In a world full of hybrid power plants, all-wheel drive, 12-step stability control and dual clutch gearboxes, the Dodge Viper nobly clings to the past with its massive naturally aspirated V10, six speed manual gearbox (with no automatic option available) and massive mechanical grip from its huge tire footprint.

As Chrysler has painfully discovered over the past few years with the reintroduction of the Viper after a short hiatus, it turns out there just aren’t that many well-heeled buyers out there who’re looking for a seriously intense, no-nonsense sports car like the Viper. And with cars like the Corvette offering an automatic transmission for those who’d rather not row their own, the Viper’s target demographic is substantially narrower than many of its competitors.

Last year, slow sales of the Viper resulted in a $15,000 price drop across the board, which had a positive, if brief, effect on units sold. But since then, and even with the introduction of the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR – the most track focused (and likely fastest) production Viper ever made, as well as the “1 of 1” customization program, interest in the coupe has remained at a lower level than the industry seems to think is sustainable.

A recent report on Autoline indicates that the snake’s days may be numbered, with a potential required refresh looming in the not so distant future, and the potential financial return those sales that might not add up to a profitable project to continue forward with. Autoline’s John McElroy asserts that production of the iconic front-engined brute will end in August of 2017. Here’s hoping John gets this one very wrong.