Vehicle Description
If you're a smart car guy, you'll spot the high-grade hardware
living underneath this home-made creation: a 2003 Panoz AIV
roadster chassis. With Mustang Cobra power, a sophisticated
all-independent suspension, and massive brakes, it's got the
hardware to be a sparkling performer. The bodywork is, shall we
say, unique, but there's no denying the potential that exists under
the skin.
We don't know what happened to the Panoz's original skin, but it
couldn't have been too traumatic because the stuff underneath is
still in excellent shape. This is a recent build and obviously the
builder wasn't from the English Wheel and planishing hammer school
of design, but that's OK. It does have an old-fashioned,
industrial-strength look that might grow on you after a while. It's
steel and diamond plate, so it's going to be virtually
indestructible and the red paint makes it look sporty. It's
unlikely that any aerodynamicists were consulted, what with the
upright windshield and massive wing, but there's enough power
coming out of the 32-valve Cobra motor that things like wind
resistance aren't really an issue anyway. It does have thoughtful
touches like a hood ornament, cool little tubular bumpers, and '39
Ford taillights with Model A auxiliary lamps up high, all of which
give it a familiar feel. Is this what hot-rodding would look like
if it were invented in the 21st century?
I suppose you could call two bucket seats and a steering wheel an
"interior" but this is really more akin to a 4-wheeled motorcycle.
The racing buckets hold you in place like your clothes were made of
Velcro, which, along with the 5-point harnesses, make you feel
pretty secure in a car without doors. Durable diamond plate makes
up most of the interior surfaces, so you don't have to worry about
wear and tear and you'll never have to vacuum the interior of this
car. The Panoz steering wheel made the transition intact, as did
the Cobra's white-faced gauges in the center of the dash, and a
custom center console was fabbed up to hold the 5-speed manual
gearbox. It's pretty light on creature comforts, but that's
obviously the point and it's street legal thanks to functioning
lights and signals, plus a manual wiper atop the windshield
frame.
The most appealing part of this car is obviously the hardware that
makes it go, starting with the 4.6 liter DOHC Ford V8. With more
than 300 horsepower on tap, the performance is exciting yet
reliability is virtually bulletproof thanks to OEM build quality.
It's a tight fit in the narrow engine bay, but everything's in
there and they did take the time to make the wiring and plumbing
work right. Heck, even the custom dual exhaust system is equipped
with catalytic converters, so this sucker should be emissions legal
in most areas. The Ford 5-speed manual is a slick shifting unit and
it drives an independent rear end with industrial-strength A-arms
holding it up. Four-wheel disc brakes are massively powerful and a
full set of Roush wheels give it an awesome stance. Recent
245/45/18 front and 295/35/18 rear BFGoodrich radials have been
fitted.
We don't quite know what to make of it either but that doesn't stop
it from being a blast to drive. Enjoy as-is or use it for the
foundation of another build. The hardware is incredibly competent
and it would be pretty hard to make a faster car for less cash.
Call today!
