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Ars Technica·

🚗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.

Hand-Built Car Challenges Hypercar Dominance at Monterey — Ars Technica

Key Points

1

Monterey Car Week saw record-breaking auctions, including a Shelby Daytona Coupe at $42.9m and Ferrari's first Luce EV at $40m

2

The Gasolini AR1 weighs under 1,000 lbs (454 kg) with an engine output of 47 hp from a Honda CBR500 motorbike

3

AR1 features NACA ducts for aerodynamics and returns about 41 mpg at legal speeds

4

Ely is working on AR2, swapping the motorcycle engine for a Jaguar I-Pace electric motor with double the horsepower

5

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.

hand-built carsDIY projectsMonterey Car WeekGasolini AR1alternative supercars

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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