Description
This motorcycle is Lot 324 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 101 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
Lot 324
The Barry Winter Collection
1948 Ariel 1, 000cc Square Four Mark 4G
Registration no. KKO 979
Frame no. KP2083
Engine no. CJ709
Comprehensively restored 2008-2011
Third place in Classic Bike magazines Rebuild of the Year competition 2011
Used for overseas touring
Dry stored since 2018
Requires recommissioning
The four-cylinder motor cycle was the height of most riders' ambition in the pre-war years and many makers failed to produce a satisfactory example. Arguably, the most successful was the very prominent Ariel concern of Birmingham whose 'Square Four', named, of course from the engine design, was a genuine tour de force in the 'thirties. The original, rather fragile, ohc engine was re-designed as a 'thousand' pushrod unit for 1936 and continued in this form in the post-war austerity period when such a machine was a luxury purchase for the very fortunate few, making the fast and smooth 'Squariel' a rare machine today.
The vendor's brother bought this Square Four in the early 1960s and stripped it down. The vendor acquired it in a collection of boxes, which sat in his garage until April 2008. A full restoration was completed in May 2011 (odometer reading post-restoration: 16, 436, now 21, 326). The engine was overhauled by F J Payne Engineering, with a Morgo oil pump upgrade, the carburettor rebuilt by David Jones, and the magneto by Dave Fisher. A detailed logbook documenting the rebuild, including work and costs, is available in the extensive history file (inspection recommended).
Since completion the Ariel has undertaken numerous overseas trips, including one in August 2011 to the Loire Valley in France to attend a rally at Le Puy Nôtre Dame. The Square Four ran well with no problems. A new wide-type kickstart spring was fitted on return from the holiday and the gearbox topped up with oil/ grease mix. In 2011 the Ariel was entered into Classic Bike magazine's 'Rebuild of the Year' competition and was placed third. It was then exhibited at the MCN London Show (Excel Centre), see January 2012 edition of Classic Bike on file for the full report.
In the summer of 2013 the Square Four was used in advertising by the Indian Company 'Metro Shoes', photographs being taken at a session in a London mews. This was reported in the Ariel Club's magazine's December 2013 edition. In September 2017, 'KKO 979' was road tested by Steve Wilson for The Classic MotorCycle magazine and a full report appears in the January 2018 issue with a photograph of the bike on the front cover. In April 2018 the oil was changed, the tank cleaned and new oil filer cartridge fitted. Since then the Ariel has been garage stored, seeing little use. Little should be required by way of recommissioning before it returns to the road. Starting instructions are available. A current V5C document, an old-style continuation logbook, and a substantial quantity of supporting paperwork may be found in the aforementioned file.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
