Ariel Atom Owner Registry

[Steve]

Since I couldn't find an Ariel Atom Owner Registry anywhere, I've decided to start one myself. I'm now maintaining an Ariel Atom Owner Registry on a publicly viewable Google Spreadsheet here:

http://arielatomchat.com/registry/

You'll find separate tabs on the bottom of the document for different versions of the Atom (UK, US, 1, 2, 3, SRA, etc.).

As of right now, it's a short list... just my Atom 2 is on there. But I hope that will change quickly with your help.

To add your Atom (or any Atom for which you have information) to the registry, you can:

• Post the info in this thread
• Send me the info via PM
• Email me at "steve" at the domain name of Ariel Atom Chat.

Please be sure to include the original full VIN of your car, if it had one.

I've purposely made it so that nothing too personal is included there, but if you'd like to keep your ownership info private for some reason, please at least PM your serial number along with any info you are willing to share publicly. Of course, I'll respect all requests for privacy.

So please help build (and maintain!) the Ariel Atom Owner Registry! Thanks!

[beckertb]

Hi Steve. Here is my info:

Ben Beckert
beckertb
AA2 VIN 000020
Beaumont, TX
beckertb's Garage :: 2006 Ariel Atom 2

[Norm]

Norm Larson
000023
Brammo Eco 2
Seattle, WA
Norm's Garage :: 2006 Ariel Atom 2
Harrop, Meth, Six speed Quaife, Spec 2+, 8lb flywheel

[Steve]

Added! Keep 'em coming!

[AtomJohnny]

Steve,

Is RAM280 a full serial number?

I'm sure the UK built cars start AA... and end with the RAM number.
Usually 15 characters in total.

Do you think we need columns for cc or litre and HP?

[Terry Kennedy]

Is RAM280 a full serial number?

I'm sure the UK built cars start AA... and end with the RAM number.
Usually 15 characters in total.

The Brammo cars initially used a block of VINs provided by Ariel UK. All but one of the RAMxxx cars were AA05H2022DNRAMxxx, except for RAM326 which used an AA06... VIN.

The US DOT has a hissy fit when anybody builds cars in the US and uses a VIN prefix that indicates the car was from another country. Probably the biggest case of this was BMW, who produced cars with WB... VINs in their Spartanburg, SC factory. They had to get a new prefix (4U) for that factory. They tried to argue that since their Spartanburg factory was a free trade zone, they could use WB. That argument didn't work.

When Brammo was told the same thing, they switched to a WMI that was allocated for them, A2RT. The middle of the VIN varies all over the place, and reflects the options on the initial order. If you changed the order (for example, to "300" HP) after the frame was welded and stamped, you still got a VIN that showed the original order options.

Brammo tagged frames and parts with things like "Kennedy / RAM285" or "Woolery / 002" (the latter being an A2RT... VIN). The phrase "RAM car" was used at Brammo to indicate the early cars, as shorthand for "built with different parts (often scavenged) than later cars". For example, my driveshafts are modified Cobalt ones, not ones from Driveshaft Shop.

Do you think we need columns for cc or litre and HP?

There are a huge number of options. I'm not sure which pieces are worth tracking. Probably engine type/HP and maybe major options like seating type (one-piece normal / one-piece "wide load" / Recaro / Sparco). Maybe brakes as well. But that's all up to Steve.

[AtomJohnny]

The Brammo cars initially used a block of VINs provided by Ariel UK. All but one of the RAMxxx cars were AA05H2022DNRAMxxx, except for RAM326 which used an AA06... VIN.

The US DOT has a hissy fit when anybody builds cars in the US and uses a VIN prefix that indicates the car was from another country. Probably the biggest case of this was BMW, who produced cars with WB... VINs in their Spartanburg, SC factory. They had to get a new prefix (4U) for that factory. They tried to argue that since their Spartanburg factory was a free trade zone, they could use WB. That argument didn't work.

When Brammo was told the same thing, they switched to a WMI that was allocated for them, A2RT. The middle of the VIN varies all over the place, and reflects the options on the initial order. If you changed the order (for example, to "300" HP) after the frame was welded and stamped, you still got a VIN that showed the original order options.

Brammo tagged frames and parts with things like "Kennedy / RAM285" or "Woolery / 002" (the latter being an A2RT... VIN). The phrase "RAM car" was used at Brammo to indicate the early cars, as shorthand for "built with different parts (often scavenged) than later cars". For example, my driveshafts are modified Cobalt ones, not ones from Driveshaft Shop.

Terry,
Just what you've mentioned would be enough to convince me that owners should submit full, not partial, serial numbers. It shows a lot of character/history of the cars origin.
Mine for example is AAAZR18YWRAM013.

There are a huge number of options. I'm not sure which pieces are worth tracking. Probably engine type/HP and maybe major options like seating type (one-piece normal / one-piece "wide load" / Recaro / Sparco). Maybe brakes as well. But that's all up to Steve.

I don't know if we need loads of detail as there are so many variations of the car. However capacity and HP IMO are worth noting. Over time they will show historic trends and any major engine change. Already we have 1.8L, 2.0L, 2.2L, 2.4L and what ever the V8 is (3.0L I think).

[Steve]

I don't think we should track anything in the registry that can be easily changed. For example, my car started out as a 230HP model, but according to the original owner, Brammo changed it to a 245 in 2007 while it was being repaired at the factory after an off-track incident. So tracking the HP or the cc may be confusing, since it can be changed easily (at least compared to other cars).

I do like the suggestion of FULL VIN numbers. There's nothing personally identifiable there anyway. I think I'll make that change in the registry now. Can anyone who's already in there, please post (or PM me) your full VINs?

Thanks!

[Steve]

Within 12 hours of sending out an email to AAChat members asking for their help building the registry, we have MAJOR progress. Thanks to those who are helping fill in the blanks!

http://arielatomchat.com/registry/

[tjkrueger]

mfg'd 2009
Chassis # AA30104
Engine K20A-5824525

I purchased it used from TMI on 4/4/12
Now located in the Motor City (Detroit, MI)

Tom