Ian's Pretty Pictures: 2008 Dodge Viper

While the editors here at Cars.com spend their time writing about innovations in horsepower, upgrades in headroom and the institution of usable third-row seating in crossover SUVs, I spend my time making sure the photos look good for our users. When it comes to my job, all cars are created equal. Makes and models are given the same amount of respect in front of the lens, so as not to sway potential car buyers, but some cars certainly catch my eye more than others. That’s why we came up with this new feature on KickingTires. This will be where I can better show off the aesthetically interesting cars that come into the fleet. Here, their looks speak for themselves. You can browse all my shots below.

The 2008 Dodge Viper is something of an enigma to me. The car itself is not known for groundbreaking looks or forward-thinking design — it’s an All-American muscle car, for crying out loud — but it does has a gravitating pull to it. I still picture the first Viper, with its hokey, smiling grille and its matching TV show, and it makes me guffaw. But after 16 model years and a couple of slight redesigns and makeovers, I’ve decided that I love the look of this car. The ‘08 Viper has one of the sleekest sight lines of any car on the market under $100K. At any speed, your eyes flow from the serpent badge on the front, over the wheel wells and vented hood, past the driver and low-profile windshield, and on to the slightly rounded rear end. The air intake in front of the rocker panels emotes the idea that a jet engine just might live under the hood. With grittier angles and aggressive headlights, this beast is just waiting to get out there and burn some rubber in the closest parking lot. Any way you spin it, this is a pretty car. Who cares if I’m a sucker for a red convertible with racing seats?

Related
2008 Dodge Viper Expert Review (Cars.com)