Atom update
- Thread starter wbmusarra
- Start date
Ron Earp
Admin
Yep, fantastic! Malcolm and I visited the factory in England in 2002 while the company owner Simon took me out and about in one. Very well built cars and were somewhat affordable then since he offered two to me for like $31k, sans engine and transmission. Now that Brammo has become involed here in the US as the US manufactuering site and dealer they are not that inexpensive. And Jay Leno did not get the first one in the US, there were two others here before that, Jay might be getting the first one from the US factory but not the first Atom around these parts.
The UK is always ahead of us in cool motorsport. These things have been around since about 2000 but now, in 2006, are actually hitting the press in the US.
The UK is always ahead of us in cool motorsport. These things have been around since about 2000 but now, in 2006, are actually hitting the press in the US.
Had seen two of them on the road here in Aus (or it may have been the same car twice). They are a damn good idea and I think is the continued evolution of the pure and affordable sports car before it lost its way in the seventies, the previous being the Triumph TR3 and the Lotus 7.
The car I saw seemed like it had been used extensively but had one minor construction flaw. So much of the car is exposed to the elements and many exposed fasteners and minor components were made of plain steel and had surface rust. In the overall scheme of things that’s not such a big deal, but they stuck out like a sore thumb and really let the car down. Hopefully they now use stainless or anodized items.
The car I saw seemed like it had been used extensively but had one minor construction flaw. So much of the car is exposed to the elements and many exposed fasteners and minor components were made of plain steel and had surface rust. In the overall scheme of things that’s not such a big deal, but they stuck out like a sore thumb and really let the car down. Hopefully they now use stainless or anodized items.
Ron, i think this is one of the guys who is before Leno. Check his DP1 project also, amazaing what one engineer can do on his own!!!
Heres the site: http://www.dpcars.net/
Heres the site: http://www.dpcars.net/
I have driven two on the track at Eastern Creek, they handle great, I only wish i got to drive the super charged version like Jeremy Clarkson drove on top gear. The concept is perfect for a track car, the car only has what you need on it.
Steve
Steve
Ron Earp
Admin
I read that one article - good luck with SCCA certification and spec class! And by 2007 no doubt! We're trying to get ITR off the ground for IT classes, one above S, and it is hell. I can't imagine trying to pull this off - either they don't know the SCCA or are really optimistic.
The SCCA is full of dudes in white suits that think the heyday of racing was Prod in the 60s/70s. If it isn't their idea, and this isn't, then they aren't going to go for it. Heck, they have a hard enough time with the SCCA Enterprises car that is a flop, this would be a threat to it and I doubt has a chance of happening. I'd love for it to though, a competitive place to race these things would be wonderful.
Ron
The SCCA is full of dudes in white suits that think the heyday of racing was Prod in the 60s/70s. If it isn't their idea, and this isn't, then they aren't going to go for it. Heck, they have a hard enough time with the SCCA Enterprises car that is a flop, this would be a threat to it and I doubt has a chance of happening. I'd love for it to though, a competitive place to race these things would be wonderful.
Ron
Doc Watson
Lifetime Supporter
look at this.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdkEV-t9jg0
Its a good car if you want to pull funny faces without trying....lol
Doc Watson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdkEV-t9jg0
Its a good car if you want to pull funny faces without trying....lol
Doc Watson
Road going Atoms look great, race versions are ugly with their roll cages. Really spoils the lines. My opinion of course! But fast fun cars all the same. Often see them on my track days out. They also do race here in uk but don't know which series.
I remember Ron's face after he got back from his test ride. I think he is more used to the open roads of North Carolina than rural England! Maybe that is why they have plastic bucket seats....
I remember Ron's face after he got back from his test ride. I think he is more used to the open roads of North Carolina than rural England! Maybe that is why they have plastic bucket seats....
Electric Atom! Take a look at this.
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/11/19/electric-car-thrashes-ferrari-and-porsche
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/11/19/electric-car-thrashes-ferrari-and-porsche
You can see the electric Atom video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2DGfisAndI
It's being modified by a US company called Wrightspeed
http://www.wrightspeed.com
(they don't mention the Atom on their website)
The regular Atom does 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. The electric Atom does it in ~3 seconds.
It's being modified by a US company called Wrightspeed
http://www.wrightspeed.com
(they don't mention the Atom on their website)
The regular Atom does 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. The electric Atom does it in ~3 seconds.
