The late 1950’s was an interesting time for the motorcycle world. Countries had economically bounced back a great deal following WW2. This era would see some pretty iconic two-wheelers roll out of their respective factories and these are two great examples of machines that played a role in defining that era. Germany and England had (and still have) a pretty different way of doing things when it comes to designing a motorcycle and that becomes increasingly evident looking at a motorcycle from each country from the same year in the late ’50’s.
In 1928 Edward Turner (who would later become general manager and chief designer at Triumph) designed the engine that would be used three-years later as the power plant for the Ariel Square Four. The bike would continue production for 28 years and the early models featured a novel engine layout that featured basically two parallel twins connected by the pair’s geared central flywheels. The four cylinder engine had a single head but was made more unique by its two transverse crankshafts.
The Square Four MK II featured a 997cc engine with a redesigned cylinder head and four separate exhausts connected to two cast aluminum manifolds as well as an inlet manifold being paired with a rocker-box and surprisingly a SU carb was used. Altogether the Square Four weighed 425lbs, the motor made 40hp and could hit 100mph. Reportedly it sold new for £336.
This particular example is an MK II and was the final generation of the five Square Fours models that existed. The seller says the ’58 Ariel is “A beautiful example of British style but this is not a show bike”. The pictures however reveal that the bike is in pretty good shape, and according to the seller, aside from the fuel lines the entire bike is “bone stock” including the original seat covering. The seller also writes “(the) Crash bars are in consonance with the Johnson Bros. ads from Pasadena of that time period.”
BMW had a difficult time following the war. Initially, they were not allowed to continue building motorcycles so the manufacturer temporarily pivoted to making bicycles as well as pots and pans. Throughout their history, however they made fantastic motorcycles that were brilliantly engineered, beautifully crafted and skillfully assembled. The boxer engine was (and continues to be) incredibly successful, undoubtedly one of the primary reasons the R69 was so popular. The 549cc shaft-drive opposed twin boxer made 35hp and topped out at just shy of an impressive 110mph.
These Munich-built sportbikes boasted fairly high compression and was not only fun to ride but considered the epitome of a luxury motorcycle in its time. An early 1960’s Cycle World magazine wrote: “it has acquired a reputation that makes it a “prestige” motorcycle — even among people who ordinarily don’t give two wheelers a second glance,” when discussing the now iconic R69.
The famous BMW two-wheeler housed its engine in a double-loop steel tubular frame fitted with Earles fork with suspension units paired with oil pressure shock absorbers and a 200mm drum brake slowed down the 445lb R69 (or 202kgs). The now prestigious German scoot was brought to life via a Magneto ignition. The R69 was produced from ’55-’69 but in that time became one of the most coveted motorcycles in the world.
You can find the 1958 BMW R69 for sale here on Craigslist at the Garage Company in Los Angeles, CA and you can find the 1958 Ariel Square Four for sale here on Craigslist where it’s currently is stored in Seattle. Both 1958 bikes are clean as hell and share a price of $25,000.