Restored Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Revealed in Dubai

If you were old enough to appreciate the powerhouse that drove out of Braselton, Georgia in 1997, then perhaps you were more than a little excited to see its re-debut at the Dubai International Motor Show this year. The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 homologation special, after six-months of restoration, was featured in all its nostalgic glory with a paint job mildly reminiscent of the eighties, and an offer from Panoz to build replicas for their customers.

This front mounted, all American, 6.0 liter Ford based V8 engine gives 600-hp and an estimated 500 pounds of torque by a ZF built six-speed manual transmission. Which by today’s estimation though not bad at all, we cannot in good conscience compare this almost 20 year old car to a present day model. The Esperante GTR-1 is a full carbon fibre construction coming in just shy of 2000 pounds and uses Brembo breaks and 18-inch OZ racing centre lock wheels.

Since this car was built solely for the purpose of allowing the Esperante GTR-1 to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other events, attraction was not a key in the design process and so the exterior aesthetic appeal of this car is a lacking. On the other hand to have garnered a Batmobile reference, the design team clearly did many things right. Panoz did seem to give the interior a second thought by providing a full leather suiting and altering it for purposes other than racing, even if it does look a little economical; but considering the fact that it was built in 1997, Panoz is most likely concerned with sentiment rather than beauty.

The Esperante GTR-1 exhibited in Dubai has been in the hands of Don Panoz since its inception, and at present there are no plans for it to leave his care. However, Panoz will manufacture your very own street-legal and most definitely worthy Esperante GTR-1 for a base price of $890,000. You’re definitely paying more for the legacy that anything, but if you want a race car royalty replica, you must pay the price. You may personalize this car to your hearts content, but these alterations will come at an extra cost. If all else fails and you just want to impress your neighbor without declaring bankruptcy, the latest version of the Esperante starts at around $179, 000.