This Square Four project has been part of an enthusiast small private collection of this rare and extremely collectible model. According to records supplied by the Ariel Owner's Club, it was despatched to Rowland Smith Ltd in London around February 1932, fitted with engine no. T702 and first registered on 'GW 8492'. At some stage in its life it was exported to Canada, being repatriated in 2007. With the help of Michael Worthington Williams and a 1955 tax disc the original registration number has been recovered. The innovative Ariel Square Four remains unique in the history of motorcycling, with only Suzuki many years later producing a very different two-stroke Square Four 500cc model. Promoted as 'a true gentleman's motorcycle', it is now highly prized by discerning enthusiasts, especially the early overhead cam models. Study the images carefully because what you see is what you get! There appears to be no internals within the engine, however, it is supplied with the parts shown, letters from the owner's club, correspondence concerning reclaiming the registration number, the Canadian Title and a current V5C.
Early overhead cam 600cc model
Unique 'square four' engine layout
Supplied with a dating letter and a V5C
This beautiful Square Four has been part of an enthusiast's small private collection of this rare and extremely collectable model. According to records supplied by the Ariel Owner's Club, it was dispatched to Hackford Motors in London on Tab No. 11554 fitted with engine no. T701 and first registered in early March 1932. The bike has been restored over recent years with the crank overhauled by Alpha Bearings, a new oil pump fitted together with a new pair of period correct tires. The innovative Ariel Square Four remains unique in the history of motorcycling, with only Suzuki many years later producing a very different two-stroke Square Four 500cc model. Promoted as a true 'gentleman's motorcycle, it is now highly prized by discerning enthusiasts, especially the early overhead cam models. Supplied with letters from the owner's club and a V5C, this bike would grace any collection.
Supplied with receipts, green logbook and a V5C
This authentically presented Square Four is the later Mk2 model with four separate exhaust pipes exiting from two aluminium manifolds and a rocker box combined with the inlet manifold. Part of an enthusiast's small private collection, it has been restored keeping a good degree of originality, starting and running whilst being photographed (see video). Noted for their smooth running and torquey power delivery, Square Fours still make good classic bikes for use on Vintage runs and rallies with enough power to keep up with modern day traffic. A unique chapter in British motorcycle history, it comes supplied with a few receipts, its original green logbook and a current V5C.
For anyone contemplating either OHC have a look back in this bikes for sale section of the the forum to p4. "1932 square four at Auction". Spicers still have the photos up on their website. You will recognise the parentage of some parts like the front mudguard. I think the project bike 702 has acted as donor to 701 and as a result now has the discard bits from 701. I'll put money on it that bright green tank is the one from the Spicer auction. Still could be resurrected, just, but least it's a matching twin down tube frame and upper crankcase with a V5.
As a project it doesn't look appealing. 1000 Lib is a very low amount for this motorcycle. I have a strong urge to buy it even though the last such project took away all my savings. Finishing a 4F6/1932 so that everything is OK is very expensive.