This Unique American Roadster Featured The Engine Of A Mustang And The Essence Of A Lotus | Carscoops

      A rare sports car made in Georgia is currently up for auction on Cars & Bids, featuring a supercharged SVT Cobra V8.

      Approximately 176 Panoz AIV Roadsters were manufactured in Georgia from 1996 to 1999.

      While the standard 4.6 DOHC SVT Cobra V8 produced 305 hp, this particular model has been supercharged.

      In the latter half of the last century, Europe didn't hold a complete monopoly on compact, agile sports cars. The Panoz AIV Roadster may appear to have European roots, but it was actually designed, engineered, and produced in the United States.

      Fans of endurance racing or early Gran Turismo games are likely familiar with the Panoz name. Their competitive vehicles have triumphed at prestigious events like Sebring and Le Mans, and the founder, Don Panoz, established the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

      You might not be as acquainted with the company's Roadster unless you remember the lesser-known racing game, Midtown Madness. Between 1994 and 1998, only about 220 units were produced across two generations, with 176 of them being the AIV Roadster that debuted in 1996, replacing the original version.

      AIV stands for aluminum-intensive vehicle, indicating that the more advanced second-generation models had an extruded aluminum spaceframe chassis instead of a steel tube one. However, there were additional enhancements made to the models produced from 1996 onward.

      Both iterations employed Mustang powertrains, but the AIVs transitioned from Ford's pushrod 5.0-liter V8 to the DOHC 4.6 found in the Mustang SVT Cobra. This engine generated 305 hp (309 PS), which is less than what a modern 2.3 Mustang Ecoboost produces, but was substantial for its time, especially considering the AIV's light weight of just 2,571 lbs (1,166 kg).

      The car could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under 4.5 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). The wine-red auction car, while not one of the factory models equipped with a supercharger, has been modified to include one over the years. Although the listing does not provide dyno results, it is expected to have substantial power and torque.

      Inside, the blend of wood accents, white dials, and tan leather epitomizes the 1990s, and the view from the driver's seat over the pronounced hood bulge, flanked by cycle fenders, is certainly distinctive.

      As for the exterior, while the unique combination of Light Car Company Rocket, Caterham Seven, and Shelby Cobra may not be conventionally attractive, it will undoubtedly catch attention. You can view the auction listing here.