Sub Atomic particles..(naked Atom pics..)

[breakaway500]

Doing some work on the Atom(s) and thought I'd share some naked photos...

Nose sections..held on by 3 small screws


the bare essentials..

Surfs up!



an Atom..with fenders..

If I can't drive them,at least I can take them apart... Hope I can get them back together by spring...

[962porsche]

when did you put the fenders on ?

[breakaway500]

That's my spare Atom. I don't run the fenders with the track size tires on my COM Atom.

[962porsche]

so your using R6's for street tires ? yes i do remember you were running bigger wheels .

[breakaway500]

Aren't DOT tires for street use...??

Front wings on and the billet rockers and HD pushrods.(suspension,not engine)

[paultg]

Cool pics. My favorite part is the dog though (super cute).

[breakaway500]

That's Zorra.. 20 week old Merle blue Aussie shepherd pup. I call her Squigs. My helper..if she eats any more of my parts...I'll have to install her. Ha! That's actually my "let's go for a nice long walk in the deep snow" look...

[962porsche]

deep snow what are you talking about we only got a dusting ? there was a 06 300hp supercharged atom that just sold for 42k at berrett jackson .

[breakaway500]

I have at least 12" of snow in my field and deeper drifts. Funny to watch the Aussie belly surf in the stuff.

That was a decent auction price for a brammo Atom2 in good shape. The Ariel factory in Virginia,TMIATi, actually has a special Atom3 available,brand new, honda powered,turn key for 49,999.99 . Ok,it's 49,980..but I like the 9's.. They are good people,and are building them right in the paddock area of VIR.Lots of options available as well. Nice test track! Link to Ariel in Virginia.. http://www.arielatom.com/

[962porsche]

i did not know there was a 500 hp V8 atom . what would that car be classed in spa? is the atom considered a production car ?

[breakaway500]

I suppose you could argue the Atom500 as an SPA car, as it has fenders,and is fully street legal.The Atom has always been a production turn key car,and is NOT available as a kit;never was.It was sold in "kit" form because in some states, it is much easier to register a kit car than a low production specialty vehicle, like the Atom.
I believe you would be a terror in SPA class.I doubt they would let you stay there for long...1500lbs and 500hp..= 3lbs/hp. It has a redline of 12k rpms and a 6 speed sequential shifter.Not much can stay with that car...never mind once you start modding it... I have seen one once,and have to say..the exhaust note on that car is almost worth the asking price. I do know someone who built their own V8 powered Atom and has recently offered it to me for sale.He runs Palatov Motorsports in Oregon and builds many performance parts for the Atom.His name is Dennis.Link to his website... http://www.palatov.com/index.html

The V8 Palatov Atom uses the same Hartley engine the Atom500 uses;



I really don't need another Atom...unless he makes me a deal I can't refuse....

I offered to borrow it ....


Dennis also builds the AWD DP1 which uses the same 500hp V8..



I would love to see one of these at a COM event...

[Neptune441]

[962porsche]

the atom's list price is 49.9 for the 219 hp NA speced one .thats right at the top of my budget and the dp1 would blow my budget away . i would still have to do shocks and springs ,wheels and tires ,shipping the car to me . ????????? i will have to check so more on used ones . but its on my short list of car to check out .

[breakaway500]

Every car I have bought in life (and I am talking many hundreds..) have been used.Some have been for retail resale,some just because I see a lot of value in what I am buying.
There are used Atoms available in the $40-$45k range needing mostly good tires to be pretty fast on track,assuming you are truly thinking about an Atom...
Parts are readily available and many upgraded performance parts as well.
Maintenance/repair costs are not unreasonable:most US built Atoms use Cobalt-SS drivetrain components;Ecotec LSJ engines/F35 transaxle,(factory Torsen diffs) These are in Cobalts,Ions and some Saab 9-3's(turbocharged)..fuel pumps,electrics,clutches,etc.
Lots of high performance parts available. Lots.Anything you can dream of..want 1k. HP? GM has one out there racing.
The LNF turbo engine in the newer(08-up) Cobalt SS, HHR and Solstice/Sky will bolt in with minor mods.
A race set of rear billet uprights is $1800,complete.If you track your Atom,a good option to replace the factory stuff.
Good tires for track are about $600pr. rears...500pr. fronts.Seem to wear well enough for multi event use.You can use cheaper tires,but not better..
They don't offer you any kind of climate protection.If it rains,you will get very wet,and driving becomes very challenging.On a hot day,the car is a joy to drive..lots of ventilation.
There is a learning curve to the car,like most cars. Seat time will make you faster,and smile a lot.
People will think you daft.Most think I am anyway,so no loss there.
If you don't like answering questions about your car,don't buy an Atom.(or hide ..)
This is the Atoms 10th year of production and there are many happy owners who would not sell their cars for anything else.
They are not for every one,but what car is?

[962porsche]

i to have purchased more cars than i would like to remember most rear and exotic's . thats why i can't see my self in a honda . but my thinking of a new atom is its only 3 or 4 k more for a new one with zero miles . but on the flip side of the cion that 3 or 4 k i will have for extras . i will need things like wet and dry tires . i am tired of getting wet when i race . i did the GNCC and NETRA hare scrambles for 20 years . i have had monkey butt some many time i'm still growing skin back on my ass . but for performance like that i'm still going to look and see whats out there .