MAKE reader builds Ariel Atom replica out of spare parts

[Mr Kleen]

MAKE reader builds Ariel Atom replica out of spare parts

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.

[spazegun2213]

800 hours!?!?!

[Cereb Daithi]

....wouldn't it just be easier to spend those 800 hours building something that isn't a blatant rip-off that isn't as good? I mean think of all the time that gives you for other automotive masterpieces. 800 hours could build something wicked of your own personal design.... and not earn you the title of "hey aren't you that guy that built that car that fairly resembles an ariel atom in looks but doesn't really do much else?"

[snaab]

If he had just worked 800 hours in a ten dollar an hour job, there's a cool 8 grand right there. Minus taxizzles.

[Mr Kleen]

the hater-aid is strong with these forums...

[complacent]

I think that is awesome.

Just as awesome as the guy who built that functioning1:12 scale Ferrari.

[avriette]

800 hours could build something wicked of your own personal design....

looked pretty wicked to me, man, kayak or not.

[Cereb Daithi]

Oh don't get me wrong. It's cool. But I'm a strong believer of the mentality of, if you have the knowledge, ability, time and money: create new things, don't recreate someone else's idea. Originality always will score more points in my book. Maybe I'm just a cynical bastard I just don't find atoms all that impressive.

[Libra Monkee]

This makes me think... hey Zacharia! You have a couple spare parts laying around don't you?

[complacent]

I just don't find atoms all that impressive.

Really? Forgetting the performance to dollar ratio, as well as the outright performance numbers.... uh.... wat?

What exactly would you consider impressive then?

[chicken n waffles]

Oh don't get me wrong. It's cool. But I'm a strong believer of the mentality of, if you have the knowledge, ability, time and money: create new things, don't recreate someone else's idea. Originality always will score more points in my book. Maybe I'm just a cynical bastard I just don't find atoms all that impressive.

i think the entire point of that build has completely flown over your head by about 10 miles. if he wanted to replicate an atom, he would've studied schematics, diagrams, white papers, whatever he had to in order to prove that he could replicate it on his own.

the fact that he built an atom clone with A SERIES OF EDUCATED GUESSES is worlds more impressive to me than copying someone else's work. damn impressive if you ask me, and damn original.

[Libra Monkee]

Being able to make a reasonable facsimile of a complicated piece of machinery that's the size of a go-kart but has the power of a supercar without ever looking at the cookbook is damn impressive.

[sirwilliam]

This makes me think... hey Zacharia! You have a couple spare parts laying around don't you?

[Sabre]

I'm shocked that's all the time it took. I would have thought more considering how little he had to go by. Makes me REALLY want to start one...