PRE-WAR (1901-1925)

 

When Val Page joined Ariel in 1925 he was responsible for designing the Singles and leading Ariel into its success in the 1930's.  He relocated the magneto behind the engine, driving it by chain from the camshaft.

 

 

The Selly Oak firm ran into financial trouble around 1930 and closed shop for a short period, while the founder's son, Jack Sangster, took over and restructured the company. He bought all of the tools and re-hired the best of Ariel's staff, then moved 500 yards down the road to a new factory.

 

          

 

 

The Ariel Square Four caused a huge sensation when launched at the Olympia Motorcycle Show in 1930.  The first production models in 1931 were 500cc but were increased to 600cc for 1932. The Model 4G 1000cc version came out in 1936 and the Mk I 1000cc first became available in 1949.  The final incarnation of the Square Four was the Mk II, produced from 1953 to the end of Ariel 4-stroke production in 1958.

 

The first Red Hunter appeared in 1932, coded VH32.  It featured a tuned four–overhead valve 498cc vertical cylinder VG.  The series soon included the 250cc & 350cc models.  The red tank panels on chrome gas tank with red wheel rim centers made it a sporting and beautiful sports bike. The last Red Hunter was produced in 1959, after 27 years of success.  After a reorganization & downsizing in 1932, Edward Turner launched the 346cc NH version to accompany the 500 model.  There were also competitive versions of the Red Hunter series. At the end of 1936 the company became Ariel Motors.

 

    

 

 

The Red Hunter was to Ariel what the Gold Star was to BSA, a leader in competitive races which resulted in commercial success & popularity.  Len Heath won the Scottish Six Day Trial in 1933 on an Ariel Single.  Then in 1938 Heath took second in the same event on a Red Hunter.