Discussion
yonex said:
I guess so, so many nooks for dirt but at the end of the day it's a car and will be used 
On that note, when you've got half hour to spare have a read of this...http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I saw that, heroic drive back! I wimped out and had it delivered. It's sureal having it in the garage, it's the first car that i actually stare at. The more you look the more you see, the detailing is superb. Honestly, it's just the coolest thing.
Off for some cycling for two weeks tomorrow but hopefully I'll get out in it upon my return.
Off for some cycling for two weeks tomorrow but hopefully I'll get out in it upon my return.
Tickle said:
Cool!
I drove a 300 at Elvington a year or so back... mental things. It's hard to comprehend how fast it is and even more so that it is road legal.
I bet you can't wait to get it, hope its dry when you do pick it up too.
same as me you can keep it in fifth as mountains of torquwI drove a 300 at Elvington a year or so back... mental things. It's hard to comprehend how fast it is and even more so that it is road legal.
I bet you can't wait to get it, hope its dry when you do pick it up too.
I was lucky enough to do the full-fat PalmerSport day earlier this year and the Atom was by far the most entertaining of all the drives. Sure, the single-seater and the "LMP" two seater were barmy fast with a true aero, but the Atom just felt "right" from the off. I even loved the paddle-shift box, although I could imagine it being less fun on the road.
Its on my lottery-win list....
Its on my lottery-win list....
monkeytwizzel said:
I see by your photo`s that you have been down my neck of the woods. visited Hazelbury mill for a cream tea and the Atom workshop for a new toy.
Amazing piece of design and engineering.
Done you face photo`s like Clarkson yet?
Absolutely, great place that, wonderful area. Still out in Tenerife back soon though. Amazing piece of design and engineering.
Done you face photo`s like Clarkson yet?
Lovely! As you say the build quality and attention to detail looks amazing.
How does the drive compare to a Caterham? I sold my R300 spec car earlier this year to help fund our new house, but I'm looking to get back into an R400 late next year, however...I have a nagging doubt that I need to go and drive an Atom first to compare. What are your thoughts?
How does the drive compare to a Caterham? I sold my R300 spec car earlier this year to help fund our new house, but I'm looking to get back into an R400 late next year, however...I have a nagging doubt that I need to go and drive an Atom first to compare. What are your thoughts?
Fantastic, thank you for the comprehensive answer.
I loved my Seven to bits, it was quite hard core like yours (aero'd, dry sumped, RBTBs, 6 Speeder etc) so the fact the Atom is similarly focused is great and exactly what I'm after. I don't want to turn your thread in to a Caterham vs Atom debate though, so suffice to say I will be going to have a look at the Atom when the time comes as the detailing, engineering and build quality really appeals.
I loved my Seven to bits, it was quite hard core like yours (aero'd, dry sumped, RBTBs, 6 Speeder etc) so the fact the Atom is similarly focused is great and exactly what I'm after. I don't want to turn your thread in to a Caterham vs Atom debate though, so suffice to say I will be going to have a look at the Atom when the time comes as the detailing, engineering and build quality really appeals.
grenpayne said:
Fantastic, thank you for the comprehensive answer.
I loved my Seven to bits, it was quite hard core like yours (aero'd, dry sumped, RBTBs, 6 Speeder etc) so the fact the Atom is similarly focused is great and exactly what I'm after. I don't want to turn your thread in to a Caterham vs Atom debate though, so suffice to say I will be going to have a look at the Atom when the time comes as the detailing, engineering and build quality really appeals.
Agree - what a great answer. My Seven is also extreme, though not big numbers on power, but big enough for my skills, dry sump and cage etc and it's interesting to hear the comparison, read it from the horses mouth (hoof?) so to speak.I loved my Seven to bits, it was quite hard core like yours (aero'd, dry sumped, RBTBs, 6 Speeder etc) so the fact the Atom is similarly focused is great and exactly what I'm after. I don't want to turn your thread in to a Caterham vs Atom debate though, so suffice to say I will be going to have a look at the Atom when the time comes as the detailing, engineering and build quality really appeals.
