Chrysler Engineer Francois Castaing Has Died,1945-2023

Francois Castaing, who engineered the Dodge Viper, helped take Jeep from a niche off-road brand to a major market presence, and helped lead Chrysler during what was its last great renaissance in the 1990s, has passed away at the age of 78.

Born in wartime France in the bustling port city of Versailles, Castaing would have an influence on many race teams and production vehicles over a prolific career that spanned more than 30 years.

While still attending engineering college in Paris, he worked for Amedee Gordini’s race team, diving right into the engine from the team’s Le Mans effort. After a stint in the military Castaing returned, by which time the team had been absorbed by Renault. They named him Technical Director and won Le Mans in the first attempt of which Castaing was a part, then entered Formula 1.