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Old Ariel photos
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 4:33 pm
by paul.jameson
I have been sent the following 3 photos. Would the Black Ariel experts care to identify the Ariel please?
There is also a photo of an inferior make - probably AJS - which I have no chance of identifying.
Re: Old Ariel photos
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 6:25 pm
by rein.heerkens
The first two are from the same Ariel, a 1927 model E. The third photo is not an Ariel.
Re: Old Ariel photos
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 11:04 pm
by Vincent.vanGinneke
AJS looks like a 1930 R8 498cc model.
same guy, and I think he likes to give his mounts a 'sporting' touch by tilting the fishtail

Re: Old Ariel photos
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2024 2:16 am
by MGriffin
rein.heerkens wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 6:25 pm
The first two are from the same Ariel, a 1927 model E. The third photo is not an Ariel.
but with a 28 Dripper by the look.
Re: Old Ariel photos
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2024 7:03 am
by Karol Burger
The E model looks very good, Thanks for the wonderful photos.
Re: Old Ariel photos
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2024 3:20 pm
by Vincent.vanGinneke
a few more period pictures liberated from Ebay

- Len Heath Ariel scrambler.jpg (81.9 KiB) Viewed 20359 times
Re: Old Ariel photos
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2024 10:05 pm
by Roger Gwynn
The Len Heath machine is pretty certainly one that is listed in the despatch book as having a 350 petrol tank, Detachable rear wheel, specially lightened, Special 4 speed Box, Special frame. Reg AOM was issued in January 1935 in Birmingham, engine KA 1166, frame EX 103. Frame EX 98 has been crossed out as has the original despatch date of 31st Jan 1935 to be replaced with 13 April 1935, which no doubt explains the registration date and the mention of it being taxed for a quarter (of a year) also crossed through. Len heath lived in Surrey.
The next bike, KA 1167 has frame EX 99 and customer as R Cotterell of Harbourne, specification as Len's machine.
Jack White of Eastleigh had a third machine with the same spec KA 1405 frame EX 95.
The latter 2 machines were dispatched in February, 2 months before Len had his.
Re: Old Ariel photos
Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2024 2:15 pm
by Vincent.vanGinneke
Thanks for all that info!
here a pic showing Mr. Cotterel on another Ariel (?) with a few of his trophys
(on the rear) R. Cotterel, Cramore(?) Trophy , 2-3-1935
Re: Old Ariel photos
Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2024 6:06 pm
by Roger Gwynn
All part of the service!
That will be one of the other competition bikes, sister to Len Heath's. This bike was supplied 1st of Feb 1935 , so only a month old when photographed here.