So, just picked up my atom
Discussion
Got one of the ex-Bruntingthorpe Atom 120s. Just drove it home from Brunters to Cambridge. Interesting going down the A14 with effectively no wing mirrors (how do you tighten them up ?). Nearly cried off as it has been raining heavily all day here, but decided I would not be able to sleep with excitement if I delayed it any longer.
Initial thoughts are what an ace car, can't wait to drive it on some twisty stuff in the next few days.
Ben
Initial thoughts are what an ace car, can't wait to drive it on some twisty stuff in the next few days.
Ben
benyeats said:
Interesting going down the A14 with effectively no wing mirrors (how do you tighten them up ?).
Adjust them carefully by twisting them delicately by hand til they're set up prefectly.
Then adjust them again after the passenger that's just got in has kicked it with their foot and somehow managed to elbow it at the same time.
Then set off down the road and realise that the vibration has re-adjusted them again for you so you have a perfect view of the ground beneath you.
Then take a trip down to your local motorbike shop and buy some new ones!!
P.S. Is my car still there? Does it go?
Hi Ben!
Welcome to our world - good here isn't it!
On the subject of mirrors, see previous threads, but I find these work brilliantly:
www.patternparts.net/keysearch.asp?keyword=mirror
and check out PPT 580210. £18 plus postage and you can have them tomorrow (in the UK)
They look like the original Mk1 mirrors (which I personally prefer), but they're not hand adjustable - everything has to be tightened in place (I've used rubber washers for extra vibration control) which means they can't do that wobble the stock items do. I've even had the customary passenger kick to them and they haven't moved at all.
They do vibrate a bit but they don't turn. And the longer stalks and very convex mirror means you can actually see what's behind you! And they look cool (see the atomclub gallery for pics)
Welcome to our world - good here isn't it!
On the subject of mirrors, see previous threads, but I find these work brilliantly:
www.patternparts.net/keysearch.asp?keyword=mirror
and check out PPT 580210. £18 plus postage and you can have them tomorrow (in the UK)
They look like the original Mk1 mirrors (which I personally prefer), but they're not hand adjustable - everything has to be tightened in place (I've used rubber washers for extra vibration control) which means they can't do that wobble the stock items do. I've even had the customary passenger kick to them and they haven't moved at all.
They do vibrate a bit but they don't turn. And the longer stalks and very convex mirror means you can actually see what's behind you! And they look cool (see the atomclub gallery for pics)
As the advert says 'envy is a dreadful thing'!
I don't mind admitting, I'm envious. I would have felt sick with excitement and I'm 52!
How far was your trip home Ben? Are you able to post an pics & spec details?
What was it like being famous as you drove along? I'm an ugly bugger so would have to wear a corsett and helmet so as not to destroy the illusion.
John
I don't mind admitting, I'm envious. I would have felt sick with excitement and I'm 52!
How far was your trip home Ben? Are you able to post an pics & spec details?
What was it like being famous as you drove along? I'm an ugly bugger so would have to wear a corsett and helmet so as not to destroy the illusion.
John
datasafe said:Oi, John! Less of the 'Poor me I'm an old fart at 52'! I'm exactly the same age as you and if I can act like a big kid, so can you! Just get on with it - sell the scooby (or keep it for shopping) and grab an Atom. Sieze the day and spend that rozzers' pension the best way I can think of!
I don't mind admitting, I'm envious. I would have felt sick with excitement and I'm 52!
I will post pictures as soon as I work out how to. The spec is as follows (what I have worked out so far)
-Atom 1 120 BHP finished in bogey green
-competition rod ends
-removable steering wheel
-non standard ECU which is fully adjustable (when I have -tracked down the software) also gives traction control.
-Loads of other mods, the guys at Bruntingthorpe work with Ariel on developments so a lot of little tweaks here and there.
Thats about all I can think of, will know more when I have looked the car over a bit more.
The journey home was about 70-80 miles mostly dual carriage way, which was hard work with effectively no mirrors. Loads of attention from other motorists even on that run.
Off to join the owners club now.
