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2012 Shannons Melbourne Winter Classic Auction
Lot
2

c1957 Ariel Square Four 4G MkII 1000cc Motorcycle

$13,500

Sold

Specifications

Engine 1000cc 4cyl
Gearbox 4-Speed Manual
Colour Maroon

Description

This lot is no longer available

During its 68 years of production beginning in 1902, Ariel was one of the leading innovators in British motorcycling. One of their milestone bikes was the Ariel Square Four, designed in 1928 by Edward Turner. Turner at this time was looking for work and showed drawings of his engine design to various motorcycle manufacturers. The engine was essentially a pair of 'across frame' OHC parallel twins joined by their geared central flywheels with one four cylinder Monobloc and one cylinder head. The idea was rejected by BSA, who later purchased Ariel in 1944, but was adopted by Ariel and the model became the Ariel Square Four. Turner's innovative four-cylinder engine continued in various updated versions until 1959 (the last versions with the definitive 1000cc capacity), when the production of all Ariel four-stroke models ceased.