Interesting on the build quality point too - it's not like a powerful factory Caterham is cheap, but it does still use some pretty basic kit in places...
Looking forward to Atom Adventures.
Finally had an opportunity to escape the garage in the Atom. It's an awesome thing. Need some time on the dampers I think as it's harsher than standard. The 3.5 feels (in my brief experience) better than the 3, the front end seems to have more feel and overall it feels more composed. I'll never get bored of the induction noise, it's epic. As is watching the bell cranks doing their stuff and the tarmac flying past underneath you. Looking forward to some properly warm and dry weather now
An early birthday treat for myself, a sports exhaust. The standard one is far, far to restrained for the Atom. Fitting time, about 5 mins and then a brief test in the garage. Genuinely amusing noise. Next on the list is some music, specifically a pair of UE Boom 2's.
Looking forward to meeting up with the sevens at the weekend
Looking forward to meeting up with the sevens at the weekend
It's been a fun few weeks, sunshine means getting out and about!
The suspension, which I felt was always a bit off has seen big improvements. Fully adjustable dampers are great things to have, but human nature is to mess with things you don't understand. After speaking to the Intrax factory I put it all back to default. It turns out it was set with no high (bump) or low (chassis) speed compression damping yet zero rebound. It squirmed a lot and was soft, yet all over the place on bumps. The new setup is much better, all there is left to do is to back off the spring preload, I can't be bothered with right now as tbh as it's just so much better..too busy driving.
Treated myself to a new Helmet and some Bose earphones, first test tomorrow. Rear tyres are coming to the end as well, I guess another pair of 888's before a complete set of 48's
Goodwood the other weekend..
Couple of other things on the go with it but i'll leave that 'til next time.
The suspension, which I felt was always a bit off has seen big improvements. Fully adjustable dampers are great things to have, but human nature is to mess with things you don't understand. After speaking to the Intrax factory I put it all back to default. It turns out it was set with no high (bump) or low (chassis) speed compression damping yet zero rebound. It squirmed a lot and was soft, yet all over the place on bumps. The new setup is much better, all there is left to do is to back off the spring preload, I can't be bothered with right now as tbh as it's just so much better..too busy driving.
Treated myself to a new Helmet and some Bose earphones, first test tomorrow. Rear tyres are coming to the end as well, I guess another pair of 888's before a complete set of 48's
Goodwood the other weekend..
Couple of other things on the go with it but i'll leave that 'til next time.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 10th June 22:32
swerni said:
awesome car, absolutely love it !!!
Cheers matey. Early start today for a quick drive out. It's really intersting the differences between se7ens and the Atom, they deliver the exact same thing but are chalk and cheese in the way they go about it. The new lid seemed to attract more attention than ever and contained within a pair of Bose QC20 headphones, they are the absolute tits, against the driver, who is singular. A little bit of music and the nc switched on makes for a very pleasant experience actually. Today when Ash 'lose control' came on I found myself back in the 90's sat on the sofa trying to wrestle a Skyline round the Deep Forest Raceway 
I can't seem to get enough of the car at the moment and the more I drive it the more it gets under my skin. Had a few genuinely lol moments today, nothing terrible just a by product of loads of power in a light car with no safety net. The M3 is up for sale, a barge will replace it as I just cannot get excited by the uber saloon after the little Atom.
Sorely, very sorely tempted to upgrade to 3.5R spec at the end of the year as no matter much power you have, too much is never enough
Lastly, a Bentley blower was leaving a local showground and we gave each other a thumbs up, this is either deeply 'beard' or very cool. I will claim the latter
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 22 June 15:53
INWB said:
Awesome car. As someone with serious OCD issues it really appeals - the purity of the design but with incredible attention to detail.
COngrats and please keep posting.
Here you go....COngrats and please keep posting.
Can't wait to get back to the UK and drive the damn thing again!
...and a couple from a recent meet with some se7ens
I love the last one, it's so much wider than a Caterham, traffic calming is much tighter on the wheels
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