Produced between 1931 and 1959, a total of 15,641 Square Fours were built.
Ariel Square Four 4F (1931 - 1936). The first Ariel Square Four 4F was shown at the Olympia Motorcycle Show in 1930 in chain driven overhead-camshaft 500 cc form. Early Square Fours used a hand-change, four-speed Burman gearbox.
In 1932 the cylinder bores were enlarged by 5 mm to give a capacity of 601 cc. This model was used for the Maudes Trophy test, covering 700 miles in 700 minutes, followed by a timed lap of 87.4 mph. (In 1923 a Mr George Petty, of Maude's Motor Mart, had donated a "challenge trophy" for the ACU to award each year for the most meritorious, observed endurance test for motor cycles, known as the Maudes Trophy.)
Ariel Square Four 4G (1936 - 1949). The "Cammy" engine gained a reputation for overheating the rear cylinder heads, so in 1936 the engine was completely redesigned, emerging as the 1937 OHV 995 cc model 4G. In 1939 Ariel's patented Anstey-link plunger rear suspension became an option.
In 1946 the plunger rear was available again, and oil damped telescopic front forks replaced the previous girder type.
Ariel Square Four Mark I (1949 - 1953). In 1949 the Ariel Square Four Mark I saw the cast-iron cylinder head and barrel replaced by alloy head and barrel. This saved about 30 lb in weight. The 1949 machine weighed around 435 lb dry, produced 35 bhp at 5500 rpm and was capable of 90 mph-plus.
Ariel Square Four Mark II (1953 - 1959). In 1953, the "four pipe" 997 cc Ariel Square Four Mk II was released, with a separate barrels and a re-designed cylinder head, with four separate exhaust pipes. The Square Four was now a genuine 100 mph motorcycle.
In 1954 Ariel built prototypes of a Mk3 with Earles forks, but the model was never put into production.
In 1959 Square Four production, and that of all other Ariel four-stroke models, ceased.
Source: Graces Guide