Ben
P.S. Andy I did see your car, they seem to have found the problem (something in the wiring) so I guess it is almost ready to go.
-Atom 1 120 BHP finished in bogey green
-competition rod ends
-removable steering wheel
-non standard ECU which is fully adjustable (when I have -tracked down the software) also gives traction control.
-Loads of other mods, the guys at Bruntingthorpe work with Ariel on developments so a lot of little tweaks here and there.
Thats about all I can think of, will know more when I have looked the car over a bit more.
The journey home was about 70-80 miles mostly dual carriage way, which was hard work with effectively no mirrors. Loads of attention from other motorists even on that run.
Off to join the owners club now.
Ben
P.S. Andy I did see your car, they seem to have found the problem (something in the wiring) so I guess it is almost ready to go.
Bruce Fielding said:I don't believe you're a day over 35 Bruce.
Oi, John! Less of the 'Poor me I'm an old fart at 52'! I'm exactly the same age as you
benyeats said:
-Atom 1 120 BHP finished in bogey green
-competition rod ends
-removable steering wheel
-non standard ECU which is fully adjustable (when I have -tracked down the software) also gives traction control.
Other stuff over a "standard" spec"...
- Stainless exhaust system
- Non-slip seats
- Improved rear "shelf" mounts
- Re-located oil filler and dip-stick
- Road pack
- Close ratio box
- 15" Technomagnesio rims
- Aluminium handbrake lever (yay!)
- Mk2 mudguards
- Locking fuel cap
...not bad at all!!
My baby's ready ...excellent, will give Daz a call today ...I've not driven an Atom since Thursday ...I can't cope much longer!!
.....and there will be another one in the Cambridge area in the not too distant future. I went to Somerset a week last Tuesday. Need to finalise spec and funds and we could have a bit of a thing going on in Cambridge before long.
Planning on sprinting next year again after a dabble in a 1.6k series Seven last year.
Not sure yet which class the Atom will slot into yet but I think I'm onto a winner.
Planning on sprinting next year again after a dabble in a 1.6k series Seven last year.
Not sure yet which class the Atom will slot into yet but I think I'm onto a winner.
I think you will find the MSA class the Atom as Sports Libre. Totally unreasonable in my opinion but they don't want to upset the seven'esque type car owners.
I want to do hillclimbs and thought Specialist Production Class (<1000 chassis per year) would be okay, but they said it wasn't a production vehicle.
Stew
I want to do hillclimbs and thought Specialist Production Class (<1000 chassis per year) would be okay, but they said it wasn't a production vehicle.
Stew
I'm amazed. Is that official?
Easy to see the Atom has an advantage - but a 220 should surely slot in with road going kit type cars and replica cars (including Lotus 7, Elise, Exige, Vauxhall VX220 and derivatives of these cars, Sylva, Caterham and Westfield cars).
A 300 however would be in Sports Libre due to the supercharger.
Interesting.
Easy to see the Atom has an advantage - but a 220 should surely slot in with road going kit type cars and replica cars (including Lotus 7, Elise, Exige, Vauxhall VX220 and derivatives of these cars, Sylva, Caterham and Westfield cars).
A 300 however would be in Sports Libre due to the supercharger.
Interesting.
Ultimately it depends on the club running the event, they can choose to use whichever MSA classes they want and even create new ones e.g. Atoms only (one day maybe).
It is best to ask the hosting club, tell them what car it is (they go blank for a while) and then they will tell you what class to enter. All in all a bit of a pain because you don't know where you stand until you approach each event. By which time its probably over subscribed.
Stew
It is best to ask the hosting club, tell them what car it is (they go blank for a while) and then they will tell you what class to enter. All in all a bit of a pain because you don't know where you stand until you approach each event. By which time its probably over subscribed.
Stew
Sounds like we will have to plan a Cambridge meet in the not too distant future. I am relatively new to the area so would appreciate being shown some good driving roads
(my daily commute along the A1198 is a roman road so not much cornering skill required, means the tyres last ages mind)
Ben
(my daily commute along the A1198 is a roman road so not much cornering skill required, means the tyres last ages mind)
Ben
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