Nomad order - current owner advice
Discussion
Re-post from AtomClub
For those who are interested, hood fitted, and it's a mixed bag.
Bad news first, although it was only ever meant as a sun visor for those in sunny USA, it looks pretty poor from most angles. It is also made from seemingly cheap material, that's the bad news.
The good news is that in principle, having a cover on the Nomad does change the experience quite markedly and really differentiates it from 'an Atom with long suspension travel'. The edge of the roof frame is wide enough to be used in inclement weather to keep your noggin dry and most of your upper body. The darkened, more enclosed cabin makes you focus on the road ahead a lot more as any peripheral distractions are no longer present. It just feels a more serious piece of kit when enclosed, it could of course be that I'm so easily distracted I need the roof to focus.
Fortunately I only ever bought this as a template from which I'm going to pass to those more skilled than me to make suitable alterations. The hood needs to be clearly wider and fastened to the roof frame edge in some neat way, from inside I'd like to add a canvas wrap to at least the centre roof piece and front roof bars to make it look more integrated.
I can't recommend the hood as it is, also the factory are at least going to produce a few copies (potentially with alterations of their own) and maybe with better materials, it'll be interesting to see what they come up with. With factory speed as it is, I'm pressing ahead and hope to have something fully fitted before easter.
For those who are interested, hood fitted, and it's a mixed bag.
Bad news first, although it was only ever meant as a sun visor for those in sunny USA, it looks pretty poor from most angles. It is also made from seemingly cheap material, that's the bad news.
The good news is that in principle, having a cover on the Nomad does change the experience quite markedly and really differentiates it from 'an Atom with long suspension travel'. The edge of the roof frame is wide enough to be used in inclement weather to keep your noggin dry and most of your upper body. The darkened, more enclosed cabin makes you focus on the road ahead a lot more as any peripheral distractions are no longer present. It just feels a more serious piece of kit when enclosed, it could of course be that I'm so easily distracted I need the roof to focus.
Fortunately I only ever bought this as a template from which I'm going to pass to those more skilled than me to make suitable alterations. The hood needs to be clearly wider and fastened to the roof frame edge in some neat way, from inside I'd like to add a canvas wrap to at least the centre roof piece and front roof bars to make it look more integrated.
I can't recommend the hood as it is, also the factory are at least going to produce a few copies (potentially with alterations of their own) and maybe with better materials, it'll be interesting to see what they come up with. With factory speed as it is, I'm pressing ahead and hope to have something fully fitted before easter.
Yes, I'm working on it. Hoping to hear back tomorrow from a few people in the alteration business. Will drive the car to one of them on Tuesday so they can have a physical look at the car and hood.
Took the hood off yesterday, and now it doesn't look finished, there is no going back for me.
Took the hood off yesterday, and now it doesn't look finished, there is no going back for me.
I've just put a deposit on a Nomad. 14 months lead time I'm told. Tom tells me that they are talking to the MSA about running the cars in the BCCC (British Cross Country Championship). That would be perfect, being able to use the car off road in anger a few weekends a year would be a real blast. Just waiting on MSA required specs to be finalised so I can have the car built as eligible from the off.
Any advice as to build must haves? The uprated clutch and oil cooler are a given, as is a screen and baffled sump. Anything else?
Has anyone incorporated any extra chassis protection as part of the build, added clear wrap round the exposed parts of the chassis to try to prevent stone chips or similar?
Is there a dedicated Nomad forum out there?
I can't see a hard top skin being difficult to manufacture. Either from fibreglass, carbon or plastic.
Any advice as to build must haves? The uprated clutch and oil cooler are a given, as is a screen and baffled sump. Anything else?
Has anyone incorporated any extra chassis protection as part of the build, added clear wrap round the exposed parts of the chassis to try to prevent stone chips or similar?
Is there a dedicated Nomad forum out there?
I can't see a hard top skin being difficult to manufacture. Either from fibreglass, carbon or plastic.
foxsasha said:
Any advice as to build must haves? The uprated clutch and oil cooler are a given, as is a screen and baffled sump. Anything else?
