1989 Panoz Auto Development Founded
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- 1990 Roadster introduced
- 1996 A.I.V. Roadster Introduced
- 1997 Panoz enters Sporstcars
- 1998 Panoz Wins USRRC Team Championship
- 1999 Panoz Dominates American LeMans Series
- 2000 Esperante GTS Race Car Introduced
- 2001 The Rebirth of the American Sports Car
- - Panoz Auto Development, a leading manufacturer of high
- 2003 PANOZ LAUNCHES NEW ESPERANTE “GT” EDITION OF AMERICA’S PREMIER HAND-BUILT ALUMINUM SPORTS CAR
- 2004 PANOZ ESPERANTE GTS SPEC RACER TO MOVE TO SCCA’S GT2 CLASS
- 2005 PANOZ UNVEILS ESPERANTE GTLM PERFORMANCE MODEL
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1989 Panoz Auto Development Founded, We started Panoz Auto Development in 1989 with a love for the American sports car, a lot of ideals and a dream. We believed in the passion and purity that were once found in American cars. We believed in the maverick spirit that made them so unique and so original. And we believed that this passion and spirit had been missing in all cars for far too long 1990 Roadster introduced, From our small factory outside Atlanta, Georgia we went to work creating our dream. A car that would rekindle the flame. That would fill the void in everyone who longed for a true roadster made in America. Not by reviving the former glory of cars past, but by putting the same passion that produced those cars into a new and better sports car. One whose high performance and exotic looks didn't come at the expense of being temperamental and difficult to maintain. By 1990 our dream was realized in the Panoz Roadster. As its name suggests, it was a roadster in the purest sense. A true sports car of brute strength and raw power built for the absolute pleasure of high-speed driving. . 1996 A.I.V. Roadster Introduced, Our first cars were custom made to order for those few people who understood and appreciated our ideals. Soon more and more people began to understand. And by 1996, with our factory ready, the hand-built Panoz AIV Roadster went into full production. But even with its success we weren't about to rest on our laurels. It was time to take the next step and perform on a much broader stage. Armed with new ideas and the design and manufacturing innovations we'd created for the AIV Roadster, we immediately began creating our second offering, the Panoz Esperante. It too would have all the speed, power and agility of a pure sports car, but it would come in a more refined package. An exotic car that could be driven on a daily basis if desired. The Esperante would be our assault on the great sports cars of the world. And we would build it to not just compete, but to conquer them. In designing the Esperante, we saw the opportunity to take on the automotive industry in yet another arena, auto racing. In 1996 we founded Panoz Motor Sports and began work on the Esperante-derived Panoz GTR-1 race car. We were determined to race on the track what we build for the street. 1997 would mark our first foray into auto racing when the Esperante derived Panoz GTR-1 became the first competitive front-engine car in decades to run the grueling 24 hours of Le Mans and took Europe by storm. In one season, we went from having no team and no car to finishing ahead of all but two of the major factory teams. It is a symbol of our dedication to succeed at what we believe in, on our own terms. 1997 Panoz enters Sporstcars, It was time to take the next step and perform on a much broader stage. Armed with new ideas and the design and manufacturing innovations we'd created for the AIV Roadster, we immediately began creating our second offering, the Panoz Esperante. It too would have all the speed, power and agility of a pure sports car, but it would come in a more refined package. An exotic car that could be driven on a daily basis if desired. The Esperante would be our assault on the great sports cars of the world. And we would build it to not just compete, but to conquer them. In designing the Esperante, we saw the opportunity to take on the automotive industry in yet another arena, auto racing. In 1996 we founded Panoz Motor Sports and began work on the Esperante-derived Panoz GTR-1 race car. We were determined to race on the track what we build for the street. 1997 would mark our first foray into auto racing when the Esperante derived Panoz GTR-1 became the first competitive front-engine car in decades to run the grueling 24 hours of Le Mans and took Europe by storm. In one season, we went from having no team and no car to finishing ahead of all but two of the major factory teams. It is a symbol of our dedication to succeed at what we believe in, on our own terms. 