Lot # : 750 - 1940 Ariel Red Hunter Race Bike

This is probably the most revered bike in pre war historic racing in Australia. History; This has been a race bike from the early 1950’s onwards, a great example of a clubman’s race bike of the era. The bike retains its original race condition of the 70 plus years and has never been restored. The bike was raced by Dickie Rees during the 1950’s and also by him in the early 70’s at Easter Bathurst historic race meetings. At some point in the mid to late 70’s the bike passed into the ownership of famous sidecar racer Bob Levy. Bob rode the Ariel at the Easter Bathurst Historic race demonstration s during the latter part of the 70’s and early 80’s. Bob’s No44 number plates were hand painted by the late great GreggHansford in the Bathurst pits and also signed by him. These will come with the bike as a momento of its history. Bob sold the bike to Ern Dalsanto ( who raced Ariels himself in the early 50’s) around 80/82. The engine seized when Bob last rode it Ern built up a new engine and the bike first raced in January 1983 at Amaroo park all historic meeting. With Ern’s meticulous preparation and development skills, the bike was raced continuously for the next 27 years before Ern’s passing in early 2010. During that time the bike won close to 150 individual races and included 5 Australian and 12 NSW championships. The bikes last race was a win at the Australian title in 2009 and has not been ridden since. The engine in the bike is not in running condition, the piston, camshafts and push rods being used for another purpose. However there is a race prepared engine going with the bike that just needs the head putting on. A multitude of parts are being sold with the bike including 2 engines, race developed heads, cams, rods, two magnetos cases etc. This is a rare opportunity to own a genuine Australian built racer and a bike that has virtually never been anything but a racer