The really old readers will recognize this Panoz Esperante GTR-1 from 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans. Slightly less old folks like us will probably remember it best from an old video game called Midtown Madness. And the very young won’t give a damn to it. At any rate, this crazy road-going Panoz has been fully restored and is now on special display.
Commissioned by Don Panoz and designed by Adrian Reynard, the 1997 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 is one of the most iconic race cars of the 90s and the fact that they made the road-going version – which was required by regulations – just like the racer is just amazing. It is still very American, which means it has big power and very little finesse when it comes to using it. But hey, that’s part of its charm.
So let’s check out the specs of this good-as-new Panoz Esperante GTR-1. It is powered by a 6.0 liter Ford-based V8 engine pumping out 600-plus horsepower and 500 lb ft of torque, mated to a six-speed ZF transaxle transmission (located on the rear axle). The car weighs an incredibly light 1,980 lbs (898 kg) and relies on Brembo brakes all around for stopping power.
The open-top Esperante GTR-1 is going to be a showpiece attracting customer to Panoz’s more modern products, the Esperante Spyder, Coupe, or Convertible ($179,120), and Esperante Spyder GT, Coupe GT, or Convertible GT ($204,750).
