Viper Investment Project

[black mamba1]

Please forgive me if this belongs under an existing thread, I have had my hands full debating some really good friends lately.

I have read talk and posts about the Viper brand being sold. I, for one, do not believe the Viper community should simply sit on our asses and not get involved in the future of Viper. Many if not most of we VCA members and Viper owners are successful businessmen, lawyers, and many of us are connected to other wealthy investors. Why are we not using our talents, pooling our talents to see if we can "broker" a deal to the right buyers that will have the spirit, history and legacy of Viper in mind?

I dont feel right simply doing nothing while others determine what happens to our beloved Viper. We should form some kind of project or task force to pool our talents to impact or direct the future of Viper. Enough of this passive crap....lets fight for Viper! I for one will not let Viper go down w/out a serious fight. I definitely dont feel comfortable w/ Viper being owned by the Chinese.

We can get some brilliant minds together to get a project going to get Viper in the hands of the right investors.

[Brad04Mamba]

I actually agree with something you have said

[musicncars]

I very seriously doubt that they need our help selling Viper. That would mean the VCA would act as a middle man and require paying more money.

Originally Posted by black mamba1

Please forgive me if this belongs under an existing thread, I have had my hands full debating some really good friends lately.

I have read talk and posts about the Viper brand being sold. I, for one, do not believe the Viper community should simply sit on our asses and not get involved in the future of Viper. Many if not most of we VCA members and Viper owners are successful businessmen, lawyers, and many of us are connected to other wealthy investors. Why are we not using our talents, pooling our talents to see if we can "broker" a deal to the right buyers that will have the spirit, history and legacy of Viper in mind?

I dont feel right simply doing nothing while others determine what happens to our beloved Viper. We should form some kind of project or task force to pool our talents to impact or direct the future of Viper. Enough of this passive crap....lets fight for Viper! I for one will not let Viper go down w/out a serious fight. I definitely dont feel comfortable w/ Viper being owned by the Chinese.

We can get some brilliant minds together to get a project going to get Viper in the hands of the right investors.

[black mamba1]

Originally Posted by Brad04Mamba

I actually agree with something you have said

See, there is still hope!

[black mamba1]

Originally Posted by musicncars

I very seriously doubt that they need our help selling Viper. That would mean the VCA would act as a middle man and require paying more money.

I dont suggest we help them, I suggest we act as a brain trust or a committee, or organize our own investors. I am sure there are several investors that would want Viper. But I dont think we should go the way of Lamborghini and end up being owned by Indonesians interested more in bluster and bragging rights than heritage and performance. All I am simply saying is we have pull. Most or at least many of us buy more than one Viper and we are responsible for all the Viper events. Without us Viper would fall flat on its face.

I have debated with some extremely smart and strong guys in here. We can use those same energies to unite and make an effort to at least have a back up plan.

[alpine7822]

I think what you're suggesting is kind of like "brokering" the deal. However, you would need to find a manufacturer that is willing to take over the Viper. Saleen would be ideal, or someone else that does the same or similar thing. I think if you were to get Shelby involved that you would have better luck. However, if you were to form your own corporation, you would end up doing the same thing Chrysler is doing now...looking at the bottom line!

Chrysler is evaluating if Viper is worth keeping around. This simply means is the cost worth the profit...you've got to look at the margin. Yes we all love this vehicle, but if you are going to spend $10 mil a year to make $100,000, is it worth it? A private company that only makes the Viper doesn't have other profitable lines to "subsidize" a luxary like a halo car.

HOWEVER, if there's anything I can do to help...let me know! I don't want to see the Viper disappear either.

[Scott_in_FL]

The winning concept would be to organzie a venture to purchase the brand. Chrysler could remain involved at some very low level of participation (perhaps a minority owner, with the ability to repurchase a majority stake when they get back on their feet).

Sell preferred interests to Viper owners past and present, float a public IPO for additional funding, team up with a rock solid third party design firm and car builder (i.e. Pratt & Miller, Riley & Scott, Saleen, Roush) or just subcontract out the build process. Better yet, purchase the CAAP facility from Chrysler.

We could be the first enthusiast owned car company. With the narrow focus, and limited production, we probably escape CAFE standards and much of the DOT/EPA testing requirements.

[97GTS]

I too find myself in the almost uncomfortable position of being in agreement with BM1. There is still hope for this world!!


Ron

[Warfang]

If you think things get heated here when Chrysler does something boneheaded towards the Viper... just imagine if the brand is club-owned! Just the nanny-no nanny arguments here get nuclear.

There's an old drug dealer saying... don't get high on you own supply. I think the same can be applied to cars.

[Need1]

It's just a car...

[dave6666]

I'm out. Too much quality drinking time would be lost.

Plus, I already have the Viper I want.

Sorry.

[Need1]

Originally Posted by dave6666

I'm out. Too much quality drinking time would be lost.

Plus, I already have the Viper I want.

Sorry.

While y'all are out trying to save the Viper, Dave is being a productive member of society.

[dave6666]

Originally Posted by Need1

While y'all are out trying to save the Viper, Dave is being a productive member of society.

It had been at least 2 minutes since I last said something stupid. I ended up here at that moment of glory.

Sorry.

I really could care less if the VCA gets involved. If they do though, it won't affect whether or not I remain a member. I'm in, and you can use my membership dues as you choose.

[black mamba1]

We can either organize a venture to purchase the brand, or tap into the interests of existing venture capitalist already in existence. I have friends that are decendents of the RCA corporation founding family worth around a billion, another family who builds satellites, and another that invests in any new medical technology. Their combined net worth is between $6 and $9 billion. My point is that if I know people like this I am sure at least some of you guys out there know people like this too. While most investment groups only invest in certain niches that they are comfortbable with, the right approach will definitely get their attention.

I dont think this will be as difficult as one might imagine b/c Viper represents America and her values of strength. That image appeals to just about every American. No one wants to see Viper vanish, not even our Vette rivals want to see us go.

We can do this. And also, if Viper dies and we do nothing, how many of you could live with that? Certainly not me. I am going to organize a subcommittee to study the feasability of such a project and lets go from there. If you are interested in helping, please let me know.

[black mamba1]

Originally Posted by 97GTS

I too find myself in the almost uncomfortable position of being in agreement with BM1. There is still hope for this world!!


Ron

We always unite when it really counts!