On Nov 19, 3:10pm, Chip Mautz wrote:
> Subject: Re: Corvettes [was: your mail]
> At 11:30 AM 11/19/97 PST, you wrote:
> >Richard Jackson wrote:
> > > [snip]....to understand the American's, just look at the Corvette.
> >
> >
> >And look at the other "plastic" American sports-GTs; the Viper GTS
> >and Carrol Shelbys Series 1. Who could deny them? The Viper is
> >certainly in the Ferrari and Aston-Martin DB7 league.
>
> The new Corvette's body is no longer fiberglass, right? Isn't it aluminum
> now?
> >
> >But I still prefer the DeTomaso Pantera!
> >
>
> Those can be had at a steal these days. 17-20k for a world class performer
> (and overheater - you think a triumph overheats!)
>
> Another cool car made here in America is the Panoz AIV Roadster. Limited
> production right now, but soon to be available at your local Ford dealer
> (if they're lucky). 2 seat roadster - they use aluminum for their frame!
> They're the only ones in the world doing it, and it's amazing!
>
> I saw a car that got hit by a Chevy Lumina (3500-4000 lbs) and it wasn't
> totalled, and the driver wasn't hurt. This was an off-center front
> accident - not a headon (off-center hits do more damage to the car,
> passengers, etc.). The motor still ran in the thing.
>
> Oh yeah - the motor comes from Ford - their new 4.6 32 valve V8 SVT Cobra
> engine - good for 305 hp, all emissions, servicable at Ford Dealers. Most
> of the pieces come from different existing vehicles - Ford's, Mazda's, etc.
>
> See it at http://www.panozauto.com. I'm not a salesman, just fortunate to
> take one for a spin last Saturday! 0-60 in 4-4.4 seconds, 1600 lbs, 305hp
> V8, 5 spd ZF, etc. - what a blast!
>
> Chip
> (65hp Spitfire - on a good day!)
>
> ----------
> Chip Mautz
> Greenbrier & Russel
> Atlanta, Ga
>
> "Life is too short to drive boring cars"
>-- End of excerpt from Chip Mautz
Chip,
The Corvette is still 'glass. The Panoz not only has an aluminum
frame, but also has an aluminum body. Hence the AIV - aluminum
intensive vehicle. The engine is modified by Roush Industries.
We had one in our facility a couple of months ago, good looking
car and it is quick. Side curtains and air conditioning - what
a combination. Have they rearranged the console? On the car that
we had, you were going to mash your hand on 2-3 and 4-5 shifts.
Cheers,
Doug Mitchell
dmitchel@ismi.net
dmitchel@ford.com
'73 Spitfire 1500
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