Ariel engine numbering system

[robert.clark]

Ariel engine crankcase designation numbers were updated most years of manufacture, to quote a couple VH 1955 LC, 1956 MB and so on.

During a discussion I was advised that the engine serial numbers all started at 100.

Is this a myth or reality?

[Roger Gwynn]

That is sort of right. Most years they started at 101, which is quite conventional, some early years they did start at 100 and in 1927 and 1928 they started at 1000. Many years there are a few machines listed with numbers lower than 100 or 101 that are listed as pre-production or 'Ex' (experimental) bikes.

[robert.clark]

Roger many thanks for the confirmation. My Square 4 engine is numbered PL105.

[paul.jameson]

Looking at the Despatch Book, it seems as if your bike's first appearance was at the 1953 Earls Court Show, attached to a Garrard sidecar. Subsequently returned from loan back to Ariel, it then went to another London dealer for sale.

[robert.clark]

Thanks Paul,
I can support your comments as the photo shows the sellers nameplate it was sold by Taylor Matterson 81/83 Bedford Hill, Balam SW12 London.
Distance from Earls Court to Balham is 5 miles.

[paul.jameson]

Interesting.

According to the Despatch Book, the bike went to Claude Rye who were at 895 Fulham Road, SW6 !

[robert.clark]

Agree a huge surprise. Unfortunately I have a continuation log book so can't update on that. SW6 is 5 miles away from Balham so its a least in the right area, maybe a deal was struck at the time.

[robert.clark]

Hi Paul
I took the Square Four to a motorcycle event yesterday Motorcycles at the Manor at West Ashby close to Horncastle.

In the frequent heavy rainstorms I happened to shelter under the Mortons media tent. Talking to one of their officials (editor? didnt record the name) and mentioned I had made an enquiry regarding any photos / material associated to the 12 November 1953 Earls Court Mk 2 launch for 1954. Then we got into my squares history.

I was advised to make contact and she would direct me to the appropriate person on the condition I wrote an article for Old Bike Mart. She immediately went out in the rain to take a photo. I'll start the ball rolling tomorrow while its still fresh. Even more topical as they are doing a theme on other Earls Court shows in upcoming issues.

Firstly a couple of questions.
1, Based on what we know about the bike are there any issues with me going ahead with this regarding mentioning the club / archiving / despatch material etc. Any suggestions I'm happy to follow.
2, I don't have access to any club records etc but is it possible that my bike might be (PL105) the earliest survivor of the Mk2.

Think thats it but your input is always welcome

[paul.jameson]

You can quote anything I have sent to this Forum and say words to the effect of "the AOMCC Archivist tells me that.........." Your bike might be the earliest surviving Mk II Square Fours before yours was built. You might want to make the point that it is one of the first with the SU carb and the significantly altered frame to suit.

Paul

[paul.jameson]

There is half a sentence missing from my last post, for some reason. It should read:

Your bike might be the earliest surviving 1954 Square Four but there is a whole year of 1953 Mk II Square Fours before yours was built.