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Video: The ugliest racing car ever sounded amazing

12th December 2022
Ben Miles

The best place to see the ugliest racing car ever in action? It’s got to be onboard surely, especially if that horrendously-designed machine also happens to be powered by a massive V8 engine.

We brought you our list of the ugliest racing cars ever a little while back, and it caused some consternation on Twitter, but we totally stand by our choices. One of them, possibly at the top, was the Panoz Abruzzi.

The last racing car seen from Dr Don Panoz’s Atlanta-based outfit, the Abruzzi is not a good looking road car and it looks even worse in racing form. But the ace up its sleeve, or under its jumper, is the 6.2-litre supercharged LS3 under its massive pronged bonnet.

That engine sounds phenomenal onboard, and probably as it passes, but it’s barely been heard in action. The Abruzzi took part in the 2011 Sebring 12 Hours and then disappeared off the face of the planet. So we have had precious few chances to ever see it in action.

Therefore, no matter how awful it may be to look at, we’ll always enjoy any time we get to experience the Abruzzi in action, and there’s no denying that it’s an aural treat.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: This BMW E46 M3 looks like the perfect track car

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