There were a total of 176 Panoz AIV Roadsters [Aluminum Intensive Vehicle] manufactured from 1997 thru 1999.
Mine is a 1999 Ten Year Anniversary model of which there were only 10 produced.
Purchased the machine new; it is number 7 of 10 Anniversary Editions and number 1 of 4 produced with a Kenne Bell Twin-Screw Supercharger installed by Panoz at their assembly plant.
Note the “tongue” on the hood forward of the hood scoop, this “tongue” was only on the supercharged versions so as to allow clearance of the pulley on the front of the supercharger.
Panoz Roadster Production Numbers
Start of Panoz Roadster Production:
1990 1 fiberglass body mule never titled.
1991 1 alloy body with stainless steel chassis race car.
Only car ever titled with the Costin rear end - titled as a 1992.
1992 9 pre-AIV Panoz Roadsters (all had stainless steel space frame)
1993 23 pre-AIV Panoz Roadsters
1994 6 pre-AIV Panoz Roadsters
1995 6 pre-AIV Panoz Roadsters
Pre-AIV Panoz Roadsters sold to the public = 44
Start of Panoz AIV Roadster production:
1996 Switch to Panoz AIV Roadster - 6 cars built for crash test and mules.
Only 4 survived as pre-production prototypes.
No 1996’s were ever sold outside the factory.
VIN VB213005 was the first production Panoz AIV Roadster sold to the public.
Those produced prior to #5 were built for testing, show and demonstration purposes.
1997 Panoz AIV Roadster Production:
21 Red
19 Black Metallic
4 Green
3 Blue
2 Silver
Total = 49
1998 Panoz AIV Roadster Production:
19 Red
13 Black Metallic
7 Sunburst Yellow
7 Silver
7 Blue
6 Cabernet
6 Ocean Extreme
4 Green
1 British Racing Green
1 Pearl White
1 Copper Bronze Extreme
Total = 72
1999 Panoz AIV Roadster Production:
16 Yellow
14 Silver
11 Titanium
8 Black Gloss
2 Red
2 Black Metallic
2 Blue Metallic
Total = 55
AIV Panoz Roadsters sold to the public = 176
Total Panoz Roadsters sold to the public = 220
Overview:
Designed and prototyped in 1996, the first Panoz AIV Roadster was sold in 1997. Production of this model ceased in 1999, but some were sold as 2000’s. There were even some cars that remained unregistered and were first sold in more recent years.
The Panoz AIV Roadster was made possible by the special engineering of its aluminum frame. Discussed in detail in this section, cars with aluminum frames are now much more common. Some Honda, Audi and Jaguar models are now built this way. However, in 1997 there were very few. The Acura NSX used aluminum unibody construction. The Plymouth Prowler used a partially aluminum body on an aluminum frame. What made the Panoz car so special was that it came from a small independent manufacturer who produced an innovative design before the majors.
Another event that allowed the Panoz AIV Roadster to come into being was the production of the Mustang Cobra. First offered in 1996, this Mustang had an all aluminum sophisticated V-8 engine. These engines were built by hand by a two person team. Each had a plaque that carried the signatures of the engine builders. The Mustang Cobra was built by the Special Vehicle Team (SVT) of Ford - the arm of the company that designed and built high performance vehicles. Panoz employed Roush to help fit this new engine and its five speed Borg-Warner transmission to the new Panoz Roadster chassis.
The Panoz AIV Roadster employed many other systems that were used in the Mustang Cobra such as the brakes, heating, air conditioning, ventilation system, wiring, engine computer, instruments and so on. As a result, the car can be serviced at any SVT Ford dealer.
The Panoz AIV Roadster was a mix of the very latest technology with features derived from cars of the 40’s and 50’s. For example, the top is a two bow affair with cloth covering that is erected and snapped onto the body with plastic side curtains similar to early British sports cars. In many ways, the car is a cross between the Shelby Cobra of the 60’s and a modern American hot rod.
Panoz AIV Roadster Specifications: [Non Supercharged Base Version]
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Engine 4600cc (Ford)DOHC V-8
Power (bhp) 305 @ 5800 rpm
Torque 300 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Redline: 6800 rpm
Miles Per Gallon: 17/23 mpg
Curb Weight: 2570 lbs
Performance (0-60mph) 4.3sec
Performance (0-100mph) 11.7 sec
Top Speed (mph) 140
Skidpad: .97g
Slalom Speed: 67.0 mph
Braking, 0-60 mph: 119 ft
Base Price: (1997) $56,750 (plus luxury tax)
Place Of Manufacture: Braselton, Georgia (USA)
The Last Panoz AIV Roadster:
The last Panoz Roadsters built were the Anniversary Editions which had titanium paint and polished wheels and engine. The interior was blue leather. Some had "aftermarket" superchargers. Each had a special plaque.
In 1999, the last 10 cars were sold in 2000 as anniversary specials. The Anniversary Editions are identifiable by their titanium paint, hand-sewn blue upholstery and 18-in. BBS RK chromed wheels with a unique chrome center cap. They had polished Penske shocks. Under their hoods, the Anniversary Editions had hand-polished aluminum valve and plenum covers. Panoz's signature was engraved on the top of the cylinder heads. Each engine also carried a number plaque. Four of these cars had aftermarket superchargers installed as non-factory equipment. In addition to the four anniversary editions that were supercharged, some regular 1999 cars were supercharged for dealers after they were sold by the factory. The 10th Anniversary Limited Edition A.I.V. Roadster carried a suggested list price of $68,850. The supercharger added $5695 to that. All 10 were sold before they were built.
This is one of my favorite machines; have had it for almost 15 years now and still as much fun as the first day of ownership.
Not a FGT, but it is one fun and very wild machine to drive.
