Disappointed by what was available in Britain's market, Robert Ely decided that if carmakers couldn’t build affordable, fun cars, he would have to build one himself. The result is a single-seater, ultralight, street-legal sports car built entirely in his shed for about $7,000. His DIY creation, the Gasolini AR1, looks like something out of Blade Runner, and combines a retro-futuristic aesthetic with the compact, single-seat cockpit design made popular by early European racers. The sleek, 6-speed gearbox roadster is powered by a 2017 2-cylinder Honda motorbike engine and it comes with excellent fuel economy. With a top speed under 80 mph, it’s not exactly a rocket, but top-end speed wasn't the objective. Ely was after something fun to drive, and its low-profile, lightweight design delivers instant acceleration, offering the agile feel of a go-kart paired with the visceral intensity of a vintage sports car.
