This is a 1997 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 display model replicating chassis GTR1-003. Panoz was founded in 1989 as ‘Panoz Auto Development’ by Dan Panoz & his father, Don Panoz, took the Panoz brand to the racetrack in 1997 to further expand the brand. The Panoz GTR-1 is a racecar that was developed by both Panoz & Reynard Motorsport for grand tourer endurance racing in 1997. Don Panoz founded the Panoz Motor Sport Group in 1997, and following this, the company commissioned and raced the Panoz GTR-1. The GTR-1 competed in numerous races such as FIA GT Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans in Europe, United States Road Racing Championship & more. In order to meet homologation requirements, Panoz needed to develop a slightly modified road-legal variant of the GTR-1 to qualify, leaving us with the GTR-1 road car. Designer, Nigel Stroud was the man responsible for the design for the GTR-1, giving the car a unusual looking front-mounted engine design, resulting in Panoz creating the first purpose-built sports racer with this layout since the 1960s. From 1997-2004 the GTR-1 was raced globally with the car 20 podium finishes in international sportscar racing, 5 overall victories and 9 class victories. Chassis GTR1-003 had an active and diverse racing career spanning 1997 to 1998 and returning briefly from 2003 to 2004, participating in 27 events including two official tests. The Panoz GTR-1, most frequently piloted by Andy Wallace, James Weaver, and Eric Bernard, achieved a 75% finishing rate with 18 finishes and 6 retirements. While it did not claim an outright win, the real GTR1-003 earned two class victories, one second-place finish, and a total of four podium appearances. Notably, it also secured one pole position and competed at circuits such as Le Mans, Sebring, and Spa.
How many made? 6 track cars were built, 2 for Team Panoz, 2 for DAMS, and 2 for David Price Racing. This is a display model.
Engine: the race cars used a Ford-based V8 6.0-liter with around 600+ bhp, but the road variant received a 5.3L engine.
Debut: 1997 12 Hours of Sebring
Top Speed: around 225+ mph
0-60mph: around 3.2 seconds
Photo Credit: @classictorque
Research: @rarecarsonly
1997 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Display Model
20.05.2025
Panoz