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Panoz Esperante
2003 Panoz Esperante Roadster Part Lotus, part Miata, part Ferrari, yet all-American and somehow all its own, the Panoz Esperante proves that high-quality, low-volume GTs can be built in the U.S. and sold for less than $100 grand. Understand this, right up front: The Panoz Esperante is not a kit car or a conversion based on anything else. PAD is a certified OEM, and the Esperante is a unique and purpose-built piece. Yes, there are "buy" parts in it, but a low-volume producer can't survive financially doing it any other way. Panoz summarizes the approach upon which the car was designed and engineered: "We developed our own stuff where it mattered, or where we wanted to do it our way. And when it didn't matter, or would be cost prohibitive, we went outside." The Esperante was launched in mid-2001, and, technologically, its calling cards are aluminum and carbon fiber. Several elements of its chassis are composed of super-strong extruded alloy, and they're bolted and bonded to several substructures. One beauty of this methodology is that most frame pieces--including the side-impact crush- zone members--are replaceable in the event of damage. If there's any car that gives its all for the Esperante, it's the Mustang Cobra. Much of the "black metal" that makes up the Esperante's front floorpans, firewall, and windshield header--brutally expensive structures to develop and certify--comes from the '02 Cobra, as does its 320-horse DOHC V-8, Tremec T45 five-speed manual transmission, certain front and rear suspension pieces, emissions gear, and electrical componentry. The Esperante was launched in mid-2001, and, technologically, its calling cards are aluminum and carbon fiber. Several elements of its chassis are composed of super-strong extruded alloy, and they're bolted and bonded to several substructures. One beauty of this methodology is that most frame pieces--including the side-impact crush- zone members--are replaceable in the event of damage. If there's any car that gives its all for the Esperante, it's the Mustang Cobra. Much of the "black metal" that makes up the Esperante's front floorpans, firewall, and windshield header--brutally expensive structures to develop and certify--comes from the '02 Cobra, as does its 320-horse DOHC V-8, Tremec T45 five-speed manual transmission, certain front and rear suspension pieces, emissions gear, and electrical componentry. Esperante's softly curved, raw aluminum bodywork fairly glows in the light and is almost too pretty to paint. Fortunately, there's damn little paint underhood, just the well-coordinated ensemble of a big aluminum V-8 and more composite trim. Aluminum panels just ahead of the radiator housing carry the signatures of each Panoz team member who worked on the car; the optional carbon-fiber intake housing is a piece of art. Sporty, luxurious, and comfy describe the cabin; stitched leather, body-colored carbon fiber, and machined aluminum trim dominate the look. The padded power top goes up and down easily, but when you hear the Esperante's mellifluous Magnaflow-muffled stainless-steel dual exhaust system, you won't much care about putting the top up unless you encounter a blizzard. This isn't a small car, and there's plenty of room for drivers of most any size. Power windows, doors, locks, and seats are standard. On the road, the Esperante is equal parts sports car, gran turismo, and muscle machine. It's about 300 pounds lighter than a Cobra coupe, and thus feels considerably more spirited. The Engine is mounted low, well back in the chassis, and, as noted, burbles with polished-yet-muscular authority. Special shift linkage moves the shifter rearward in the cockpit, and it's well placed for a good row. It's difficult to believe there's any Mustang componentry in the steering, as it feels lively, communicative, with just enough power-assist; quicker, too. Cowl shake? Forget it. The structural integrity of these underpinnings is what gives the car a precise feel and also minimizes squeaks, creaks, and clunks. The notion of a handbuilt roadster with an exotic chassis and aluminum bodywork sounds expensive. While a base price of $88,950 isn't cheap in anyone's book, it's fully competitive with vehicles like the Jaguar XK8 and Porsche 's Carrera cabriolet. And a helluva lot more unique, which has got to be worth something--especially to dedicated Car Fools who just won't settle for having what everyone else has. Like Danny Panoz. This Car New was Over $90,000.00 Very Low Miles...23096 Actual Miles. Very Rare Hand Built Car The Cars Name is Amanda The Factory Names each car when they are Hand Built Lots of Carbon Fiber and Aluminum to keep these Cars Light Weight Hand Built SVT 4.6 COBRA Motor Do your Research...These Cars are Incredible
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Seller Information
- Name:
- Gretchen
- Posted on: 2014-07-12 17:29:49
- Classified ad views: 5
- Item ID: 1553166