefix employees prepare each Viper body panel & part for painting. Each panel is hand-sanded to remove any imperfections and to make sure there's a smooth surface for painting. We also mask off the carbon fiber trim to make sure it's protected during the painting process. We’ll have your custom painting pictures to share with you soon! Please let us know if you have any questions in the meantime.
Engine & Chassis Updates:
May 4, 2016
ENGINE & CHASSIS - PART 1
Hi Chris, We’ve started building the chassis for your custom Viper GTC and wanted to share some photos to give you an insider’s look at the assembly process. The process for building your Viper started with the ‘Net Form and Pierce’ machine where four robotic arms measured and pierced holes in the chassis that will be used later on to attach various components and body panels. After the instrument panel (IP) was attached to the frame, it was placed on the ‘chassis line’ where we installed a number of components, including the wiring harness, seat belts, speakers, suspension pieces and the wheel/hub assemblies. Your Viper’s iconic V10 engine was assembled on a dedicated line adjacent to the main Viper line at Connor Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP). The 8.4-liter all-aluminum block is the largest used by any production vehicle sold in the US and combines with the crankshaft, pistons, cylinder heads and other components to power your Viper. First, we bolted the massive Tremec six-speed transmission to your V10 engine and together they were dropped into your Viper. Did you know that the Viper is the only FCA-produced vehicle where the engine is installed “top down?” Next we’ll post some photos of your Viper’s chassis being completed!
May 6, 2016
ENGINE & CHASSIS - PART 2
Hi Chris, Click on the thumbnail to see some images of your Viper’s chassis finishing the assembly process! As we showed you last time, it was a tight squeeze getting that massive V10 and Tremec transmission into the engine bay. But once it was in, we installed the x-brace, finished building the exhaust system and aligned your GTC’s suspension. Next, we bolted on your beautiful ACR Brass Monkey wheels, added fluids (brake, steering, and windshield) engine coolant, programmed the ECU and charged the AC system. Lastly, we ‘roll tested’ the chassis to confirm all the driveline components were working properly. This is an important milestone, but there’s still a lot more work until we’re finished with your 1-of-1 Viper. Next we’ll show you the beginning of final assembly. Have a great day!
Quality Validation Updates:
QUALITY VALIDATION
May 19, 2016
Hi Chris, Before it was deemed “ready to ship” we put your GTC through a series of comprehensive Quality Assessments featuring a number of tests designed to confirm that all the systems work correctly. The first check included a three-step process where your GTC’s electrical and emission systems are certified and we correctly aim the headlights. Next up was the water test where we sprayed your Viper with over 700 gallons of water for a full five minutes to make sure there are no interior leaks. Then it goes for a “ride” on our four-post shaker rig where it was checked for any squeaks or rattles that might be in the suspension, chassis or bodywork. Next up is the ‘Gap and Flush’ cell where four robotic arms verify the body panel gaps - specifically with the front and rear fascias, liftgate, hood and doors. The final Quality station for your Viper is the ‘prep and polish’ area where it’s cleaned inside and out and put into “showroom” condition. It was an absolute pleasure sharing your custom 1 of 1 build process with you, as we mentioned in our response to your message - we'll let you know as soon as it has left CAAP. Have a great day!
Final Assembly Updates:
FINAL ASSEMBLY - PART 1
May 9, 2016
Hi Chris, Now that the chassis has been completed, click on the thumbnail to see some images of your custom GTC starting final assembly. The first station was where the trunk pan and sport bar were installed. The sport bar is an important part of your Viper because it helps stiffen the chassis and provides additional protection for you and your passenger. Up next was the interior where we added the bulkhead, center console, shift knob trim, parking brake trim, carpeting, and your Black and Silver High Grip Alcantara seats. From there we installed the A-pillars, set the windshield and started hanging the body panels, specifically the roof, rear quarter panels, rear decklid and rear fascia. This is where things start to get exciting, because we can finally start to see the shape of the car! Stay tuned - the 2nd half of final assembly will be ready to share with you shortly!
