Roy Sjoberg, the automotive mastermind celebrated as the "Father of the Viper," has passed away. The news came from Ralph Gilles, Stellantis’ Chief Design Officer, via Instagram.
A Man, A Vision, A Viper
Sjoberg’s legacy is forever intertwined with the Dodge Viper—a car that went from a concept to an icon in just 36 months. Back in 1989, when the Viper concept stunned the world at the North American International Auto Show, it was Sjoberg who took on the challenge of making it road-ready.
-
Team Viper: Originally, Sjoberg assembled a tight-knit group of 85 Chrysler employees. However, as excitement grew, that number swelled to over 300. Eventually, he managed to bring it back down to a manageable team size—an achievement that required more than just engineering skills.
-
The “Can Do Man”: Ralph Gilles described Sjoberg as the motivator behind what would become Team SRT. His leadership didn’t just build cars; it built a legacy.
Not Just a Viper Guy
Before Chrysler, Sjoberg was the right-hand man to Zora Arkus-Duntov—the legendary “godfather” of the Corvette. This connection proved invaluable later when Chrysler faced a gearbox dilemma.
-
Gearbox Gamble: Initially, Getrag was tapped to supply the Viper’s six-speed manual transmission. However, just before production, they doubled the price. Sjoberg, unfazed, leveraged his GM connections and convinced BorgWarner to step in. Result: Crisis averted.
The Test Drive That Sealed the Deal
Perhaps the most critical moment in Viper history was the test drive with Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca. In 1990, Sjoberg took Iacocca for a spin in Viper mule #2. After a brief but spirited drive, Iacocca famously climbed out and asked, “So what are you waiting for?” Production got the green light.
A Legacy on Wheels
Beyond the Viper, Sjoberg’s influence extended throughout Chrysler and the automotive world. His legacy lives on every time a V-10 Viper roars to life—a fitting tribute to the man who made it all possible.
Roy Sjoberg: 1936 - 2025
American sports cars owe much to Roy Sjoberg—proof that vision, passion, and a little bit of daring can change the automotive landscape forever.
