After visiting Brammo to test drive the Ariel Atom 2, I placed the first order for a US car about 5 minutes after they began accepting deposits in 2005. I picked up this car (ID# RAM279) in Ashland, Oregon on May 26, 2006. The car was registered on Jan 2, 2007 as part of California's speciality constructed vehicle program with an SB100 kit car smog exemption - thus the car is a fully registered and titled vehicle in the state of California (with a "pink slip") and has been insured with Geico since it was purchased.
The SB100 exemption entitles the owner to a legal lifetime smog exemption (thank you state senator Johannessen), this allows for tremendous flexibility in the engine. - running with or without catalytic converter staying with the existing GM ecotec or upgrading to a higher power motor.
The car has 2200 miles on it, a mix of street and track driving. After much work, it has been fully setup for the track with replaced master cylinder, softer brakes pads (the brakes simply don't get hot enough for full metallic), adjusted spring pre-loads, alignment, brake bias, etc. It now handles very predictably and tolerates being tossed around quite well - gone is the stock "shopping cart" handling experience.
I have personally maintained the car for its whole life, it has approximately 12 track days on it with an oil change (always mobil one) after each day; both coolant circuits have been drained and flushed. The rear passenger side hub (a known Atom 2 weak spot) has been upgraded to the latest TMI version along with new bearings. All of the various Brammo upgrades have been completed to bring the car up to final spec. The car includes the rear deck panel, although I do not run with it as it hampers maintenance and I favor the car's look without it.
The car is in very good condition, mechanically ideal with excellent compression and no crashes or damage; there are a few scratches in the paint on the fenders, seat (due to seatbelt running) and body - these can be easily and inexpensively repaired if the new owner so desires.
Ariel has transitioned the US Atom franchise from Brammo to TMI, who are now releasing the Atom 3. A similarly equipped Atom 3 would sell for well over $75k, in addition to the work necessary to one year waiting period and the work necessary to achieve SB100 certification (not clear this is possible with an Atom 3 - I suspect some will try in Jan, 2010).
I'm sad to sell the car, but priorities change and I simply don't have the time to drive it that I had when I first got the car. It is simply a blast to drive and surprisingly has never even caused me to be pulled over by the police.
