FCA will convert the old Viper factory in Detroit into its new museum home

Until last August, the few units that passed through the gates of the FCA Group factory in Conner (Detroit, USA) left the facilities, whereas in the near future that route will be reversed, and the old facilities where the group built the Viper until last August will reopen their doors to host the Group’s extensive car collection, with the firm hope that in the medium term the FCA Museum can one day be opened to the public.

The roughly 40,000 m§h3Alfa Romeoh4§ occupied by the Conner facilities in Detroit will once again see the Viper. Specifically, the most representative versions in the model’s history will share space with the most iconic and characteristic models in the history of Chrysler and the FCA group’s brands, as the automotive group intends to revitalise the old facilities and turn them into an emblematic space for its history, specially equipped to host events and presentations, initially for internal use, and eventually to transform it into a museum housing the collection of more than 400 vehicles and concepts owned by Chrysler, with the aim of consolidating the entire collection under one roof.

FCA wants the Conner Center to replace the former Walter P. Chrysler Museum, which had to close in 2016 when its facilities in Auburn Hills (Michigan, USA) were converted into the new headquarters of Alfa Romeo and Maserati in the United States following the merger of the Chrysler Group with the Fiat Group.

“Conner Avenue is an ideal place to display the vehicles that have sustained the company for more than 92 years,” says Brand Rosenbusch, historical services manager at FCA US. “We are proud of our history and have worked diligently on the daily care and restoration of these important vehicles. This move will allow us to house our entire collection under one roof and have the space to share that history with our employees and with the brand’s followers.” Conner Center will be reconfigured to accommodate new meeting and exhibition spaces, and the rest will be used as the company’s historical storage centre.

For now, following the end of Viper production last summer, the old Conner factory is being emptied. Thousands of Viper parts will go up for auction shortly to benefit local charities in southeastern Michigan. Until 13 April, through the website you can access the more than 1,800 Viper items, including signed and engraved parts and components, posters, and other articles related to the brand’s iconic model that will be auctioned. There will also be parts from the limited edition Plymouth Prowler.

Eight display cases, signed sketches and posters, more than 500 artworks, clothing, keyrings, coffee mugs: everything will be put up for sale, including sketches of the Viper GTS signed by the Chrysler executives responsible for its development: Bob Lutz, Tom Gale and Francois Castaing.