Panoz Pointers
Thread Starter
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,356
Likes: 49
From: Cape Town, RSA & Sarasota FL
Panoz Pointers
Hey Guys
a friend from the track has recently imported two of these US cars.
They are Panoz Esperante GTLM +/- yr 2000 model. Running a Ford 351 motors,
with the standard rack (from a Mustang).
Is there a recommended/good forum/site for 'them' nonRLrs that anyone can point me to?
I've found PanozLife but its a bit thin on technical help. Any others?
He's unsure of how to solve some steering rack issues and having raced (what are now) classics for 30+ yrs he's no slouch with a wrench.
I know there's little chance anything can touch RL ... but I'm sure there's something an experienced hand would know about ...
trying to help keep our local track scene healthy means supporting all the cars in the series
thanks for any ideas
Matt
a friend from the track has recently imported two of these US cars.
They are Panoz Esperante GTLM +/- yr 2000 model. Running a Ford 351 motors,
with the standard rack (from a Mustang).
Is there a recommended/good forum/site for 'them' nonRLrs that anyone can point me to?
I've found PanozLife but its a bit thin on technical help. Any others?
He's unsure of how to solve some steering rack issues and having raced (what are now) classics for 30+ yrs he's no slouch with a wrench.
I know there's little chance anything can touch RL ... but I'm sure there's something an experienced hand would know about ...
trying to help keep our local track scene healthy means supporting all the cars in the series
thanks for any ideas
Matt
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 0
From: In the pasture.
Matt, if these cars use a rack from a Mustang, that should make it easy. Look for Mustang forums. I'm sure there are plenty. Mustangs of all years are, enthusiastically, supported in the US and likely in SA. Good luck.
PS Parts can't be too difficult to source here in the states. They can probably still be purchased from Ford dealers.
PS Parts can't be too difficult to source here in the states. They can probably still be purchased from Ford dealers.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,345
Likes: 1
From: Spartanburg, SC
I seem to remember these cars are pretty popular with the NASA GTS and SCCA ITE (or similar) classes. Have a look on some of the grassroots racing forums like SCCA, NASA, Grassroots Motorsports, and I'm sure there are a few others. You could also try giving the Panoz factory a call; it's a pretty small operation with nice folks working there. I grew up about 20 minutes away. There are a surprisingly large number of folks out there with experience working on the spec Esperantes.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 248
I had a chance to spend an afternoon talking cars/business with Dan Panoz a couple of years ago. He kept stressing that the use of stock ford parts meant that you could bring these cars to any ford dealership/mechanic and have things worked out pretty quickly. I second the recommendation for Mustang forums and/or mechanics. Good luck!
-Shawn
-Shawn
Trending Topics
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,202
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From: In the pasture.
Esparantes were not kit cars. They were designed and built at their factory in Braselton, GA.Dan Panoz gave me a personal tour about 5 years ago. Obviously some components were sourced from Ford. I suspect the ECU is custom and would most likely be the most difficult component to replace.
I wonder if they still own the factory. It was probably packaged with the track and ALMS and all went to Nascar.
I wonder if they still own the factory. It was probably packaged with the track and ALMS and all went to Nascar.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 248
I definitely wouldn't consider them kit cars either. Just because they sourced parts from a larger manufacturer doesn't make them kit cars any more than a Lotus Elise is a kit car for using Toyota engines.
Randy, I don't know what happened with the factory. I thought they closed up shop, but their site is still up and looks active. I moved out of the area years ago and haven't kept up with things.
Randy, I don't know what happened with the factory. I thought they closed up shop, but their site is still up and looks active. I moved out of the area years ago and haven't kept up with things.
appreciate the helping hand
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,470
Likes: 77
From: San Diego
you might check out http://corner-carvers.com/forums/index.php
lots of mustang tech and I've seen Panoz info in the past there
lots of mustang tech and I've seen Panoz info in the past there