Ariel Motor Tricycle

Ariel motor tricycle, 1898-1899. Motor-tricycles were at their height of popularity in the 1890s. During this period Ariel Motors produced the ‘Ariel’ motor-tricycle, its design based on the De Dion-Bouton model of tricycle. The Ariel motor-tricycle was able to establish its reputation by winning the Paris to Marseilles to Paris race in 1896 at the speed of 14.5 mph, making the model very fashionable. This is an example of a later model than the machine that won the 1896 race and sports some improvements including enclosed gears and improved weight distribution positioning the engine in front of the axle.