Vocational Tour

Just over two years later after the birth of Panoz Auto Development, the first model came out, the 1992 Roadster. Built in the company's small factory in Atlanta, Georgia, the car set about reigniting the true spirit of the American roadster. By 1995 the AIV Roadster, the first American Aluminum Intensive production vehicle, came into full production.

In 1997 Dan’s father, Don, decided to enter racing to better promote his sons products. The difference between Panoz and many other manufacturers was that they strived to keep their racing versions as close to their road cars as possible.

The next model to come out of the Panoz plant was the Esperante GTR-1 and it was entered in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race quickly became voted as “fan favorite” at the event.

Despite its Italian and Irish roots, Panoz Auto Development was as American as apple pie. Not a big volume manufacturer of cars, Panoz was able to treat their few cars with great respect, hand-crafting each car, and rigorously test them before they were handed to their owners. Panoz cars bear the ultimate mark of exclusivity.

In order to better develop their products on the track, Panoz then intensified its involvement in racing. Panoz created the American Le Mans series in 1998, opened up a racing school, and took part in other racing championships, such as the US Road Racing Championship which it won in 1998.

In 2000 Panoz developed the Esperante GTS, a car which would serve in the Sports Car Club of America as well as several spec racer and GT car feeder series. Measures were taken to ensure the car was inexpensive to maintain and very safe to race. Replaceable acrylic body panels were among the many innovations that keep the GTS car popular to this day.

All to the efforts in racing paid off in 2006 when Team LNT took a Panoz Esperante GTLM to the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans race and won the GT2 class beating out every major sports car manufacturer entered that year.

Put in a nutshell, if you're looking for an American sports car with ultimate exclusivity and true performance as its heritage, Panoz is the only company to call on.