Launched in 1999 with first deliveries in 2000, the Atom quickly became the star of the developing trackday scene and captured the motoring world’s imagination. Road legal and with an 1800cc K Series Rover engine in 120bhp, 160bhp, and 190bhp outputs, the car was the original ‘NO DOORS NO SCREEN NO ROOF’ and demonstrated that lightweight gave giant-slaying capability, no matter what the opposition.
The introduction of Honda power with the 220bhp Civic K20A Type R engine, to replace the Rover engine, gave rise to the Atom 2 in 2003. Ariel continued to develop the car both on road and on track, with the supercharger option arriving in 2005. At this point, the Atom would start ticking off the records, consistently winning 0-60mph and 0-100-0mph challenges against all comers.
The new K20Z4 Type R engine prompted the move to the Atom 3 with a completely revised chassis and other changes from the Atom 2, and following further evolution and refinements and following the development of the V8, the Atom 3.5 was launched in 2012. Called the 3.5 because there wasn’t a significant change to the powertrain, but refinements to suspension, steering, engine management, bodywork, and control interfaces, a sequential Sadev gearbox, supercharged power increased to 310bhp, and modifications to suspension resulted in the 350-367bhp Atom 3.5R in 2013, multiple winner of performance car awards and road tests.
Chassis 337105 is to this day one of the most unique Atoms ever made. Not to be mistaken with the Atom Cup cars, this particular example was built specifically as an endurance racing car by the factory for the 2015 season. The car was built as a 3.5R, but with a Cup chassis and as such, Ariel states themselves it was so bespoke it fell into its own category. One of the highest factory specification cars ever built by Ariel, 337105 cost its first owner nearly £120,000 plus a £10,000 spares package.
Chassis 337105 was raced by Holden Autosport in 2015, achieving four class wins from four races, with 2nd and 3rd overall placings in the British Dunlop Endurance Championship. The car was retired after the purchase of a Renault RS-01, but remained with preparers Neil Garner Motorsport, who further developed the car before it was purchased by its current owner.
The impressive specification is as follows:
Also included with the vehicle is a comprehensive spares package comprising three sets of spare wheels, various wishbones, mudguards, uprights, rod ends, radiator, front wings, bodywork and more.