1997 Panoz Roadster

This 1997 Panoz AIV Roadster is one of 176 examples produced between 1996 and 1999 and is powered by a Ford 4.6-liter DOHC V8 mated to a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The car is finished in black over matching leather upholstery and is equipped with a removable black soft top and side curtains as well as 19″ wheels, SVT Mustang Cobra-sourced disc brakes, adjustable coilovers, wind wings, a Nardi steering wheel, air conditioning, and a JVC CD stereo linked to Focal speakers. It spent time in several states before being acquired by the seller in January 2022 and now shows 44k miles. This Panoz AIV is offered with removed wheels and tires, the removed steering wheel, spare parts, two keys, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Virginia title. Designed by Freeman Thomas, the AIV, or Aluminum Intensive Vehicle, featured a superplastic-formed aluminum body with fiberglass fenders and a hood scoop. This example is finished in black and features chrome-finished bumpers and headlight housings in addition to body-color mirror caps, wind wings, rear gravel guards, and twin central exhaust outlets. Images showing the removed black soft top and side curtains are displayed in the gallery below. Silver-finished 19″ wheels wear Panoz-logo center caps and are mounted with 235/35 front and 295/30 rear Michelin Pilot Sport tires that show 2007 date codes. The car rides on a four-wheel independent suspension with adjustable coilovers, and braking is handled by four-wheel discs sourced from an SVT Mustang Cobra. The seller reports that the tie rods and bushings are due for replacement and spare components are included in the sale. The cockpit houses high-back bucket seats trimmed in black leather that extends to the dashboard, center console, and door panels. Appointments include air conditioning, drilled metal pedals, a polished shift knob, Panoz Roadster-branded floor mats, and a JVC CD stereo linked to Focal speakers. The flat-bottom Nardi steering wheel fronts centrally positioned instrumentation that consists of a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 44k miles, approximately 50 of which were added under current ownership. The 4.6-liter DOHC V8 was sourced from Ford’s SVT division and was rated at 300 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque when new. An oil change was performed in 2022. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission and a Ford 8.8″ rear end with a limited-slip differential. The differential fluid was flushed in 2022. The Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage and lists history in North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington, Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, and Virginia from the initial entry in October 2003. There is currently a lien on the vehicle, and the seller’s lender will need to be paid off before the title can be transferred to the next owner.