Ariel - an overview
From Graces Guide
| Ariel - an overview of the various companies and their connections
A guide to the main companies involved in making Ariel machines following James Starley's original development. N.B. this represents work in progress and hopefully the gaps can be filled in future. | ||||
| Period | Cycles | Motorcycles | Motorcars | Retail |
| 1870 | James Starley and William Hillman patented the Ariel "ordinary". | - | - | - |
| 1871 | James Starley and William Hillman started making Ariels. | - | - | - |
| 1871 - 3 | Smith, Starley and Co making the Ariel as well as sewing machines | - | - | - |
| 1874 | Smith, Starley and Co moved to Ariel Works, Coventry. Haynes and Jefferis had licenced the Ariel from Starley | - | - | - |
| 1875 - 9 | Haynes and Jefferis at Ariel Works - sole licensees for the Ariel | - | - | - |
| 1880 | Haynes and Jefferis had gone into liquidation and been incorporated into D. Rudge and Co which occupied Ariel Works, Coventry | - | - | - |
| 1893-4 | Ariel registered as trademark by Guest and Barrow but the company closed in 1894. | - | - | - |
| 1896 | Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co formed to take over Pneumatic Tyre Co, Coventry; acquired Ariel name. | - | - | - |
| 1896 | Dunlop Cycle Co established | - | - | - |
| 1896-7 | Name changed to Ariel Cycle Co | - | - | - |
| 1897-8 | Ariel Cycle Co acquired by Cycle Components Manufacturing Co Ltd. Production moved to Ariel Works, Bournbrook. | First motorised Ariel tricycle | - | - |
| 1901 | Ariel Cycle Co. | First Ariel motorcycle produced | Started to make motorcars | Ariel Motor Co Ltd sold Ariel quadricycles |
| 1906 | Ariel Cycle Co. | Ariel Motors (1906) formed to consolidate production and retail | Ariel Motors (1906) formed to consolidate production and retail | Ariel Motors (1906) formed to consolidate production and retail |
| 1909-10 | Ariel, Fleet and Mercury cycles produced by Ariel Works, Bournbrook | Components Ltd continued production | Components Ltd disposed of car making to Lorraine Dietrich | Ariel Motors; Ariel Motors (1906) declared bankrupt. |
| 1911 | Ariel, Fleet and Mercury cycles produced by Ariel Works, Bournbrook | Components Ltd continued production | Lorraine Dietrich ceased production in Britain. | Ariel Motors. |
| c.1912-17 | Ariel and Fleet cycles | Components Ltd continued production | Components Ltd re-acquired the Bournbrook site | Ariel Motors |
| 1917-32 | Ariel and Fleet cycles | Ariel Works Ltd | Ariel Works Ltd continued production until 1925 | - |
| 1932 | Components Ltd in liquidation | Components Ltd in liquidation; motorcycle assets acquired by Jack Sangster | Components Ltd in liquidation | - |
| 1932-44 | - | Ariel Motors (J.S.) Ltd established and led by Jack Sangster | - | - |
| 1944-65 | - | BSA acquired Ariel Motors (J.S.); production of Ariel machines continued | - | - |