1974 BSA Ariel 3, model type K2, 49cc. Registration number U...

Hammer

£840

1974 BSA Ariel 3, model type K2, 49cc. Registration number UCY 600N. Frame number 006329. Engine number 08467.
‘Here it is. Whatever it is.’ That was how the BSA Group’s advertisers heralded the arrival of the ill-conceived Ariel 3 in 1970. A tricycle aimed squarely at commuters, the Ariel 3 was powered by a 50cc Dutch Anker engine and featured a clever banking front end controlled by torsion bars, while its closely-spaced rear wheels, which remained upright, allowed the Ariel trike to be classed as a moped. No doubt BSA’s overblown marketing department had concluded that the apparent stability of such an arrangement would appeal to those nervous of riding a ‘real’ motorcycle or moped. They were very much mistaken; the machine turned out to be a disastrous flop, the £2 million wasted on the project playing a big part in precipitating the Group’s subsequent collapse.
UCY is a rare apparently complete machine that still retains its orange tinted windshield. It was owned by John Dainty in 2009 who had it MOT'd in 2010 before our vendor bought it in 2017. It will require recommissioning before use.
Sold with the V5C, 2010 MOT, 1977 tax disc, copies of the owners handbook and workshop manual.