Incredible video shows just how rough the ‘Viper in the Sky’ looked when it was taken down from Kentucky dealership sign
Published on Oct 14, 2025 at 4:31 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Oct 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
A dealership in Kentucky used a Dodge Viper RT/10 – dubbed the Viper in the Sky – as an unofficial welcome sign for years.
Back in May 1996, Audubon Chrysler mounted a brand-new Viper onto a 30-foot pole at the lot.
The car, which has just 12 miles on the clock, came down for a refresh in 2009.
But 15 years on, it was time for another spruce up for the car, and images show just how in need of a clean the Viper in the Sky really was.
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The Viper in the Sky was in pretty bad shape when it was taken down
The first-generation Dodge Viper RT/10 was initially placed atop the pole as a marketing stunt.
But it wasn’t long before it became a beloved landmark for locals.
After spending almost 30 years up there, several locals believed that the Viper in the Sky was a model or a shell, but the car was the real deal.
Not only was it real, it was brand-new with just 12 miles on the clock.
After spending around a decade and a half at the top of the pole, the Viper was taken down in 2009 and given a refresh.
Then, last November, around 15-years-or-so since its last restoration, the Viper in the Sky was taken down once again.
A man named Scott Harris snapped images of the Viper being removed and shared them on Facebook, where he also revealed that getting it back to its former glory would be a big undertaking.
“My buddy Larry having the Dodge Viper brought down off of the Audubon Chrysler sign today so it can be refreshed,” he shared alongside the snaps.
“It’s going to be a bit of a bigger job than they first thought to revitalize.”
And he wasn’t wrong. As you’d probably expect, after almost 30 years spent 30 feet up a pole exposed to the elements, the car wasn’t in great shape.
The red paintwork was peeling and shabby, while the less said about the mold-filled interiors, the better.
After getting it back onto solid land, the team even discovered an entire bird’s nest tucked away inside the engine bay.
Not ideal.
The Dodge was given a much needed refresh
Thankfully, all was not lost for the Viper in the Sky.
It was taken down in November and was placed in the expert hands of Keen’s Auto Body and Paint to give it a much needed repaint.
“This landmark vehicle, which has caught eyes from all around, is getting a fresh, professional repaint by our expert team,” the team said.
“It’s not every day you get to bring new life to a car with such history and visibility.”
The whole process was turned into a clip shared online, where you can see the car transformed from shabby and sad, to looking brand-new again.
It’s since been reinstated and looks better than ever.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
