Skip to main content

LOT 530

1929 Ariel 497cc Standard Model E Registration no. GU 1978 Frame no. 4720 Engine no. H4705T

Sold for £9,775 inc. premium
Lot 530

1929 Ariel 497cc Standard Model E
Registration no. GU 1978 Frame no. 4720 Engine no. H4705T

1929 Ariel 497cc Standard Model E
Registration no. GU 1978
Frame no. 4720
Engine no. H4705T

Ariel's design department was blessed with a surfeit of talent as the company entered the 1930s, with Chief Designer Val Page working alongside both Edward Turner and Bert Hopwood. It was Page, though, who had laid down the basics of Ariel's four-stroke singles range in 1926, moved the magneto behind the engine for '27 and thus established the form in which the engine would survive for the next 30 years. Ariel's range at this time encompassed a dazzling variety of models, with vertical engines, sloping engines, side valves, overhead valves - two or four per cylinder - all represented together with Turner's revolutionary Square Four.

'GU 1978' was acquired by the current vendor on 30th November 2009 having previously been registered to one Geoffrey Kent of Mitcham, Surrey in April 1970. In 'barn find' condition when acquired (see photographs on file) the Ariel was restored by the vendor over the next few years and completed in 2015. The machine was last used on the VMCC's Graham Walker Run in 2017 and is described by the vendor as in good condition throughout. Only gentle re-commissioning should be required before further use. Accompanying paperwork includes an old-style green continuation logbook; a current V5C Registration Certificate; and a quantity of photocopied marque-related literature. (As is so often the case, the V5C incorrectly implies that the previous keeper was the original owner.)
Offered without key

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding

Saleroom notices

The frame number is H4720.

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

  • 23 April 2022, 09:00 - 17:30 BST
  • 24 April 2022, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

Bid now on these items

1980 Ducati 900 MHR
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1980 Ducati 900 MHR

£7,000 - £9,000
1914 Sunbeam 3½hp
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1914 Sunbeam 3½hp

£8,000 - £12,000
1975 Ducati 750 GT
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1975 Ducati 750 GT

£8,000 - £10,000
Yamaha Banshee 350. Custom Made Le Mans Edition, 2004.
Denmark

Yamaha Banshee 350. Custom Made Le Mans Edition, 2004.

DKK80,000 - DKK100,000
The Automotor and Horseless Vehicle Journal; 35 bound Volumes 1 to 25 (1896-1920), and Volume 32 (1927)
United Kingdom

The Automotor and Horseless Vehicle Journal; 35 bound Volumes 1 to 25 (1896-1920), and Volume 32 (1927)

£7,000 - £8,000
A Singer 'Xtraordinary' lever-driven 'Safety bicycle', circa 1882,
United Kingdom

A Singer 'Xtraordinary' lever-driven 'Safety bicycle', circa 1882,

£8,000 - £12,000
Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 1913 Belsize 10/12hp Open Tourer
United Kingdom

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
1913 Belsize 10/12hp Open Tourer

£10,000 - £15,000