1926 Ariel Model B
payments to be made over one year, this is interesting, but not unusual for the time. More interesting is the extra charge of 10 shillings for an 'increase on tyres' which was for the latest wired-on tyres. To do this, the garage would have had to use Dunlop’s latest High Tensile rims, which meant lacing them onto the larger-than-standard Ariel brake hubs. High Tensile rims had proved their worth on the front wheel of many a race machine in previous years – however, Dunlop only sold them for just over a year as they were soon superseded by a Jones pattern rolled edge rim, which became a Dunlop staple. This, as far as we know, is the earliest documented example of Dunlop’s High Tensile rims and we would be interested to hear from anyone who knows or even owns a machine with said rims that dates before this Model B. This Model B was first registered on August 5, 1926, by Longman’s garage of Salisbury, Wiltshire, and sold on the 28th of the same month to Charles Henry Frank Frampton for £50. Bought on hire purchase, with 8% interest to allow Spotting this remarkably original Ariel Model B on the Ariel Owners Club stand was a real treat. True oily rag machines are incredibly hard to find, and this is the real deal, with many great details telling the history of the machine, including the original rubbers on the footboards. The only updates are the AMAC racing carburettor, which was fitted when the current owner took custody, who subsequently added the Lucas KR1 racing magneto – both additions give some pep to the Model B, which makes one reminisce of Lawrence Hartley’s ‘Zoomer,’ a vintage side-valve Ariel which won a Brooklands Clubman’s Race, hitting a staggering 92.24mph in the process.