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Ariel Motor Company is a British car manufacturer that has a rich history in the motorcycle industry. The company has undergone two rebirths in its lifetime, first in 1902 and again in 1991. While Ariel is now known for its high-performance sports cars, its roots can be traced back to the production of bicycles in Britain.

The company was founded in 1870 by James Starley and William Hillman, who began producing bicycles under the name Ariel. Over time, the company’s focus shifted to the production of motorized vehicles, and in 1902, Ariel produced its first motorcycle. The motorcycle was a single-cylinder machine that was powered by a 211cc engine and was capable of reaching a top speed of 25 mph.

Ariel continued to produce motorcycles throughout the early part of the 20th century, and in the 1930s, the company began to gain a reputation for producing high-quality machines. Some of Ariel’s most famous models from this period include the Ariel Red Hunter, the Ariel Square Four, and the Ariel Leader.

During World War II, Ariel’s production was focused on military motorcycles, and the company played a significant role in supplying vehicles for the British military. Following the war, Ariel resumed production of civilian motorcycles, but the company’s fortunes began to decline in the 1950s as competition from Japanese manufacturers increased.

By the 1960s, Ariel was struggling to stay afloat, and in 1965, the company was merged with BSA. The Ariel brand continued to be used on joint models with BSA, but production of standalone Ariel motorcycles ceased in 1970.

However, the Ariel brand was revived in 1991, when a group of enthusiasts acquired the rights to the name and began producing high-performance sports cars. The company’s first car was the Ariel Atom, a minimalist, open-cockpit design that was powered by a high-performance Honda engine. The Atom quickly gained a reputation as one of the most extreme and exciting sports cars on the market, thanks to its lightweight design and blistering performance.

In addition to the Atom, Ariel has also produced other high-performance vehicles, such as the Nomad, a rugged, off-road capable vehicle that is designed to tackle any terrain. Ariel has also experimented with alternative power sources, producing a hybrid version of the Atom that uses a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor.

Today, Ariel Motor Company is a small but innovative manufacturer that produces some of the most exciting and unique sports cars on the market. With a focus on lightweight design and high-performance engineering, Ariel cars offer a truly thrilling driving experience that is hard to match. The company’s rich history in the motorcycle industry is evident in the design and engineering of its vehicles, which are known for their exceptional handling and performance.