While this olelongrooffan sure enjoys car shows, as an automotive generalist, sometimes there are cars that I know almost nothing about.
Having said that, most of the time when I spot one, I can usually recognize that it is indeed a rare bird and gather some images of it.
The one thing about this Ariel Atom that I do know is there is a picture of Jeremy Clarkson riding in one with the wind blowing his face all over these tubes.
Its interior is super spartan and check out those ear plugs. While I did not hear this car start up, just the fact they are present leads me to believe this car is loud and windy.
Given all the carbon fiber present on it, I can imagine this is a pretty light and very quick sports car.
And by that logo present on the nose of it, is it Honda powered?
I can only imagine the engineering present on this buggy if the shock is placed horizontally on top of the front axle.
I will say this about that, this Ariel is definitely no trailer queen as demonstrated by the condition of the rear tires.
This olelongrooffan has a couple similar offerings coming to a screen near you later today. I’ve got to get out and get some fresh air for now. TaTa.
Hooniverse Weekend Edition: The Ariel Atom Edition
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11 responses to “Hooniverse Weekend Edition: The Ariel Atom Edition”
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off to motors.ebay.com!
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Thanks to Brammo's efforts at building Atoms under license in Oregon
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-16698181…
the state ended up with a new category of limited-use, street-legal vehicle, the Racing Activity Vehicle:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/vehicle/Racing_Act…
Not sure how many people have taken advantage of it, though. I've only seen one Atom with Oregon SP plates. -
Personally I prefer slower and more tactical vintage racing, but out of curiosity, which ridiculous superfast track toy would you hoons prefer in your fantasy garage: Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow, Caterham, or Lotus 2-Eleven? Assume top-end models, unless you want to compare the still very exciting base or older Caterhams and Ariels.
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Caterham for me, by the way.
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I actually just want a naturally-aspirated Honda powered Atom
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personally I wouldn't even want to go that far, with a Caterham I'd want one of the bottom end 1.4 or 1.6 liter models, nothing over 150 hp. I'd rather have a car where I can learn to play its limits than one where the limits are so frighteningly high that I only poke up towards them every now and then, which is what I know would happen to me in an Atom (and presumably does happen for most Atom owners).
I see there was an interesting comparison test on precisely these four options in Evo magazine, of all places: http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/227…-
Ironically, as I was standing by that McLaren, a couple dudes were talking and one asked the other "Which would you drive for two hours, this one or one of those (pointing to the Daytona Prototypes)? The other guy made pretty much the same point as you do, "the DP is an easier car to drive and easier to control the rear end on acceleration."
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The Daytona Prototypes are pretty appealing, though if we're dropping the word Daytona, then I'm back to that Daytona coupe from your earlier post. Along with the Ford GTs, the most drool-worthy car of your pics so far, for me.
But the DPs are way over my head too. I think I'd prefer learning to really milk the engine and preserve velocity on that Ogle GT I dream of building, or just on my old Z car if I ever refit it for track use, before I work my way up to the truly fast cars. Once I can beat some yahoos in Mustang GTs with a 30+ year old car, I might let myself graduate up to something truly fast, because I'll feel like I've earned it.
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It's a hard decision for me as I love both the Ariel Atom 500 and the Caterham R500 about equally. However, given the need to pick just one it would be the Atom 500. There's just something about the engine in that car. Plus, it's a little more elemental than the Caterham in that it does not really have a body on it.
However, if I had to replace my Geo Metro pizza delivery car with one of them it would have to be the Caterham R500 as it would be easier to secure the orders inside the cabin (once I took out the passenger's seat like I did in my Met.) The availability of a crude roof on the Caterham would also be an advantage on the pizza trade as it does get quite rainy here in Florida during the summer. It would also be nice to be able to finally drive a lightweight car for once as the Metro is a bit heavy at 1692 lbs ( I have always felt that anything north of 1500 lbs is a bit much for a 4 seater.)
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Looking at that rear tire wear, the owner needs to get the car re-aligned. Or stop racing ovals.
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You "know almost nothing about" the Atom? For shame! Turn in your Hoon Card this minute!
![jeremy![™] Avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3da80b98652d08760de4151090db3364?s=40&d=mm&r=g){kind=avatar}
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