Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 13:00
1951 Ariel Square Four (SQ4)
Long term ownership
Estimate
£4, 000 - £5, 000
Registration No: JJW 787
Frame No: BC1363
MOT: Exempt
Offered from a deceased estate
Restored by the late owner
Collection of photographs as a shed find
A V5c present
As Ariel Motors (J. S.) Ltd, one of their first bikes produced was the Ariel Square Four designed by Edward Turner, who at the time was looking for work and showing drawings of his engine designs to various motorcycle manufacturers. In the days of predominately single-cylinder engines a square four layout was very advanced and the bike stayed in production until the late 1950s. The engine with two transverse crankshafts was essentially a pair of across-frame OHC parallel twins joined by their geared central flywheels, with a four-cylinder block and single head. The idea for the engine was rejected by BSA but adopted by Ariel, becoming their prestige model for the next 20 years.
This 1951 Ariel Square Four was purchased by the late vendor almost 20 years ago as a shed find and was in very original condition. The Ariel had been laid up since 1976 until he purchased it. He then set about doing a full restoration on the machine with a complete engine overhaul at the same time. The Ariel has been finished to a good standard and now has stood for a few years. Some recommissioning would be required before placing it back on the road. The Ariel comes complete with a V5c, old pictures as a shed find plus parts books from Dragonfly motorcycles.
