Please Note: Information regarding these museum display vehicles was provided by the National Military History Center and has not been independently verified by Auctions America by RM ("AA"). As such, AA does not verify, warrant or guarantee any of this information. Prior inspection and research by the buyer is highly encouraged and recommended.
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Please note this is being sold on "Bill of Sale" only.
Manufacturer: Ariel Motors Ltd., Birmingham, England
Production Year: 1940
Engine: Ariel over-head-valve, 348-cc, 12.8-hp, air-cooled, one-cylinder, gasoline
Transmission: Four-speed foot-change gearbox
Brakes: Mechanical
Length: 84-inches
Width: 30-inches
Height: 42-inches
Wheelbase: 55-inches
Weight: 351-pounds
Armor: None
Armament: None
Maximum Road Speed: 70-mph
Markings: British Army olive drab paint scheme
The Ariel W/NG entered service with the British Army in 1940. It was based on a racing version of the civilian Ariel NG. The French Army actually received a small number of early production models prior to the British Army. The French Ariel W/NGs were all found in their original shipping crates in a warehouse in Ostend, France in 1945. They were returned to England and sold as surplus shortly after the end of World War II. The military Ariel W/NGs were manufactured with increased ground clearance as well as modifications to a number of internal and external components. The crankcase, gearbox, chain-case cover and timing-cover were produced in pressed-steel as opposed to light-alloys used in the civilian models (light-alloys became a priority material in the production of military aircraft). The dry-clutch had an extra plate added to increase durability. The rear sub-frame was altered to lower the rear wheel and the front fork girders were extended, resulting in the Ariel W/NG’s aforementioned increased ground clearance. These modifications and the W/NG’s relatively light weight resulted in very good off-road performance. The Ariel W/NG was produced in large numbers for the British Army, Navy and Home Guard units.