Filed under: Sports/GTs, Green, Tech, Special/Limited Editions
MAKE reader builds Ariel Atom replica out of spare parts
Click above for more shots of this home-built Ariel Atom replica
We can think of few better ways to spend our evenings than bending, welding and beating metal into submission to produce our own car and it seems that we are not alone. MAKE reader, Utah resident and Flickr user proximacentuari took the design of the Ariel Atom -- currently one of the most desirable track cars in existence -- and replicated it in his home garage. What's more, he documented the entire process with pictures and uploaded the whole thing to the internet. This is the coolest show-and-tell ever.
Powering the beast, known by its builder as z59, is a Honda K-Series four-cylinder engine from a wrecked Acura RSX. It's an impressive build, taking "15 months and at least 800 hours of work in the garage," all done without any official Ariel schematics. "The frame is completely custom. I didn't make a single measurement off the real car... what you see is a series of very educated guesses," according to the builder. Much of the car is made from scrap parts, including the bodywork from a number of old appliances, a kayak and a doghouse. Check out a few pics in our gallery and click here to see the entire photostream on Flickr. Thanks for the tip, Pedro!
Gallery: Home-built Ariel Atom replica
[Sources: Flickr, MAKE]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
hankfidel 10:15AM (9/24/2008)
Two question , will it still be in one peace if hit a bump and will you be in one peace if you hit a bump?
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kfj 10:21AM (9/24/2008)
I was also curious about that as well.
Serge 10:21AM (9/24/2008)
Looks like a hunk of welded steel... I don't see why not. Will have the same lap times? That is the question. I'm sure the various chassis and suspension geometries are the hardest things to get right in a car... especially one that only consists of those things.
But not to rain on the guy’s parade. That’s an amazing job he did. Hope it drives well and serves up the fun!!!
soul7963 10:56AM (9/24/2008)
piece
Corey 11:13AM (9/24/2008)
I'll bet he'd be one unhappy camper...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2403/2249488788_26941b9211_b.jpg
kfj 10:15AM (9/24/2008)
That is crazy
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Ivan Tan 10:21AM (9/24/2008)
does it perform like the real Atom?
lol
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fixmypcnow.com 1:24PM (9/24/2008)
4.5 0-60 didn't sound too bad... 35mpg.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25435483@N00/2869079664/
Looks like he had the frame bending outsourced to a pro and he did most everything else. Looks great and I'm sure it's a blast.
but... Videos or it didn't happen!
Ivan Tan 1:06AM (9/25/2008)
wow! good job 4.5
Justin 10:21AM (9/24/2008)
What's the safety factor on this?
Don't get me wrong...I love home builds and innovations of any kind by a guy in his garage...but at high speed this could get dangerous. More power to him.
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Eric Liberatore 10:27AM (9/24/2008)
Amazing work! Look for the picture of the Lego slide scanner and the homebuilt welder made out of microwave ovens. Dude's got some brains.
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Eric Liberatore 10:28AM (9/24/2008)
Look for the picture on his Flikr account that shows that computer analysis of the car in a side impact. He did his homework and knows how to weld.
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IMF 12:58PM (9/24/2008)
Actually, he says is the Ariel Atom computer analysis, not his car. The 3D CAD belongs to the Ariel Atom too
Sam Russell 10:33AM (9/24/2008)
wow, serious props to this guy. Hopefully it drives close to the original. I'd like to know what the cost of this build vs. an actual ariel would be?
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benderillo 10:40AM (9/24/2008)
He says it cost him $11000
Franz 10:34AM (9/24/2008)
This is pretty impressive. The guy obviously knows a thing or two about welding and fabrication.
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MajorGeek 10:46AM (9/24/2008)
Looks great, although he needs help with the finish of it. Just seems that after all that work, a couple thousand in sheet metal and paint would have finished it nicely.
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Alex 10:52AM (9/24/2008)
Stuff like this makes me wish i knew how to weld.
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Kitko 10:58AM (9/24/2008)
Now, if cottage car industry lives on in Britain, it can live everwhere else. Hats off.
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Gregg 11:02AM (9/24/2008)
I wonder if he put the driver's side front tire facing the right direction yet
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