Patrick Dempsey's 2002 Panoz Esperante part of the Coastal Motoring Tour

by Bernard Martin

Dan Panoz and Wayne Long at the Panoz Factory picking up the 2002 Panoz Esperante GTLM

The First Annual Amelia Island Coastal Motoring Tour hosted several unique cars including this very special, 2002 Panoz Esperante GTLM Coupe that was custom built for Patrick Dempsey when he was just starting his racing career.

Wayne Long talks to the new owner, Dr. Brad Warden, during the Coastal Motoring Tour final destination at the Grand Motoring Tour Hanger night.

This Panoz Esperante was 1 of only 500 hand built the cars just north of Atlanta, Georgia at the Panoz factory. It has an Aluminum Chassis as well as aluminum body panels. The body panels are non-structural.

​The Chassis is modular, build in 5 sections. It is is a mid-engine, front engine car with almost a 50/50 weight distribution. It is powered by a 32 valve Ford SVT supercharged motor with a Tremec 56 6 speed transmission.