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Tour de fours

 

Ariel’s Square Four was something way out of the ordinary when it was launched – and, though the model was oft modified, the model remained a feature of the Selly Oak firm’s range for over a quarter of a century.
 

Ariel’s Square Four went on sale at a time when really logic dictated the last thing any motorcycle manufacturer should sensibly do, was launch a range topping multi cylinder machine. Still, it was a philosophy shared by others too (Matchless and its even more elaborate than the Square Four, Silver Hawk springs immediately to mind) and as both Ariel and Matchless survived the period, when plenty others didn’t, perhaps the idea of appealing to a different end of the market had some credence.

Famously, the Square Four was penned by an aspiring young designer and engineer, by the name of Edward Turner. So the story goes, Turner hawked his sketches (apparently on the back of a cigarette packet) of a four-cylinder machine, with the cylinders arranged in two pairs – two vertical twins, in effect, one behind the other – around the manufacturers, with Ariel boss Jack Sangster deciding to take a punt on the young Londoner and his idea. Turner was given an office in Ariel’s Selly Oak factory and was given an assistant too – a chap named Hopwood, first name Herbert, who was to do a bit of good himself...
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PLUS ONLY IN THE MAGAZINE:

• Squariels in the raw

• Vincent-Norton viscount • spanish collection • rudge multi • nec show • bernd rosemeyer • downland trophy trial • panther pegasus sprinter • Solid citizen – Triumph’s dependable Speed Twin

The Motor Cycling Specials Day, Silverstone, March 1956

In late March 1956, Motor Cycling magazine arranged a ‘specials day’ at Silverstone and brought together three home-brewed 125cc class racers competing in Britain at the time. The party consisted of Bert Fruin, Len Harfield and partners Lewis and Foster with respectively the ‘Fruin Special’, the ‘LCH’ and the ‘LEF’ all of which were double overhead camshaft 125cc singles. In addition, Jim Bound brought along his Italian 125cc twin cylinder two-stroke Rumi production racer while Gerry Turner also turned out, bringing his pair of specials, one powered by a 250cc, two-valve Rudge engine, the other with motive force supplied by a BSA Gold Star power unit. The Turner Rudge boasted the unusual for 1956 fitment of girder forks...
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Unfortunately, space precludes us from including all of the plates that were in the box, but a visit to www.mortonsarchive.com will enable you to see all the others.

To view more photos from the archive and order prints please visit:
www.mortonsarchive.com >>

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From the editor

Latest News

Rideout from Stafford

As well as all the usual high-class attractions (the UK’s finest classic concours display, national club stands, a vast, sprawling in and outdoor autojumble, laden trade stalls, trials demonstrations, a road race paddock, the list goes on...) this year at the Classic MotorCycle Show, held over the 24-25 April at the Staffordshire County Showground, there’s an enhanced rideout section of the show too. The rideout element was added last season and proved an immediate hit; for 2010 there promises to be even more on offer – more makers, more machines and, consequently, more opportunities...
[Read more national news..]

DVCA sale

The future of the Collectors Motorcycle Auctions held twice yearly at the Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet has been secured by Dorset Vintage and Classic Auctions (DVCA) based at Station Road, Stalbridge, Dorset...
[Read more local news..]

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