Panoz Esperante lives!

The first roadgoing GTR-1 has been restored by Panoz, on show in Dubai

Hopefully you can understand that this Panoz Esperante story was never going to be about simply the restoration of the first GTR-1 road car. Through just a few clicks you're deep into the realms of 90s sportscar racing stories, of rule manipulation, cars not being built, failed Le Mans ambition and more. That and some incredible vehicles, including the Venturi 600LM, Lotus Elise GT1, Toyota GT-One, Nissan R390...

There's was a hybrid once too. This isn't!

Anyway, to the Esperante. This is the original road legal GTR-1 produced by Panoz, a car not at all close to the regular Esperante. Much like the CLK-GTR and 911 GT1, the need to win at Le Mans was far more important than tangible production car links. It was powered by a 600hp Ford V8, weighed 898kg and with power sent to the rear wheels by a six-speed ZF transaxle gearbox. The interior may look like any other sports car, but with the front off it's clear this is a thinly disguised motorsport car.

It's been at Panoz HQ since its build, now freshly restored after six months of hard work. Predictably enough they're quite keen to keep hold of it, but can build you another GTR-1. Using the original moulds, Panoz "can create either a near-exact carbon fiber [sic] replica or a modified version using alternate composites and lightweight technologies."

For those lacking the $890,000 being asked for a GTR-1 recreation though, Panoz is also resurrecting the "ultra-exclusive 25th Anniversary Edition Esperante Spyder GT". A little less exciting than the Le Mans homologation car but one to send fans of 90s supercar curios wild. It has 560hp, a six-speed manual, a superformed aluminium body and a price from $179,120. There will only be 25 but there aren't any images accompanying the release. Funny that.

Should you have enough money for this car (surely Panoz has a price for this) or another Esperante, Panoz is at the Dubai Motor show, Booth #277, Hall ZAB2. There's little danger of seeing another at the track day...