1938 Ariel 'Model 4F' Square Four Project

Designed by the legendary Edward Turner, the Ariel Square Four was first shown at Olympia in 1930. Unique at the time of its introduction, the 'Squariel', as it was swiftly dubbed, featured a single block of four cylinders and twin geared-together crankshafts with pistons phased at 180 degrees. The crankcase was split horizontally, unusually for a motorcycle engine of the period, while the vertical valves were operated by a single overhead camshaft. A supercharged example was raced at the Isle of Man TT in 1931 without success, which was hardly surprising as its makers had envisaged the model as more of a luxury tourer than an out-and-out sports machine. Although launched as a '500', the Squariel was soon enlarged to 601cc with an eye on the important sidecar market, this bigger 4F6 version being made available for the 1932 model year. The '500' was dropped after 1932 but the '600' continued until the end of 1936, its place being taken by the totally redesigned Model 4G, with 995cc overhead-valve engine. In late 1938 the 599cc 4F reappeared in the range for 1939, redesigned along the lines of its larger sibling.

The late owner purchased the Ariel Square Four offered here in August 2011 as a restoration project from noted collector Guy Hovey. Sadly, the vendor passed away before the restoration could be completed, and the machine is offered as an unfinished project. At the time of his passing the vendor was understood to have been in the process of rewiring the electrics. The Ariel currently displays an odometer reading of 431 miles; the engine turns over, and the machine is supplied with two keys. A quantity of spare parts comes with it, including the saddle.

Dating certificates from Draganfly Motorcycles confirm that frame 'P266' was originally supplied with (995cc) engine 'DC262', the machine being dispatched on 29th January 1937 to Lawrence Freeman of London. Registration number 'FLB 925' was issued in November 1938, while the 1964 continuation logbook on file records the date of first registration as 12th December 1938. (It is not known why the Ariel appears to have waited almost two years to find a buyer.) The machine was registered to Edward Godwin of Ipswich, later passing to E T Frear of Saffron Walden, Essex, although the date of that transfer is not recorded.

The accompanying current V5C Registration Certificate lists frame number 'P266' and engine number 'XJ756', the latter relating to a 995cc unit dating from 1953.
However, the engine presently fitted is stamped 'EE 202' which is believed to be a non-factory stamp. A note on the envelope containing the V5C states that engine 'EE202' is a 600cc unit.

The spare engine supplied with the machine, 'DC203', is identified by Draganfly as a correct 4G-type (995cc) Square Four engine, originally supplied in December 1936 in frame number '213'.

The history file also includes a printout relating to the purchase of a rebuilt 1939 600cc Square Four engine, described as having been rebuilt from the bottom end with new main and big-end bearings and a reconditioned cylinder head, which is presumed to refer to the engine currently installed. Additional paperwork includes a copy of The Book of the Ariel together with a photocopy of a workshop manual for the Ariel Square Four.
Offered with key