Yet, the same dealers are repeating the same scenario and try again to charge more than MSRP would suggest.
Then of course, there are other ways to charge more, about fifty grand for grafting Generation 4 top and associated hardware on the factory hardtop, apparently selling exclusivity.
However, how about doubling the price of the Dodge Viper? Now, this is a truly impressive way.
What is needed? First of all, the necessary ingredient is named Bob Lutz. The second ingredient is named Henrik Fisker and someone named Gilbert Villarreal. When these three are put together, the result is called VLF Automotive.
Other needed elements needed is of course start up cash, ability to bypass safety requirements and donor Generation 5 Vipers.
Now, going back to Henrik Fisker, an interesting individual, recognized for not as much his car design triumphs but his collapsed Fisker Motors venture that resembled a lot John DeLorean's demise, minus the drugs.
Henrik Fisker has a few designs in his portfolio, including the failed BMW Z8, rather successful Aston Martin Vantage (successful only due to Callum's involvement) and of course, the failed all electric Fisker Karma.
Recently, Henrik Fisker distinguished himself by offering a rebodied Ford Mustang, called Fisker-Galpin Mustang Rocket, for about 110k in hardtop and 130k in a speedster version, both powered by 725 hp massaged Mustang motor.
Apparently rebodied Mustangs do not find too many buyers at this price, especially considering offerings from Shelby and Rousch, thus, Henrik is on to another money making venture: VLF.
As mentioned a while ago, Bob Lutz had an urge to make some money and carve his place in automotive history by modifying 25 Fisker Karma cars he managed to snatch during Fisker bankruptcy proceedings, equipping them with new bumpers, grilles and +General Motors derived Corvette LS9 engines under company he created with Gilbert Villarreal, called VL Automotive. Apparently now, Fisker decided to join the team and brought with him another car to the line up, a car called Force 1 to compliment the four door Karma/Destino.
The Force 1 is nothing else than the design Fisker called in the past Thunderbolt (yeah, just like James Bond movie). The Thunderbolt was a great name for his so called design because it happened to look exactly like the current line up of Aston Martin two door cars, especially the Vanquish and DBS (although all AM's look very similar). In fact, the Thunderbolt looked so alike AM that it motivated AM to sue Fisker for copyright violations, in a law suit that supposedly was settled recently. Allegedly, Fisker agreed to abandon the Thunderbolt dream and come up with a different design that could not be mistaken for AM.
And now, it is the time for 2016 and Fisker apparently living up to his bargain with AM and instead of Thunderbolt, there is a new offering from the new company, VLF, and this offering, unveiled at 2016 NAIAS is now presented as VLF Force 1.
But.. there is a real kicker: Force 1 looks exactly like the Thunderbolt, i.e. it looks like another Aston Martin, just with a VLF badge. So what happened here? Apparently Fisker suffered from creative black out and disregarding his agreement with AM, went ahead with his AM look alike anyway. How will AM react to this move is yet to be seen.
How does Dodge Viper fit in this whole mess? Here is how it fits:
Even though Thunderbolt/Force 1 looks like AM knock off, it is strictly a Generation 5 Dodge Viper underneath. Even the fortification to the motor is the one offered by Arrow.
In fact, underneath, the new VLF is all viper, using different body panels and upholstery.
So here is this 245k car, all Viper, right down to the dashboard and column stalks and windshield pillar trim, easy to recognize, in spite of different body panels, just like that Fisker Mustang. Obviously, Bob Lutz went with his personal choice as the donor, due to Bob's Viper roots. The problem here however is the obsolete Viper platform that changed very little since the very first generation and one that peaked with Generation 4. The platform happen to flex a lot and is just so so in the 90k Viper but how on Earth can someone justify charging 245 grand for rebodied Viper? There is really no exclusivity here beyond kit car bragging rights.
Really, it is very disappointing that neither Fisker or Lutz could come up with anything better, at least providing a modern chassis to set this peculiar creation apart from the donor car.
The biggest irony: cost wise, a real Aston Martin can be had, without a need to explain to anyone why the car that looks like one has that VLF badge on it.
Certainly, a very disappointing move from Bob Lutz, a guy that supposedly was such a Viper driving force. No surprise from Henrik though, LOL.
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