1998 Panoz Wins USRRC Team Championship The 1998 season would see even more triumphs for the Panoz racing team with nine wins and four championships, including the US Road Racing Championship title. It would also provide Panoz Auto Development with even more valuable knowledge for use in our road cars. 1999 Panoz Dominates American LeMans Series By 1999 our involvement in auto racing exploded. Panoz Motor Sports now owns and operates three of North America's premiere racing venues, has founded the American Le Mans Series and established the Panoz Racing School. Each of these ventures continues to broaden our automotive horizons, but all are born out of our first passion. All contribute to strengthening and perfecting our original vision. To build the greatest sports cars the world has ever known. 2000 Esperante GTS Race Car Introduced The Esperante GTS was developed and built by Panoz Auto Development specifically for use in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) club events nation wide. The Esperante GTS is built from the ground up as aa affordable driver's class spec racer and meets all SCCA technical and safety requirements. It features a unique body comprised of fifteen ABS/acrylic panels, making it more durable, less expensive and easier to replace than fiberglass. Other features include an eight-point roll cage with triple tube side-protection and working doors. 2001 The Rebirth of the American Sports Car Esperante means "hope" or "spirit". A fitting name for a vehicle with the soul to challenge the belief of what a sports car should be. The Panoz Esperante, crafted by hand, represents a paradigm shift in American Automotive Development. A vehicle for enlightened enthusiasts - pure and simple. 2002 PANOZ LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED EDITION DRIVER’S ESPERANTE - Panoz Auto Development, a leading manufacturer of high performance automobiles and racing cars, unveiled the all-new Driver’s Edition of its luxury sports car, the Esperante at Las Vegas’ 2002 SEMA show. The Driver’s Edition Esperante celebrates the Panoz Racing Team and its leading drivers’ efforts. They are the direct result of a close collaboration between the Panoz Motor Sports and the Panoz Auto Development operations. Only ten Driver’s Edition Esperantes will be built to commemorate each of the team’s leading drivers, Jan Magnussen and David Brabham. The drivers have provided direct input on the technical, aesthetic and ergonomic specifications of the cars. Suspension settings, brakes, wheels, tires, seats, trim, colors and other details have been hand selected by both Jan and David. These limited edition cars have been designed to provide more of a pure sporting environment to the customer while retaining many of the highly acclaimed GT’s features, bringing more of the Le Mans performance and endurance ethos to the road cars. This new Brabham Driver’s Edition Esperante will be a 390-horsepower supercharged coupe and will feature carbon fiber super structures, custom carbon fiber rocker panels, carbon fiber roof, 6 speed Tremec T56 transmission, a cross drilled brake rotor package, BBS wheels (18 x 8.5 front 18 x 10 rear), Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires (245 x 40s front 275 x 40 x 18 rear) with Billet alloy pedals and shifter as standard. They are also fitted with lighter adjustable sport seats, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, carbon fiber side vents, complex reflex reflector headlamps and upgraded Rockford Fosgate stereo package. The new Brabham Driver’s Edition Esperante will feature the formidable 390 HP supercharged, inter-cooled, four cam, Ford SVT engine hand built by two-man teams in Romeo, Michigan. Panoz will also continue to service all Esperante customers through its nationwide dealer network. (more)
– Company founder and CEO Dan Panoz will unveil a new “GT” edition of the Panoz Esperante sports car at the Los Angles International Auto Show on December 29, 2003. The Esperante GT features the dramatic new body treatment and numerous performance enhancements from the exotic Panoz Esperante GT-LM. Panoz Auto Development, America's premier independent manufacturer of hand built, high performance automobiles, builds Esperante sports and racecars near Atlanta, Georgia. “Upon introduction of the limited edition Esperante GT-LM earlier this year, there were many requests to offer some of the car’s innovations on our standard model,” said Mr. Panoz. “That strong demand, coupled with our commitment to maintain the exclusivity of the exotic GT-LM, led us to develop the Esperante GT. This car offers world-class performance, rarity and a handsome