Nomad Sport: More Shows

photo: rallyways.com

Joe took the Nomad to the Big SoCal Euro 2016 event down in San Diego.  This show is obviously focused on European makes, but even with Brexit, the Nomad was invited.  The Nomad is a very different car from most that were on display.  This show has a great mix but is heavily populated by the tuner crowd with lowered cars that seem to place form over function.  Wheels, body kits and power adders were on full display from VWs to Ferraris.  Southern CA continues to pave the way with new automotive trends - like them or not, there is room for us all.

  

Carlos performed an update on the Nomad after Monterey.  The clutch now requires some more effort than before.  The supercharger option delivers a heavier clutch than stock anyhow.  The release is still progressive and not an 'on or off' style of clutch, so it remains driveable on the street.

The Grand Tour has requested the Nomad and the Drakan for a video shoot on a dry lake bed.  The amount of dust and silt that gets everywhere made me politely decline bringing a Drakan.  I really don't want to clean the car afterwards!  TMI was more gracious and is sending an Atom3S for the shoot as well.    

a mattress!

I decided to head down to the Secret Car Club to show off the Nomad Sport.  When brake lights suddenly appear in front of you and the traffic quickly comes to a screeching halt, you know something is not good up ahead!  I'll never understand why it is legal to have open pick up beds hauling crap.  I have seen so many large objects like this on the freeways here and I wonder why we can't required closed beds?  Off my soapbox....



Driving any Ariel or open car remains one of life's real pleasures - at least for us car folk.  You really feel, see, hear, smell and sometimes taste more than in other cars!  Describing this properly is hard but I think owning one of these vehicles or at least driving one, should be on everyone's bucket list.

           

in good but sparse company

very clean and cool!

Nomad Sport is Here!

The Sport arrived this week.  It is the more road oriented version of the Nomad.  This has the same K24 Honda power train but has been enhanced with a supercharger.   The wheels are bigger, tires are road focused and the suspension tuned by JRi for street athleticism.  

This is the first supercharged K24 Ariel and I have to say, it is sweet.  I've always been a big fan of the supercharger whine and in this application, it is great.  The acceleration is fantastic.  Though it is slower than the Atom3S Turbo, it is still plenty fast.  It will be headed up to Monterey with the FuelRun and I think it has adequate power to keep up with the supercars that will be in the group -  assuming no top speed runs are attempted!

The Sport has the Wilwood brakes which work well.  It should be lighter than the Tactical as it has less goodies like the winch.  The Wilans 4pt belts are installed and though they are simpler than the 6pts on the Tactical, I prefer the better retention of the 6pt.  Luckily the 6pt is an option.  This one lacks the side panels which allows more air to enter and keeps you cool on hot days. The increased visibility out the back and side is also a new sensation in an Ariel.  This Nomad could use a rear view mirror, I might have to see how our microMIRROR might fit.