Panoz Restores 1997 Esperante Supercar

Braselton, Ga.-based Panoz LLC says it has fully restored the last remaining Esperante GTR-1 Le Mans homologation special model. The 1997 supercar, which features an eye-catching green paint job, is being displayed at this week’s Dubai auto show.

The rear-drive GTR-1 is powered by a Ford-derived 6.0-liter V-8 engine that makes 600 hp and 500 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is mated with a 6-speed ZF manual transmission. Other goodies include Brembo disc brakes and 18-inch OZ Racing center-lock wheels shod in R18 tires. The carbon fiber-bodied car weighs just 1,980 lbs.

Panoz built two street-legal Esperante GTR-1s as part of the homologation rules for race series entered by the track version of the car, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France.

The company has no plans to sell the restored model, but it says it will build $890,000 replicas using the original body and tub molds for anyone interested. For an additional cost, buyers can customize virtually every part of the car, including substituting composites or other lightweight body panels.

Founded in 1989, Panoz builds limited-edition road cars and its own race cars. The current 430-hp Esperante starts at a comparatively low $179,000 and goes to $204,800 for the range-topping 560-hp model. The company sold its Panoz Motor Sports unit, which owns several race series and tracks, to NASCAR in 2012.