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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ New R&T

Posted by: Howard Jan 9 2006, 09:45 PM

I assume everyone here has a subscription, but if not, grab the February issue. In addition to road test of the Exige and the 10cyl 'M' cars, there's a great section on lightweights. Street legal (?).

Rocket: 815lbs 143hp
Atom: 1200lbs 210hp
Radical: 1100lbs 275hp

Understandably, all will embarass any 'super car'. What a hoot. For a weekend driver I would rather have the Radical than any of those 3500lb plus exotics.
Or maybe a really hot 914

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Posted by: Rand Jan 9 2006, 09:48 PM

Sweet!!!

http://www.arielatom.com

http://www.radicalsportscars.com/

Posted by: airsix Jan 9 2006, 10:22 PM

Haven't subscribed for a few years and it's to late to go to the store. What can you tell us about the "Rocket" (the others I am familiar with and pine for)?
-Ben M.

ps - please include pictures to drool on.

Posted by: Howard Jan 9 2006, 10:28 PM

QUOTE (airsix @ Jan 9 2006, 08:22 PM)
Haven't subscribed for a few years and it's to late to go to the store. What can you tell us about the "Rocket" (the others I am familiar with and pine for)?
-Ben M.

ps - please include pictures to drool on.

This wesite is absolute crack for a gearhead. Make sure to go to the home page, but here is the http://www.weismann.net/rocket.html

Posted by: dekman Jan 9 2006, 10:40 PM

I was at Big Willow a couple of months ago and there was a guy there with a radical getting lessons. Very cool car but limited usage. I believe he paided 60,000 for it. I'd go for a highly modified 914-6GT.....

Posted by: Howard Jan 9 2006, 10:58 PM

You did!

But the same idea. Less is more. I've seen that smile on your face when you blow away the high priced over weight competition.

Posted by: grantsfo Jan 9 2006, 11:34 PM

I like the tube frame rear engined VTEC powered Mini from Z mini.

Posted by: trekkor Jan 9 2006, 11:56 PM

I missed the chance to ride in a Radical at Laguna in Nov.

They do 1:25-1:35's there.

I was all set to go the next day , but the waivers they bring for riders to sign went back the day before.

Noooooooo!

KT

Posted by: rhodyguy Jan 10 2006, 10:08 AM

what the hell is gates going to do with 2 more of them? maybe renting PRI for the day and having fun with warren buffet and the rest of the rich guys contract bridge club . on that note, i wonder what bill ever did with his 959?

k

Posted by: anthony Jan 10 2006, 10:47 AM

They just aired a Fifth Gear episode on speedtv about the Radical and the spec Radical racing series. It looked awesome. If I only had the cash...

In the US:

http://www.radicalsouth.com/

Posted by: airsix Jan 10 2006, 11:08 AM

QUOTE (Howard @ Jan 9 2006, 08:28 PM)
This wesite is absolute crack for a gearhead. Make sure to go to the home page, but here is the http://www.weismann.net/rocket.html

Thanks!!!

-Ben M.

Posted by: fiid Jan 10 2006, 12:42 PM

I know the Radical and the Atom are street legal in the UK. Dammed DOT!

These should come under the Right to bear arms. .

Posted by: lapuwali Jan 10 2006, 01:07 PM

The really cool thing about the Rocket was it was designed by Gordon Murray, former F1 designer for Brabham during their most radical years (the fan car, the variable ride height car, the super-low car), and McLaren, and who designed the McLaren F1 road car. Previously, you needed to be a super-talented F1 driver or have incredibly deep pockets to drive one of Murray's creations.

Posted by: lapuwali Jan 10 2006, 01:10 PM

QUOTE (fiid @ Jan 10 2006, 10:42 AM)
I know the Radical and the Atom are street legal in the UK. Dammed DOT!

These should come under the Right to bear arms. .

I've heard Ariel is gearing up to build a US Atom in Oregon, so there WILL be a US-legal Atom soon.

I'd still prefer the Rocket. Sub-900lb weight beats even the Lotus Seven, and is lighter even than an F1 car (1210lbs minimum).

Posted by: fiid Jan 10 2006, 01:23 PM

QUOTE (lapuwali @ Jan 10 2006, 11:10 AM)

QUOTE (fiid @ Jan 10 2006, 10:42 AM)
I know the Radical and the Atom are street legal in the UK. Dammed DOT!

These should come under the Right to bear arms. .

I've heard Ariel is gearing up to build a US Atom in Oregon, so there WILL be a US-legal Atom soon.

I'd still prefer the Rocket. Sub-900lb weight beats even the Lotus Seven, and is lighter even than an F1 car (1210lbs minimum).

Do you know if they are aiming to make it street legal? I had wondered if it was to be a track-only beast.

Hmmm............

Posted by: grantsfo Jan 10 2006, 01:31 PM

QUOTE (fiid @ Jan 10 2006, 10:42 AM)
I know the Radical and the Atom are street legal in the UK. Dammed DOT!

These should come under the Right to bear arms. .

I believe the Radical is street legal in some states as its sold as a kit car.

Posted by: airsix Jan 10 2006, 02:28 PM

QUOTE (grantsfo @ Jan 10 2006, 11:31 AM)
I believe the Radical is street legal in some states as its sold as a kit car.

I dream of a street licenced Radical but didn't think it was possible. Even as a kit car it would have to pass an inspection and would fail on several issues - headlight height for one, and another is bodywork lower than bottom of wheels. I'd sure love to have one of the new v8 Radicals. I'd drive it everywhere. I'm serious. If anyone says it's impractical I say it would be "a lazy man's motorcycle".

I know the price of a Radical and Atom. Anyone know how much $ for a Rocket?

-Ben M.

Posted by: brer Jan 10 2006, 03:08 PM

I raced the rocket prototype about 5 years ago.
sweet ride. I've got pics somewhere, i'll try and post later.

Posted by: brer Jan 10 2006, 03:09 PM

not real racing

Posted by: vortrex Jan 10 2006, 05:15 PM

QUOTE (fiid @ Jan 10 2006, 11:23 AM)
Do you know if they are aiming to make it street legal? I had wondered if it was to be a track-only beast.

Hmmm............

check out this thread, there is some info on the atom being street legal. looks to be a state by state approval basis and a couple people on elisetalk have ordered theirs already.

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16745&highlight=atom

Posted by: lapuwali Jan 14 2006, 01:13 AM

http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2006/0111/local/stories/01local.htm

This is a story from a newspaper local to the US Ariel plant in OR. They ARE aiming to make them street legal, by using already approved GM Ecotec engines in various forms. 245hp...The company also has other toys in the pipeline.

Posted by: brer Jan 14 2006, 02:04 AM

not a great shot,
see if i can find another.

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Posted by: brer Jan 14 2006, 02:06 AM

the other creation.
one of my favorite pics.

notice the similar design elements!

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