FINAL ASSEMBLY - PART 2
May 18, 2016
Hi Chris, Our last post showed you your custom Viper starting final assembly at CAAP, specifically the interior and rear bodywork, but now we want to show you the rest of the process. Your Viper’s clamshell hood is one of the world’s largest automotive parts made from a single piece of carbon fiber, and after that was installed – we added the doors and other assorted trim pieces. The front fascia was installed next, followed by the side sills and then the headlight assemblies. At this point your custom Viper was fully assembled; however, before moving it off the final line it was inspected from nose to tail to confirm the functionality of things like the doors and windows. As you can see...your 1 of 1 Viper looks absolutely FANTASTIC! What’s next? Quality verification and prep for shipment!
Log in for SRT 1 of 1 web site: http://www.drivesrt.com/concierge/
These were my official order questions:
Official Order Questions
[Dodge Viper Owner]
CHRIS NAPOLITANO
February-11-2016
Hi. Thank you for the conversation and great news today. I do not have a question, but wanted to point out that my name is incorrect. My name is Chris Napolitano. I be leave this stems from what the dealership provided you. Regardless, please consider this correction. Have a great week and thank you and the team for your time and hard work on the best performance Track car offered EVER in America, and a custom 1 of 1. Chris Napolitano
[Dodge Viper]
VIPER CONCIERGE
March-03-2016
Hi Chris! You're spot-on, we were provided that information from the dealer and I've already updated the information - we are all set. It was great speaking with you today. -James Viper Concierge Team
[2015 Viper GTC]
CHRIS NAPOLITANO
March-03-2016
James, Please send the model Viper to the following address. DO NOT PUT MY NAME ON THE PACKAGE!!! Please do not put this address in a data base tied to me, or any data base not tied to me. This is a very important request. If you are unable to meet my request I will have to make other arrangements for a different address. Thank you for your kind understanding of my privacy. Again thank you James. The address is below. MPS 2821 Morena Blvd STE 3 San Diego CA 92117
[2015 Viper GTC]
CHRIS NAPOLITANO
March-03-2016
James, Please send the model Viper to the following address. DO NOT PUT MY NAME ON THE PACKAGE!!! Please do not put this address in a data base tied to me, or any data base not tied to me. This is a very important request. If you are unable to meet my request I will have to make other arrangements for a different address. Thank you for your kind understanding of my privacy. Again thank you James. The address is below. MPS 2821 Morena Blvd STE 3 San Diego CA 92117
[2015 Viper GTC]
CHRIS NAPOLITANO
March-03-2016
James, Please send the model Viper to the following address. DO NOT PUT MY NAME ON THE PACKAGE!!! Please do not put this address in a data base tied to me, or any data base not tied to me. This is a very important request. If you are unable to meet my request I will have to make other arrangements for a different address. Thank you for your kind understanding of my privacy. Again thank you James. The address is below. MPS 2821 Morena Blvd STE 3 San Diego CA 92117
[Dodge Viper]
VIPER CONCIERGE
March-03-2016
Hi Chris, Not a problem - I'll send the package exactly as requested. Have a great day! James, Viper Concierge Team
[2015 Viper GTC]
CHRIS NAPOLITANO
March-03-2016
James, Good day to you. I have a question. My question pertains to shipping by the factor to the dealer. Is the Viper sent in an enclosed carrier or open carrier to the dealer? Depending on your answer I may take delivery at the plaint 20000 Conner St, Detroit, MI 48234, and than ship from there to my choice of destination. Thank you Chris -
[Dodge Viper]
VIPER CONCIERGE
March-04-2016
Hi Chris, All Vipers leaving CAAP are transported in fully enclosed carriers - absolutely. Please let me know if there is anything else. Have a great day!
When you build a 1 of 1 you have your own concierge service that include weekly updates and a section for each proses so you cn get nswers to your questions. These are the areas listed below.
Official Order Questions
Custom Painting Questions
Engine & Chassis Questions
Final Assembly Questions
Quality Validation