1957 Ariel HT3
Sammy Miller restored and owned

Registration No: 677 AJH
Frame No: RT249
Engine No: AMA 2465
CC: 500
MOT: None

• Quite possible "one of the best HT3s in the world"
• Restored retaining its ‘original’ spec
• No paperwork

Ariel had introduced a pair of new competition singles, the HS scrambler and the HT trials model for the 1954 season. The HS model employed a pivoted fork frame derived from that being used on the roadsters, but the HT continued with a rigid frame.

The works trials riders found themselves at a disadvantage compared to their rivals from AMC and Royal Enfield who were mounted on machines equipped with swinging arm frames and started employing the sprung frame used by the HS. When the team arrived in Scotland for the start of the 1955 Scottish Six Day Trials in May they were mounted on machines that were effectively the prototypes for what is arguably the finest large-capacity four-stroke trials bike, the HT5.

The machines retained the well-proven all-alloy engine of the HT but a completely new lightweight swinging arm frame of all welded construction was employed. The frame was open at the bottom with the engine, transmission and their associated "engine plates" effectively forming a structural component of the chassis. The swinging arm was built in the style of those fitted to the road-going machines with an oval section made from two welded pressings per side and was complimented by a set of Ariel telescopic forks at the front. A light alloy fuel tank and an alloy, full-width front hub were fitted.

With the development work carried out by Sammy Miller with his ‘GOV 132’ the big Ariel fought a valiant rearguard remaining competitive well into the sixties in the face of an ever-growing number of lightweight machines and today is one of the most popular "heavyweight" singles with competitors in pre ‘65 trials events, once again fighting against lightweight Cubs and James two strokes.

We are grateful to the vendor, Sammy Miller, for the following information:

“We have just restored this Ariel HT3 in our restoration workshop, all done by our expert Jim Devereux. The whole bike has been restored regardless of cost and surely must be one of the best HT3s in the world. The bike came to us with the registration number ‘677 AJH’ but unfortunately no paperwork. When we bought the bike it was 100% original and not modified in any way. We decided to do a total restoration as you would never find a 100% original competition Ariel HT3 again.”

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415871189