Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 13:00
1962 Ariel Arrow/ Leader
No reserve
Registration No: XSK 738
Frame No: T286271
MOT: Exempt
Like many other British motorcycle companies, Ariel began producing bicycles in the late 1800s eventually progressing onto motorcycles in 1902. After a typically rocky few years for manufacturers in the early part of the century, in 1932 Jack Sangster bought Ariel from the receivers at a bargain price. The company was renamed Ariel Motors (J. S.) Ltd, and promptly resumed production in a new factory in Selly Oak Birmingham and one of their first bikes produced was the Ariel Square Four designed by Edward Turner followed by the Ariel Red Hunter. The Red Hunter was such a success it enabled Ariel to purchase Triumph motorcycles, eventually becoming part of the BSA group in 1951. Designed by Val Page and Bernard Knight, the Ariel Leader featured a 250cc two-stroke engine suspended from a monocoque frame fabricated from pressed steel panels. The fuel tank was hidden inside this structure and accessed by lifting the hinged dual seat and a dummy petrol tank was used for storage, large enough to fit a spare crash helmet. The fully enclosed bodywork, first developed by Phil Vincent for the innovative Vincent Black Prince, was the most prominent feature with none of the working parts of the motorcycle in view.
This bike is being offered at no reserve from a deceased estate. An unfinished project, it started life as standard Arrow but the late vendor, a retired Mechanical and Electrical engineer who had raced Yamahas in the Manx Grand Prix in the early 1970s, was rebuilding it to Leader specification. It is supplied with many spare parts to finish off the conversion/ restoration and will make a fascinating winter project to complete and comes supplied with a current V5C.
