Ariel 497cc HT5 'GOV 132' Replica

Registration no. not registered Frame no. none visible Engine no. TR173

• Built by Sammy Miller
• Formerly on display at the Sammy Miller Museum
• Re-commissioned by Sammy Miller in December 2015

"Miller took the HT5 and transformed it into one of the most famous machines ever known in the field of motorcycle competition. Known affectionately by its registration number GOV 132..." – On Two Wheels.

Ariel was one of the last British manufacturers to introduce a trials frame with rear suspension, the prototype of what would become the HT5 first appearing at the 1955 Scottish Six Days event with production proper commencing in September of that year. Little was achieved by the works HT5s in their first season but the arrival of Ron Langston for 1956 brought with it the success Ariel had been seeking. For the next few seasons the HT5 was the class of the field. Arguably the most capable of the 'heavyweight' trials irons, the HT5 disappeared along with Ariel's other four-strokes in 1959 after only 450-or-so had been made, though Sammy Miller's famous and much modified example - 'GOV 132' - would continue winning at the highest level well into the 1960s.

Sammy began the machine's development by modifying the front fork and yokes, shortening the wheelbase. He then did away with the separate oil tank (henceforth the oil was contained in the frame) and altered the rear sub-frame and suspension mounts. These changes necessitated building an entirely new frame out of Reynolds 531 tubing, which was significantly lighter than the stock component. In addition, everything that could be made out of a lighter-than-standard material was, the result being that 'GOV 132' weighed a mere 225lb, an amazingly low figure for a 500cc four-stroke single. Commenting on 'GOV 132' in his book, Classic British Trials Bikes, off-road historian Don Morley had this to say: "Vastly increased ground clearance, minimal weight, and nothing on the machine that needn't be there. All part of Miller's trade mark, to be copied though rarely as successfully by every trials manufacturer since."

This replica of 'GOV 132' was built by Sammy Miller for display in his museum in New Milton, Hampshire (the real 'GOV 132' was for many years on loan to the National Motorcycle Museum). Sold by Sammy in 2001 to a Canadian enthusiast, the machine subsequently returned to the UK and in December 2015 was re-commissioned by Sammy for the current vendor (see supporting paperwork and bills on file). A wonderful opportunity to own an accurate 'GOV 132' replica, built by the man himself, Sammy Miller.