🚗Hand-Built Car Challenges Hypercar Dominance at Monterey
A $7k car challenges million-dollar hypercars
TL;DR
At Monterey Car Week, a hand-built Gasolini AR1 challenged the dominance of seven-figure hypercars. Weighing under 1,000 lbs with just 47 hp, it offers an alternative for those looking to build their own car for less than $7k.
Monterey Car Week saw record-breaking auctions, but one hand-built car stole the show: Robert Ely's Gasolini AR1. Weighing under 1,000 lbs and powered by a motorcycle engine, it challenges million-dollar hypercars with its unique design and DIY ethos. If you're looking for an alternative to expensive supercars, this $7k build might be your ticket. The AR1 uses parts from a Honda CBR500 motorbike and features NACA ducts for aerodynamics, returning about 41 mpg at legal speeds.

Key Points
Monterey Car Week saw record-breaking auctions, including a Shelby Daytona Coupe at $42.9m and Ferrari's first Luce EV at $40m
The Gasolini AR1 weighs under 1,000 lbs (454 kg) with an engine output of 47 hp from a Honda CBR500 motorbike
AR1 features NACA ducts for aerodynamics and returns about 41 mpg at legal speeds
Ely is working on AR2, swapping the motorcycle engine for a Jaguar I-Pace electric motor with double the horsepower
Gasolini YouTube channel offers build series on AR1; plans and instructions available for less than $7k
Why It Matters
If you're looking to build your own car or are intrigued by DIY projects, Robert Ely's Gasolini AR1 is a fascinating case study. Weighing under 1,000 lbs with just 47 hp from a Honda CBR500 motorbike, it challenges the notion of what defines a supercar. The plans and instructions for building your own are available for less than $7k.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this matter?
If you're looking to build your own car or are intrigued by DIY projects, Robert Ely's Gasolini AR1 is a fascinating case study. Weighing under 1,000 lbs with just 47 hp from a Honda CBR500 motorbike, it challenges the notion of what defines a supercar. The plans and instructions for building your own are available for less than $7k.
What happened?
At Monterey Car Week, a hand-built Gasolini AR1 challenged the dominance of seven-figure hypercars. Weighing under 1,000 lbs with just 47 hp, it offers an alternative for those looking to build their own car for less than $7k.
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