As an exclusive alternative to mass-produced sports cars, the Panoz Esperante (produced from 2001-07 for its first generation) delivered a handcrafted feel combined with competitive performance credentials. Featured on AutoHunter is a 2002 Panoz Esperante convertible that has accrued only 16,035 original miles on the odometer. It is listed for sale by a dealer in Woodland Hills, California.
The Esperante was first unveiled at the 2000 New York Motor Show and went on to be assembled in Braselton, Georgia (about 50 miles from Atlanta) across two distinctive generations. The car’s engineering philosophy emphasized power-to-weight optimization, pairing a lightweight modular aluminum chassis with a potent Ford powertrain. And it all worked well, even in performance motorsports: An Esperante won the GT2 class at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 2006 — a feat that was considered a massive upset.
The Esperante’s “superplastic” formed (SPF) aluminum body panels gave it a smooth, streamlined silhouette. This low-mileage car’s exterior features include a black power-retractable top, vented fenders, center-exit twin polished exhaust outlets, and 17-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan Sport A/S tires. The athletic stance comes via Penske adjustable coil-over shock absorbers. It’s hard to believe the car is 25 years old!
The two-seat cockpit features beige leather upholstery, power-adjustable driver seat, center console, radio, cruise control, air conditioning, power steering, power windows, power door locks, and woodgrain trim. The odometer shows just 16,035 miles, and the title reads mileage-exempt.
The real magic of the Esperante is found in its power delivery, where momentum comes from a hand-built 4.6-liter DOHC Ford SVT-sourced V-8 mated to a TREMEC T45 five-speed manual transmission and an 8.8-inch limited-slip differential. The engine was rated at 320 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, both of which were strong numbers for a car that weighed only about 3,200 pounds. This Esperante recently passed a California emissions inspection, and the AutoCheck report is clean (corroborating the exceptionally low mileage reading with its most recent entry of 16,005 recorded in December 2025).
Panoz Esperante drivers are but a privileged few: According to data presented by Hagerty, there were only about 234 first-generation models produced. The Esperante is bound to turn heads (and start conversations) at car shows, on canyon roads, and at every fuel-up.
The auction for this 2002 Panoz Esperante ends Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
