The Dodge Viper first came about as an idea of Chrysler's then-president Bob Lutz, who wanted the brand to build its own sports car in the vein of the Shelby Cobra. Shortly after, Chrysler designer Tom Gale had produced a clay model of what would become the Viper, and plans for a V-10 engine that would be shared with Ram pickups were underway. Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca greenlighted the project and the world first saw the Dodge Viper as a concept at the 1989 Detroit auto show.