18yo builds "Ariel Atom"

Post by **stipud** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:23 am

Just read this build log today and it damn near brought a tear to my eye...
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtop ... =36&t=3030

This kid is brilliant. 18 years old. Taught himself CAD, suspension design, welding, etc. and worked his ass off for 10 months to build himself a pseudo Ariel Atom.

Bloody amazing.

Post by **Bfowler** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:21 am

thats fucking cool. i wonder what the final bill for all that was. (Im sure it says, just too much reading for me to do now)

Post by **stipud** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:45 am

Bfowler wrote:thats fucking cool. i wonder what the final bill for all that was. (Im sure it says, just too much reading for me to do now)

$11000, including all tools, software, etc.

It's not an Atom clone either... the chassis cage has the same basic look, but the suspension is very different (and he even made some improvements).

It's worth running through the thread just to look at the pics. He made tons of progress in a short amount of time, since he basically did nothing but sleep, work and build the car.

andy600rr · Post by **andy600rr** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:07 pm

AWESOME!!!!

I've always wanted to build a lotus 7 based car and have it on my 'list of things to do' when I lose interest in bikes.

Thats a very very motivated kid right there. Shame he was short on time and rushed the bodywork (by his own admission) as thats the only thing which really lets it down

Post by **stipud** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:25 pm

andy600rr wrote:Thats a very very motivated kid right there. Shame he was short on time and rushed the bodywork (by his own admission) as thats the only thing which really lets it down

I found the canvas charming in a grassroots racing kinda way

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:50 pm

Man, that's pretty dope. How much fun would that have been? And I thought rebuilding a Datsun 1.2L engine (paint and all, I might add) at 17 was the bee's knees. Now I feel like I missed out!

However... I can't be the only one thinking this... where the hell was my $11,000 when I was 18? I can't even afford an $11,000 car today

andy600rr · Post by **andy600rr** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:52 am

The other thing that blows me away is that he said that although his father is an engineer, he did all the work basically by himself....... including making his first welder with the guts of a few old microwave ovens

Post by **Bfowler** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:46 pm

that IS just as baddass as the car! welder from a micro wave....thats amazing.

yeah...i sure didnt have 11k hanging out....at 18...or actually any point in my life

scorpio86 · Post by **scorpio86** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:27 pm

double that statement.. n if i did have 11k.. as much as i LOVE cars.. i cant say it would be that.. but props to him for sure!