The Ariel Atom is a street-legal English sports car made of lightweight materials, designed for maximum speed. Built in England, the Atom 2 model (produced from 2003 to 2007) is capable of 0 to 60 mph in three seconds, and has a top speed in excess of 150 mph. The seller has one of these (out of 133 total builds), and it has just 3,300 miles and is in great form. Located in Franklin, Tennessee, the current bid here on eBay is $30,100, though the seller also says the price is firm at $50,000 (no reserve; can this be enforced?)
Brains behind the Atom is the British Ariel Motor Co. based out of Somerset, England. Some licensing to build them in the U.S. took place with Atom 3 and later versions of the hot car. Eight generations have emerged since the company was formed in 1999. These vehicles tend to have exposed chassis, sometimes referred to as exoskeletons, so there is no roof or windows. The drag coefficient is practically nil. These look like kit cars but are not.
We understand that driving an Atom is akin to driving a racecar. Atom 2s come with supercharged Honda engines that were rated at 300 hp (a lot for a 1,350-lb. car). Production of the Atom 2 averaged just 25-30 units per year, so a lot of hand assembly was required. Besides being street legal, the seller says this Atom 2 is both registered and insured. For a $50,000 car, the seller is light on photos. We’re told the car has all-new tires and runs and drives as it should. The interior features Sparco seats, but no photos. A 5-speed manual transmission is used, so the gearing isn’t as tight considering the top end.
Must be a blast to drive, and yes only 5 poor photos, all too far away.
These are cool high tech toys, but not race cars. One of these showed up several years ago on a Wednesday night when they had drifting and drag races. Neither association would sign off on its tech card, the open drivers compartment triggers specific safety equipment such as a full fire suit and arm restraints, the owner came with a sweatshirt and helmet, which was a no go as far as the track was concerned.
Steve R
I think if they didn’t set a reserve and there is a live bid, that’s a contract to buy and they can’t decline if it does not meet some other number. That’s why eBay charges higher listing fees if you put on a reserve, because it’s less likely to sell.
Also, the drag coefficient on these is not ‘practically nil’ it is actually terrible, around 0.4-0.5 (compared to a ‘good’ car that would be half that) – the open frame and big wing on the front and back both make lots and lots of drag (and downforce for the wings).
I’d reckon the seller just pasted the ad copy from another listing elsewhere, where he’d declared that $50k firm price.
That’s why you see a lot of “Seller ended listing because item is no longer available, or item is lost or broken” on EBay No Reserve auctions.
Car and Driver tested one in 2007 on a track said it passed a ZO6 like it was a mini van. Ran the quarter mile at 11.5 also insanely fast through turns on the road course. Pricing in 2007 went up to $124K depending on engines the one tested was the Supercharged Honda engine.
This is a car you really “climb in”.
Not legal in all states. No fenders makes it towable in some places
I’m sure you could throw on some trailer fenders on there if needed!
Most all that were tested by car magazines came with fenders from the factory. Would want fenders driving on public roads to keep from getting smacked in the face from any number of objects on the roads.
Ceertainly not a daily commuter; why buy it? Only a F1 Wanna-be driver would be seen in it. I frankly see no usage at all, none. Also – Ariel? Any relation to the fabled British motorcycle?
Wait, so do you commute in a classic car? We only feature special interest and classics here.
“ Ceertainly not a daily commuter; why buy it?”
An old quote from another time summarizes that answer best still-“different strokes for different folks”.
And NO-it’s not affiliated with the Ariel Motorcycle company.
Dude,
Driving one of these in the TN mountains would be AWESOME. F1 wannabe or not.
Time and a place for everything..
“It’s so quick it can destroy your entire face” Jeremy Clarkson
https://youtube.com/shorts/hL0gcNVXghs?si=FlXFqt6hrwGyiWXO
Yeah, the Top Gear episode featuring the Ariel Atom was a riot. I immediately went back to the winter of 1985 when I commuted to my factory job all winter (in Emporia, KS – snow, ice, and so forth) on a Yamaha 650 Special. Then I snapped back to reality, realizing that it is now 40 years later, I am 40 years older, etc, etc, etc. Sigh.
I did that in the late 60s in CO on a BSA 650 Lightening. I worked in a fancy seafood restaurant after school and I rememer one night it snowed and the roads had iced over while I was at work, so at 11:00 at night I was riding home in my dress blacks with black shiny shoes on using them as skis to keep the bike upright. How I didn’t get frostbite but because my feet were freezing, but I just soaked in a warm tub for a half hour after I got home and I was fine.
I did that in the late 60s in CO on a BSA 650 Lightening. I rode it year round and I remember one night in the middle of winter when I was workin at a fancy seafood restaurant it snowed and the roads iced over while I was at work, so at 11:00 at night I was riding home in my dress blacks using my dress shoes as skis to keep the bike upright. How I didn’t get frostbite I have no idea because my feet were freezing cold but I just soaked in a warm tub for a half hour after I got home and I was fine.
What a coincidence, I’m a lifelong Emporia resident.
I don’t think you can register it in Texas, I had one in CA and loved it
No fenders. Not legal in Michigan. Nice toy.
As mentioned above, but ignored by some commenters, fenders are available for these. Here is evidence – this one was for sale locally about a year ago and didn’t sell at 37K.
SOLD for $40,100.
22 bids.