Simplify, Then Add V8: 1993 Panoz Roadster
The Panoz Roadster was launched in 1992 as an American interpretation of Colin Chapman’s legendary Lotus 7. If Chapman said “simplify, then add lightness”, then Don Panoz said “simplify, then add a Mustang V8.” The Roadster (later called the AIV Roadster) used Ford Mustang running gear, and powertrain installed in a welded steel chassis (the Aluminum Intensive Vehicle version later replaced the steel with aluminum for additional weight reduction). The end result was a 2571 lb Roadster with 240 horsepower 5.0 V8 (later upgraded to 305 horsepower with the 4.6 DOHC V8) and super car performance… at least super car performance for 1993 and a crazy price tag…at least usually. Today we’ve got a cheap example offered for a reasonable sum considering the rarity and cool factor. Find this 1993 Panoz Roadster offered for $25,000 in Dublin, GA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!
From the seller:
1993 Panoz Roadster
condition: excellent
cylinders: 8 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 35400
paint color: green
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: convertible
more ads by this user1993 Panoz Roadster – NEW PRICE $25.000!
Original Owner & Low Miles
This 1993 Panoz Roadster is one of about 44 built. It is a limited production sports car that received rave reviews in 1993 by many of the magazine editors that had an opportunity to road test the car. I have included some of the comments from some of the editors that road tested these cars in 1993 – 1994. Some of the specs that make the car immediately interesting is that it is equipped with the Ford 302 V8 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4 wheel disk brakes and just under a 100 inch wheel base. A top speed between 130 and 155 mph depending on which review you were reading. A most important spec on the car is that the 0-60 time was just over 4 seconds and more accurately maybe 4.2 seconds!! In 1993 that is about as fast as any production or limited production car would go that didn’t cost super dollars.
The craftsmanship on the Panoz was known to be near perfect and the acceleration was mind boggling and the Ford disk brakes just about stopped the car on the proverbial dime.
The facts on this particular 1993 Panoz
Has the original Ford 5 liter V8 (302 c.i.)engine.
The factory supplied Borg Warner 5-speed manual transmission.
35,400 miles on odometer.
This original owner Panoz comes with the optional full convertible top and side curtains, anti-theft device and Tonneau cover. It has never been in an accident and it comes in the original emerald green paint and lovely tan interior. One of the beauties of the Panoz is that it can be serviced at your local Ford dealer without any fuss.
Five years ago this car was brought up to top spec condition including all routine maintenance. The car also has an updated radiator, updated alternator and updated fuel pump.
This model of Panoz was built between 1992 and 1995 with only 44 cars built at the factory, making it an extremely rare collector piece of history. Another very interesting fact about the car is that the chassis is made from stainless steel.
If you like to collect cars that you won’t see coming and going at every car show, this could be the car that you are looking for. The Panoz fill the bill for those that want something really rare and also for those that want a highly drivable, super fast car that turns heads everywhere, this car will not disappoint.
The car is priced at a very competitive price, the internet is loaded with information about the 1993 Panoz.
Check out the fit and finish and near perfect seam and the non-flex stainless steel chassis and a weight distribution of 50/50. All this from several different road test of the days.
Video of car running on Youtube https://youtu.be/Hr0f7vcyTZY
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Didn’t think I’d ever see something from Panoz drop into DT price territory. The front end looks kind of like a football helmet on wheels, and there’s no mistaking that Mustang gauge cluster, but the rest of the view from the driver’s seat looks great.
These have always been in dream car territory considering my budget. This one is getting closer to the reality price. With a cheap 5.0 maintenance should be easy.
Stainless steel chassis? 😲
-Stan (who is rarely impressed by this stuff… but… damn…)
That’s potentially galling… and or galvanic!
Maybe, but that Citroen from the other day sure is gauling!!
At the very least gallic!
French cuisine does use a fair amount of gaaalic…
Seems like a bargain to me. I remember that these were a big deal in the car magazines when they hit the scene. Any new American manufacturer is/was a big deal. Panoz now has legit racing history too. I think I’d pick this over a $50K+ Cobra replica because it’s more rare and it’s authentic.
The front has a rounded “Lotus 7 meets Meyers Tow’d” look to it and the rear has a bit of a “C1 Corvette meets Austin Healey 3000” look to it. All of which seem to work together and evoke a Cobra vibe without imitating one. This car has to have some of the tiniest doors ever produced.
Can you imagine how much better the Plymouth Prowler would have looked if Chrysler only had to meet the vehicle safety standards of a small outfit like Panoz? They could have ditched the huge hideous bumpers and gone this route. I think the bumpers sunk the Prowler sales more than the V-6 did.
As a former owner of a 1961 Lotus 7 I have to disagree with the comparison beyond having exposed front fenders. This is much closer in spirit to the 1940s/50s Kurtis Kraft 500S, itself a street legal version of its Indy car. I’ll let that sink in for a minute. Unfortunately there wasn’t much of a market for that then or for the Panoz later so Kurtis made the 500S into a bloated two seat convertible that became the Muntz Jet. The less said about that the better.
Probably should add a link-
https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/kurtis/500-s/1954/510913