1999 Panoz AIV Roadster Roadster

Panoz Auto Development Company produced a limited-production Roadster which they launched in 1992. This was followed by the Panoz AIV Roadster which was introduced in 1997 and utilized a new extruded space-frame structure and many lightweight aluminum parts, including the all-aluminum Ford Mustang SVT Cobra V-8 engine, with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. With about 70 percent aluminum construction, the Roadster was given the AIV moniker, denoting Aluminum Intensive Vehicle, the first such car built by an American manufacturer.

The AIV Roadster's body panels were bonded to the car's frame with specially developed adhesives. Taking about 350 hours to build, these were never mass-produced vehicles. It had an open cockpit design, a simple folding top, and side curtains for weather protection. Weighing just 2,650 pounds, zero-to-sixty took a mere 4.6 seconds with a top speed in the neighborhood of 140 mph. When new, the Roadster sold for $65,000. Among the legendary honors was Aerosmith's frontman, Steven Tyler.

Produced briefly through 1999 with approximately 10 sold as 2000 models, total AIV Roadster production amounted to just 176 units plus six prototypes.

This example is finished in yellow with black rear-fender guards and a black leather cockpit. It is a late-production 1999 Panoz AI Roadster that came equipped with new with optional wind wings, floor mats, and the aluminum accent package. In 2006, the current owner acquired it with just 77 miles traveled from the original owner, a Chicago-area automobile dealer, and collector. it currently has 680 miles on the odometer.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Russo & Steel auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $38,500 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013