body in a sophisticated, hand-built package. As Southern California is the sports car capital of America, it seemed appropriate to unveil this spectacular new vehicle at the LA Auto Show.” Like the GT-LM, the Esperante GT gives the remarkable Panoz platform a decidedly more sporting tone based on Panoz’s racing experience in the American Le Mans Racing Series. The rear subframe has been redesigned to feature a more aggressive suspension geometry and increase its structural stiffness while simultaneously reducing its weight. The new lightweight tubular control arms are designed to minimize the unsprung mass for improved wheel control. A new double isolated coil-over spring/shock assembly increases performance while simultaneously improving NVH characteristics. The Esperante GT’s aerodynamics package was improved with a new long nose, “duck tail” rear spoiler and long tail bumper fascias derived from the GT-LM. Other refinements include revised front and rear lighting along with custom front and rear grill work. The interior features new sport seats and a host of billet aluminum trim enhancements. (more)
Organization Reclassifies Racing Version of America’s Sports Car – The Sports Car Club of America has moved the Panoz Esperante GTS to its Grand Touring 2 class for the 2004 racing season. The Esperante GTS, which was developed specifically for use in SCCA club events nation wide, previously competed in the GT1 class. Panoz Auto Development, America's premier independent manufacturer of hand built, high performance automobiles, builds Esperante sports and racecars near Atlanta, Georgia. The Panoz Esperante GTS is eligible to compete in the Panoz Racing Series and SCCA GT2 class. Built from the ground up as a driver's class spec racer, the tube-frame GT racecar meets all SCCA technical and safety requirements. The Esperante GTS comes race-ready and sells for about $60,000 from authorized SCCA Enterprises dealers and select Panoz dealers. It features a unique body comprised of fifteen ABS/Acrylic panels, making it more durable, less expensive, and easier to replace than fiberglass. The car has an eight-point roll cage with triple tube side-protection and working doors. Weighing in at just 2,685 lbs., the Panoz GTS is powered by a Ford Motorsports 5.8 liter, 16-valve V8 capable of 385 bhp at 5,750 rpm. “We’re pleased that the SCCA reclassified the Panoz Esperante GTS from GT1 to GT2,” said Dan Panoz, President of Panoz Auto Development. “We believe this class better suits the Esperante’s power to weight ratio. This is great news for those who race the robust and cost-effective car, as well as those who are considering the Panoz Esperante GTS for future racing activities. (more)
– Panoz Auto Development has unveiled the latest refinements to its world renowned Esperante for the 2005 model year. The changes to the classic Esperante, GT and GTLM models are designed to enhance an owner’s experience with new levels of performance, style and comfort. Panoz Auto Development, America's premier independent manufacturer of hand built, high performance automobiles, crafts Esperante sports and racecars near Atlanta, Georgia. “The Panoz Auto Development Team is continually making new breakthroughs to incorporate into our high performance vehicles,” said Panoz Auto Development President and founder Dan Panoz. “For 2005, those innovations have further refined and enhanced the experience of driving and owning an Esperante. Lessons learned in our R&D department, customer clinics and on the track with the Panoz GTLM racecar, have made this the best Panoz car ever available to the public.” The Esperante is available in both convertible and coupe form. All 2005 models include new standard equipment inside and outside of the cars. Several new options have also been added to the lineup.
A new rear sub-frame, developed with technical partner Multimatic Inc., was introduced in 2004 with the GTLM. Now standard on all Esperante models, it reduces mass while increasing stiffness and features racing inspired suspension geometry. Rear control arms are fabricated, lightweight, tubular steel components bolted to aluminum uprights. This reduces un-sprung mass and works in concert with the double isolated coil-over spring/shock assembly to increase performance and improve NVH characteristics. Several new wheel and tire combinations have been introduced to the sports GT cars. The GTLM can now be optioned with polished or painted alloy 18” wheels. The GT and standard Esperante can be ordered with two new styles of 17” or 18” alloy wheels and upgraded tires. Download 34.02 Kb. Share with your friends:
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