“Viper” first came to the small screen thanks to NBC in 1994. It starred your stereotypical group of rag-tag science fiction anti-heros: James McCaffrey led the pack as top-notch get away driver for “The Outfit” (ominous, isn’t it?) Michael Payton. During a chase between cops and criminals Payton is almost killed in a roll over (featuring a “new” Dodge Stealth). Taken in by a secret police organization his memory is erased and recreated to be Viper’s experimental driver Joe Astor. But Who created Viper? Head scientist for the government and accidental paraplegic Julian Wilkes (Dorian Harewood) of course! After his flourishing career as a “technological specialist” was cut down during a shoot out between a gang and police, he is wheel-chair stricken – but it sure gives him a lot of free time to figure out how to turn a Dodge Viper into an armored crime fighting machine “Defender.” Throw in the antics of sidekick Frankie “X” Waters (played by Joe Nipote, the only character who remained for the series’ entire run) and you have a formula sure to dazzle TV audiences.

Well, maybe not – after average ratings and an expensive budget (it’s rumored each special effects transformation of the Viper into “The Defender” cost Paramount $50,000) the series was cut down before the first season ended. It was revived for three more seasons in syndication on the now departed United Paramount Network (UPN).

“Viper” was a hit for Dodge fans – not only did it star several versions of the hot American made sports car – every other car in the series was a Dodge too! The viewer was basically privy to an hour-long Dodge test drive video each week. Unfortunately, Viper Coupes equip with spy devices and pulse guns are not available on the general public.

Information/photos thanks to Wikipedia & Viper Central