V8 Atom

[CAG3D]

Hi all, having been an Atom owner for nearly a year now, it’s fair to say I have the bug.

My business partner and I are seriously contemplating ‘investing’ in a V8 Atom.

I would love to know your thoughts on this, Ariel has one at the moment, I believe they’ve had it sometime?

Thanks in advance...


Tony



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[AlanP]

Tony,

I'd leap at the chance, BUT, I think you'd need to keep the miles off it, get a trailer, keep the 3.5R for most weekends and be utterly anal about keeping it perfect.

It'd be like having an F40, spectacular of course, but requiring commitment.

But for those days when you give it the beans! Wow!

You need to experience the gearbox, that'll help.

Alan

[Hedge]

I’d speak to the factory about how best to keep it maintained. They’re notoriously fickle wee things. But, aye, do it. Why not, if you’ve got the dough.

Cheers,
Hedge

[phil4]

Well, it is one of the fastest and most powerful Atoms. They only made a very limited number. And it’s yet to be surpassed.

I’d love one personally but at that price I think Alan sums it up - it’s an investment that would be more about storing, transporting, servicing and keeping it low mileage.

Or put another way, if it was about driving you could get most of what it has, for about half the money, law of diminishing returns and all.


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[John Scherrer]

Pixel peeping, this is No 1 of 25

(The Jersey '500' was No 2 of 25)

I think 2 went to France (Monza) plus another ..

[CAG3D]

Nicely spotted, first one produced!!


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[ooinaru]

Judging by the car thats listed at Ariels website for as long as I can remember, there is no market at prices they are selling at.

[CAG3D]

I’m not sure, as they were sold at £150k + when new, so it doesn’t sound like a made up price
Surely only 25 made will make it very collectible in the future
But you are right, it’s been listed for a long long time.....


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[Monza]

I have done more than 5000 km with my V8, just sold 2 weeks ago. Just for information, i have owned or driven every Atom model since first Atom 220 appart two models : Atom 2 275 and 3.5 R WITH Sadev.

In fact the V8 is a fantastic Road car , much better than any other Atom model (not really for big town or to busy roads but it can do it as well).
The stiff V8 chassis (i have Ohlins fitted on it, because Intrax were a little bit to hard for roads but can now be upgraded at Intrax , as some as done it on Atom Mugen) is as good as a 3.5 with same dampers of course, but the couple Sadev +V8 is incredible, really incredible. Lot of torque from idle to 10krpm and of course uncommon capacity to accelerate/overtake !
Of course if you want to do 10 000 km each year don't buy it because of engine maintenance costs but to do 1000 to 2000 km/year, why not.
The use you can do of the V8 has a direct relation with money you can spend on it. A McLaren P1 owner had a big smile when i gave him an engine rebuilt cost because he is tracking is P1 and pay more than twice for his discs/brake change after 2 trackdays
Ariel knows now the v8 engine much more than at the beginning and several upgrades had been made during rebuilt (on the one they sell).
And on track ? I'm a reasonably fast track driver and all i can say is that the V8 is fast, really fast on straight and is cornering as a 3.5R with same tires and dampers. It's an incredible feeling to drive it in particular upper 100 mph speeds. If you push hard and make several trackdays a year, you'll need to have an annual budget for engine maintenance (nothing to do appart from that because other mechanical parts like Sadev gearbox or clutch are indestructible, only oil change !).
So yes the Atom V8 is not for every hands but, to my opinion it's under quoted (not speaking of money here) for such an amazing iconic car. It's the price of a GT3 to obtain sensations/feeling that no other car will give you, clearly no one. Ariel image is exceptionnal but it can make a step in the higher range and perhaps that the future electrical hipercar will help to do it, and that will help to recognise the Atom V8 as it should be.

[CAG3D]

Hi Monza, what sort of money did you sell your V8 for?




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[Monza]

A little bit higher than the one for sale on Ariel website.

[wasp]

I'm a reasonably fast track driver

Really, a Frenchie being humble??

For those of you who don't know, Monza is a very gifted driver indeed (track & race) and he really, really knows about Atoms. I would follow his advice ref the V8.

Cheers,
Stu

p.s JP, are you going to join us over at Spa next year, it's the only way I'll ever know just how fast the 4 can go?! (And it reminds me of how slow I am!)

Cheers,
Stu

[John Scherrer]

Another one for Sale (No 3 of 25) at a Belgian dealers for 199k Euro.

This one is Left hand drive and doesn't have the ambidextrous option like the factory one.

http://www.pch-automotive.be/vehicule/consult/2153