The Ariel Square Four
(Just sold for $15,500)

Ariel Square Four

 
This is my friend Danny Davidson sitting on his 1950 Ariel Square Four. Photo taken about 1953.     When everyone else in Charleston was riding primarily Harleys, (and of course BSA and Triumph ... they were big in the US after WW2), Danny was riding an Ariel Square Four.  An unusual British motorcycle, the four cylinder engine actually had twin crankshafts geared together.  It was a 1000cc, when a large Brit bike was a 650cc, or perhaps the occasional Royal Enfield 750cc. The Ariel was considered one of the hottest motorcycles of it's day.  Unlike the Harleys and Indians, this was a lightweight bike with a lot of power.  To see one in Charleston back then was very rare. Photo taken at 1229 Woodland Drive, West Side.

Ariel Square Four

This is Danny's group of riders.  He's sitting on the Ariel in this photo.  Most of these guys preferred to ride the lighter, faster bikes of the day.  This photo taken on Bigley Ave on the West Side.  Below is the exact same location today..
Ariel






SO WHERE DID THE SQUARE FOUR GO?

Ariel Square Four


The bike was later sold to Hugh Jones,  llifetime resident of Kanawha City.  Hugh kept the bike in his garage for over 60 years.  You may have noticed that the front end is different than the first photo above.  This is because Hugh wrecked the bike and  installed an earlier Ariel Square Four front end.  Still original parts, just wrong bike for them.



Ariel Square Four

This is a photo of me sitting on the bike.   I visited Hugh often and  asked about the bike.  He really didnt seem interested in selling it.... and so it sat.  


Ariel Square Four



Ariel Square Four



Ariel Square Four



Hugh Jone passed away, and on July 19, 2014, the Jones estate was sold at auction,  including the Ariel...


Ariel Square Four

The motorcycle brought $15,500 dollars

(this money went to the state)



Ariel Square Four


Ariel Square Four


Ariel Square Four


Ariel Square Four

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