1957 Ariel 500cc HT5 Scrambles
Frame no. CPRS 449
Engine no. CNH 398

Famously once described by a rival BSA Gold Star rider as "...a magnificent beast", Ariel scramblers were renowned for their beefy power output, a strong transmission, and excellent forks, albeit they less well regarded concerning handling and overall weight. They enjoyed good results in early post war events, however, thanks to the efforts of Harold Lines and Eric Cheney; not so well known perhaps is that Dave Curtis, 1959 British ACU Scrambles Champion, also cut-his-teeth astride a 'works' Ariel but, following a brilliant ride in the important (and very) muddy Lancashire Grand National, he was poached by Matchless! Ariel scrambles machines -- and the same applies to Velocette scramblers -- are today revered for their rarity; disregarding that beneath the skin they were obvious conversions of those firms' top of the range highway models, not fully suited for purpose, but of which complacent managements knew they could sell a few examples in USA. Owned for some years by Ariel guru John Budgen, and in his words "....never ridden in anger", he nevertheless participated at the Goodwood Revival exhibition scramble in 2012. He also reports that the engine was originally fitted with sidecar gearing, an anomaly that links with a physical inspection by the Ariel Owners Club's Registrar/Archivist in 2012 that states the frame "was probably supplied as a spare", a frequent occurrence within the competition world. Offered with AOMCC Dating Certificate.