Vehicle Details
- Year: 1998
- Make: Panoz
- Model: Esperante
- VIN: N/A
- Mileage Shown: 0mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Bill of Sale
- Color: White
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Grand Island, NY 14072
- Country: United States of America
- Lot #: V-0057819
Commissioned as part of the 1999 Women’s Global GT Series founded by Don Panoz to support the American Le Mans Series, this 1998 Panoz Esperante is chassis #11 of the identically prepared race cars built for the two-season series. Under prior ownership, this example underwent a comprehensive five-year, body-off reengineering focused on improving braking, safety, and power using very few original components. The chassis was reinforced and powder-coated, and the body was refitted with fiberglass and aluminum panels. It is now powered by a 570-horsepower dry-sump Ford 310ci TA engine built by Elan Power and paired with a Jerico 4-speed manual transmission. Offered with an SVRA logbook, spare wheels and tires, and extensive documentation, this Panoz track car has been stored inside a climate-controlled garage and is now being offered for auction by its seller out of New York.
Finished in white, the reengineered body of this Esperante features a lightweight fiberglass shell with aluminum panels during a comprehensive five-year restoration under prior ownership. The chassis was reinforced and powder-coated to address original weak points, while exterior details include hood latches, side air vents, a side-exit exhaust, and aero-optimized bodywork with a low front valance and prominent rear wing. It rides on BBS wheels wrapped in Toyo race slicks, and the sale includes four spare wheels and an additional set of new tires. The seller reports having used the vehicle approximately 7 times since 2017 as a track car, with a total of 52 hours on the car in total. A collection of images is provided in the gallery.
The cockpit is stripped for weight savings and features an OMP Racing driver’s seat, Racetech passenger seat, Schroth six-point harnesses, a Schroth center net, and a Personal three-spoke steering wheel. A full roll cage is integrated for chassis rigidity and safety compliance, while various auxiliary gauges, toggle switches, and an onboard fire suppression system complete the competition-grade interior.
Power comes from a Ford 310 TA engine built by Elan Power. Based on a Ford Cleveland 302 block, the engine has been bored to 310ci and features Ford SVO heads, custom headers, solid roller lifters, roller camshaft bearings, and roller rocker arms. Fuel is delivered by a 750 CFM Holley carburetor paired with an electric fuel pump. Compression is set at 12.8:1, and the engine is rated at approximately 570 horsepower at 7,700 rpm, requiring 100-octane fuel. A dry-sump oil system has also been integrated. The rear wheels are driven through a Jerico Performance 4-speed manual transmission paired with a Quartermaster triple-disc clutch. The rear axle is a Ford 9-inch with a 3.71:1 final drive ratio; a 4.11 center section is also included. A dedicated rear differential cooler with a 12-volt fan and thermostat have also been fitted.
The chassis rides on Penske adjustable coilovers with Heim-jointed suspension arms throughout for precise geometry control. Reinforcements were added to correct known weak points in the original design, and the frame was powder-coated during the body-off restoration. Braking is handled by Brembo calipers, with 6-piston units up front and 4-piston units in the rear, paired with Hawk DTC-60 pads. A driver-adjustable brake bias system is also fitted. The car weighs approximately 2,860 pounds and benefits from a 2023 engine rebuild which included a new clutch, replacement of all rocker arms, and a stainless-steel exhaust system. Fluids have been changed annually under current ownership.
This track car is offered with a bill of sale, an SVRA logbook from 2015, a binder with all parts and part numbers that were replaced, and engine specification documents.
The seller would like you to know: “This is a racetrack car. It was rebuilt by the past owner and reinforced at many points to correct weak spots and improve braking, safety, handling, and power. It comes with an SVRA logbook from the previous owner, but it was never in a race. I have used it only as a track car about 7 days a year since 2017. I have all the invoices for parts purchased and specs for the engine. This engine must run on 100 to 110 octane fuel because the compression ratio is 12.8 to 1. This is a safe and easy car to drive, even though it has manual brakes and power steering. The car has always been stored in a heated garage.”
Comments (13)
Bid in the amount of $9,000
Bid in the amount of $8,000
I have a reserve price that I would like to get. I will be gone until Monday, send me a message with your phone number and a good time to call.
@71camaro Do you have a buy it now price
Are we able to contact you directly by phone for some other information
@Robert328 The transmission is a Jerico type that can be shifted without using the clutch on up shifts and RPM matching on down shift.
Is the transmission a dog box type
@enkbecker Yes is is a fun and I always felt a safe car to drive. Over the years I have owned it I have sorted out a lot of things that the last owner did not do right.
I have a GTS now, track it mostly in Michigan, sharing it with my father, looking to get another so I don't have to share, these are fun cars! Originally from Oswego so I know Grand Island and could easily come pick it up.
Bid in the amount of $7,500
Bid in the amount of $5,000
Bid in the amount of $2,750
Bid in the amount of $2,500