Ariel suppliers and dealers 1914

[andrewh]

I’ve turned my mind to doing some research once more on the history of my 1914 Ariel V twin. It was registered in Cardiff but sadly the records don’t tell me who the original owner was. I was wondering whether there are any lists from that period of who the dealers were supplying our machines in the UK. Amazingly there were two dealers in Cardiff back then and one of them is still in business owned by the same family having been being established in 1897. What I don’t know is whether they supplied Ariel’s or not. Anyway, if anybody’s got a list of dealers for back then I’d be very grateful.

[tony.barnett]

Often you'll see dealer adverts in The Book of The Ariel, but I don't think they go back as far as 1914. Definitely to 1928 though.

[Roger Gwynn]

Strangely I have just been looking at that list and I think there are rather too many dealers mentioned to all be Ariel dealers, especially when compared to the list in the 1929 Ariel parts book, which considering how well Ariel were doint ought to be a longer list than in 1928. I think the list in Haycraft is a complete list of all m/c shops and the list at the beginning headed Spare Parts Stockists are the Ariel dealers.

[nadab_sardar]

Worth a try with the family firm in Cardiff before anything else. A business that's been going since 1897 and is still run by the same family may well have old ledgers, adverts or even photos from the period, and they'd probably enjoy being asked. Even if they didn't sell Ariels, they might know which of the other Cardiff dealers did.

Local sources could also help. Cardiff trade directories and the local papers from 1913 to 1914 often carried dealer adverts with the makes listed, and the Glamorgan Archives or Cardiff library local studies section may have them. If your machine came with any original paperwork, a dealer's transfer or tax disc holder is sometimes the only clue.

[andrewh]

Thank you yes I have sent them an email but not heard anything back as all yet. I will also look at the local trade directories that’s another good idea. It’s quite amazing that a local company selling motorcycles are still in business well over 100 years.