Well done, I bet you can't wait?Must have options,
- Alcon brakes (The Nomad is heavier than the Atom so made sense!)
- Hydraulic handbrake, why have a crazy car without a crazy option? Its proved useful for holding the car stationary in traffic and hill starts.
- Supercharger
- Ohlins?!?
I'm hoping to get some parts of my chassis clear wrapped in the New Year, I can see it getting scratched where passengers get in and out!
Edited by russty_james on Monday 12th December 13:49
foxsasha said:
I've just put a deposit on a Nomad. 14 months lead time I'm told. Tom tells me that they are talking to the MSA about running the cars in the BCCC (British Cross Country Championship). That would be perfect, being able to use the car off road in anger a few weekends a year would be a real blast. Just waiting on MSA required specs to be finalised so I can have the car built as eligible from the off.
Any advice as to build must haves? The uprated clutch and oil cooler are a given, as is a screen and baffled sump. Anything else?
Has anyone incorporated any extra chassis protection as part of the build, added clear wrap round the exposed parts of the chassis to try to prevent stone chips or similar?
Is there a dedicated Nomad forum out there?
I can't see a hard top skin being difficult to manufacture. Either from fibreglass, carbon or plastic.
Heated screen.Any advice as to build must haves? The uprated clutch and oil cooler are a given, as is a screen and baffled sump. Anything else?
Has anyone incorporated any extra chassis protection as part of the build, added clear wrap round the exposed parts of the chassis to try to prevent stone chips or similar?
Is there a dedicated Nomad forum out there?
I can't see a hard top skin being difficult to manufacture. Either from fibreglass, carbon or plastic.
Frame protection will be pointless if considering BCCC, the car will get blasted.
Atomclub are rebranding next year to incorporate Nomad and Ace, already happened in drivetribe and on FB pages.
Roof update!!
Now have a custom roof made and fitted, this is a prototype but already it's pretty much there. I need to take it back in a few months as i'd like the inside t-bar and front bar also mohaired from the roof to make it more integrated, also the back to be tensed up to pull the roof firmly across all points. it'll stay as compact as it is now. I'm liking it, a lot. Happy chappy.
Now have a custom roof made and fitted, this is a prototype but already it's pretty much there. I need to take it back in a few months as i'd like the inside t-bar and front bar also mohaired from the roof to make it more integrated, also the back to be tensed up to pull the roof firmly across all points. it'll stay as compact as it is now. I'm liking it, a lot. Happy chappy.
stormcloud123 said:
That was the car on ebay with all the trimmings!
Does it have the up-rated clutch and oil cooler? If so you only have to plug in the supercharger.
Yeah, it's got pretty much every possible option apart from the clutch and the SC. Which is a shame but it's more than fast enough for me now.Does it have the up-rated clutch and oil cooler? If so you only have to plug in the supercharger.
I like the roof! I saw it on FB already. I'm going big time touring in mine so will be fitting a roof of some sort, roof box and side panels. We can brainstorm
Very good idea on the interior plexi.
I bought plexi sides for my Atom and as soon as they got dirty it made the car look horrible in my eyes. Sold them a week later.
But this was on the Atom, maybe a more rough and tumble Nomad will not matter as much, inside the frame is a good middle ground if you want the benefits and if it's do-able.
I like the skeletal base look (bought the frame with mount brackets just in case I changed my mind), the only thing I will look to seriously investigate is the small triangular frame piece that the wing mirrors go through, block the wind chill through that and it should keep the outside hand a lot warmer. Could wear warmer thicker gloves, but you'd lose the feel IMO.
Still, good times!
I bought plexi sides for my Atom and as soon as they got dirty it made the car look horrible in my eyes. Sold them a week later.
But this was on the Atom, maybe a more rough and tumble Nomad will not matter as much, inside the frame is a good middle ground if you want the benefits and if it's do-able.
I like the skeletal base look (bought the frame with mount brackets just in case I changed my mind), the only thing I will look to seriously investigate is the small triangular frame piece that the wing mirrors go through, block the wind chill through that and it should keep the outside hand a lot warmer. Could wear warmer thicker gloves, but you'd lose the feel IMO.
Still, good times!
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