Dream Car

[squarebeard]

Hello all!
Automation engineer and future Ariel Atom 4 owner from Denmark by way of USA. First post. Was planning on waiting to post until after delivery, but couldn't contain my excitement any longer.

Back in the fall of 2019 I played the BOTB weekly dream car competition and won an Atom 4. They surprised me at work!

https://youtu.be/nlXSakiLmyA

Amazing! I was nearly falling to the ground when I realized what was happening. One of the best days of my life. But unfortunately I live in one of the worst countries in the world for us car guys (m/f). Despite all the bureaucracy and the approximately 100,000 USD (yes, six figures ) registration tax on a basically un-optioned Atom 4, still I am taking the car instead of the cash equivalent. It's the chance of a lifetime to be given a hand-built British racing car. How could I say no? Even my wife told me to take the car. Maybe others among you are also disappointed about Ariel dropping their plans for ESSTA? For me it means likely never being able to drive my dream car on the street here . My spec is going to be very light, as all optional equipment is taxed at something like 180% in Denmark. No crazy reg. tax if I add options later . With only about 15 months or so from my build, I had better get started on that garage I'll be needing!

Looking forward to getting more involved in the forum and hopefully meeting some other club members at future gatherings, when those are a thing again. Also if anyone is struggling with similar challenges regarding registration I would love to hear your ideas.

Best regards from DK, a country that has zero registered Atoms yet...
-Tim

[robfitz]

Hello Tim

That sounds like the most expensive piece of good fortune imaginable, assuming you have to pick up the tax bill, let alone building a garage! Pretty cool though

Also waiting for my A4 - though in the U.K. so with none of your challenges. I am sure you will be happy whatever the spec.

Cheers
Rob

[Hedge]

Hi Tim,

Congratulations, that's an amazing thing to happen.

I guess the BOTB guys couldn't get a 4 quick enough so they sourced someone else's 2, huh?

Cheers,
Hedge

[squarebeard]

Yeah there are probably no 4s here yet. That thing was unreal on the streets around work after the prize ceremony though! My first drive in an Atom. Thanks to Nick if you're on here.

[Peter255]

I would suggest getting the LSD and baffled sump installed at build time, as they will be pricey to add later.

Enjoy your prize!

[squarebeard]

I would suggest getting the LSD and baffled sump installed at build time, as they will be pricey to add later.

Enjoy your prize!

Appreciate the advice. Will definitely do that.

[Deane]

[mention]squarebeard[/mention]
Denmark charges $100K US to register a car???? That is beyond crazy. For god sakes, move somewhere else! In the US I registered my Atom 3S for $200.

[Deane]

By the way, what is ESSTA?

[squarebeard]

European Small Series Type Approval - it means the car can be registered in any EU state. I understand it's not completely dead yet, but not the priority of the factory at the moment. They're probably struggling with covid restrictions and supply chain irks enough as it is.

Very important for mainlanders who want to register their Atom for road use.

[dooke2000]

Wow, can you not buy a small house in another Atom friendly EU country, register it there. Might be cheaper and you get a holiday home thrown in.

Best of luck to you and I hope you find it well worth the money

[K20A2]

I read a report, that people from Denmark have the car registered and located in Germany through a special company, which saves the additional tax.
However the report also states, that somebody from Denmark would not be allowed to drive a car in Denmark with external registration.(?)

Perhaps an option if it was not possible to have the Atom road legal in Denmark anyway?

[Tompy]

Lucky to live in belgium!
No problems with registration and the option for personal plate

[Charlie]

Welcome to the club I also won an Ariel Atom 4 on BOTB back in Nov 2018 I was told I was on the waiting list and it would be 2 years but with lockdown I presume that has been pushed back as I still haven’t heard about my build status anyway nice to hear someone else had the same luck as me.

[squarebeard]

I read a report, that people from Denmark have the car registered and located in Germany through a special company, which saves the additional tax.
However the report also states, that somebody from Denmark would not be allowed to drive a car in Denmark with external registration.(?)

Perhaps an option if it was not possible to have the Atom road legal in Denmark anyway?

Yes, I believe you're right about Germany. Germany is probably the best option. I'll see what I can learn about it.

[K20A2]

If this works you will have some money saved to tick all the great boxes in the spec sheet.

There were two Atom 4 technically approved with TÜV acceptance test recently which are now road legal in Germany.

Would you perhaps be allowed to at least store the Atom at your home with external registration?