Vehicle Description
Two famous British motorcycling names are joined together in this
uncommonly stylish post-war motorcycle-sidecar outfit certain to
gather attention wherever it is seen and enjoyed.� The Ariel Square
Four was one of the most glamorous and best known of British
motorcycles and has been described as "the smoothest British
motorcycle of all time".� The Square Four was designed and brought
to Ariel in 1928 by Edward Turner - who later became an industry
legend at Triumph.� The innovative four-cylinder design mounts two
cylinder blocks with parallel crankshafts turning in opposite
directions on a crankcase located transversely in the frame,
together with single overhead camshafts on each pair of cylinders.
�The Ariel Square Four was introduced as 500 cc in 1930 at the
Olympia Motorcycle Show and enlarged to 600 cc two years later. A
new 1,000 cc Square Four was introduced at Olympia in November
1935, producing 38 hp @ 5,800 rpm.� What has been described at
�instant' throttle response, smooth acceleration, reliability and
compact packaging make Ariel 1,000 cc Square Fours highly desirable
today and particularly well suited to pulling a sidecar.� The
Watsonian sidecar in this outfit was also manufactured by one of
the most venerable names in British motorcycling; now the oldest
sidecar manufacturer in the world more than a century later.�
Watsonian was founded in 1912 to produce a clever folding sidecar
that could pass through narrow spaces.� Throughout the pre-war
years, Watsonian maintained a position as a premier builder of
elegantly styled open and closed sidecars as well as "Speed" models
intended for racing. The early post-war years were a boom time for
British motorcycle and sidecar manufacturers, filling the need for
inexpensive transportation for a cash-strapped nation still
rebuilding itself following WWII.� By the mid-1950s, nearly 140,000
sidecar outfits were registered on British roads.� Half of them
were built by Watsonian - who also built Sidecar World
Championship-winning outfits in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1954.� The
Ariel-Watsonian outfit offered here is a unique combination of
pre-war design and post-war execution.� The vehicle is offered in
very good original condition after being part of a private Seattle,
Washington collection since the 1980s.� The black frame has been
repainted and retains the original black seat as well as original
trim, badges and hardware, including an RAC disc mounted at the
rear wheel.� The finish shows nicks and chips as to be expected,
with a pleasing amount of patina.� The Watsonian sidecar is simply
a delight, finished in forest green and seating two passengers in
tandem, front-to-rear, with access by a hinged door on the curb
side.� The interior is upholstered in a saddle colored weatherproof
material.� Unexpected comforts include plexiglass windows for full
weather protection, a large canvas sunroof that rolls open from the
front of the sidecar, a �locker' incorporated into the rear of the
car, plus a polished rack mounted on the roof for small pieces.� A
tailored satchel in the interior appears to be intended to
transport a dog in comfort.� The art deco style sidecar fender and
wheel cover complete the coquettish design. This very original and
well cared-for motorcycle-sidecar outfit is completely sorted, runs
and drives well.� No words might better describe the experience
than these used in promotion of the Ariel Square Four motorcycle,
promising:� "Good performance and comfort with a genuinely refined
feel".� Sure to be welcomed anywhere.