Help Identifying possibly a Pre-WW2 Ariel Motorcycle

[markvw]

Hello Ariel enthusiasts,

I’m seeking your help to identify a motorcycle I believe is an Ariel, built before World War II. My suspicion comes from historical family photos showing the bike in use shortly after the war, around 1946 and 1954. I’ve been told it was hidden in the Netherlands during WW2 to avoid confiscation, which might help narrow down its origins.

I’m hoping the Ariel community can confirm if this is an Ariel and possibly identify the model and year.
• Photo 1 (taken around 1946): Shows the motorcycle in the north of Holland.
• Photo 2 (taken around 1954):
• Photo 3 (taken around 1954):

Thank you in advance for your help! Uncovering this piece of family history means a lot to me, and I’m grateful for the support and expertise of this community.

I truly appreciate any advice you can share!
Regards
Mark

[adrie.degraaff]

They are differend motorcycles, the plate number is the same becouse it's a (provincial) number on person this ended in 1950.
The top photo could be a Sparta, Simpex or Eysink 98cc, the second is an Ariel with a midstand but the frontforks are vage , the lowest photo is the oldest prewar motorcycle Simplex 98cc Sachs.
Photo 1 and 3 can be the same motorcycle.
Somehow there is the feeling that there are a father (Simplex) and son (Ariel).

The provincial archive is open to the VMC so you can ask them wich makes where on that number.

[markvw]

Thank you for your detailed and insightful response! I really appreciate you taking the time to clarify that the provincial registration number was tied to a person rather than a specific motorcycle until 1950, which explains the multiple bikes.

Your suggestions about the makes—Sparta, Simplex, or Eysink for the first photo, the Ariel with the midstand for the second, and the prewar Simplex 98cc Sachs for the third—are incredibly helpful. It is a high probability that the first and third photos might be the same bike, photo 3 may be earlier than 1954.

I’ll follow your advice and reach out to the Noord-Hollands Archief to see if they can confirm the makes associated with this registration number.
Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction—your expertise is much appreciated!

Best regards,
Mark

[nevhunter]

Some people like to keep a certain numberplate. There's some kind of Box? attached to the front fork of the Ariel. 1939 0r 1947 model? Centrestand is some thing extra? Nev

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Hello Mark,

I like digging!
GZ is a 'County number' like Adrie writes, GZ comes from North-Holland.
North Holland is the coast county where for instance Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Haarlem are.

The number 29471 was indeed a personal number, here is what I found :
(you dont need to be a member of the VMC)

Against this number it has the name : van Iersel and Ludovic-Antoon and (I think it belongs in that line) Hubert
address : Floralaan 2 in Bussum.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Flora ... FQAw%3D%3D

Nice house !

Bussum lies indeed in North Holland but to the south-East above Utrecht.

Now on to the picture that show a light two stroke (?).
Taken obviously in front of a Cafe/Restaurant. Veldman ?
10Km(?) from Enschede, 8.1Km. from Oldenzaal - Almelo I cant read.
So if I have some more time I'll have a look on the map to find this place.

regards, Vincent

[adrie.degraaff]

The city is "Losser" eetcafé 't Raedthuys?