1958 Ariel Leader

Motorcycle

2-cyl. 247cc/16hp

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$4,300*

+2.4%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value Graph07/2310/2301/2404/24$1k$2k$3k$4kJun 2024
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1958-1965 Ariel Leader and Arrow stats
Highest sale
$6,050
Lowest sale
$1,223
Most recent sale
$6,050
Sales
2
insurance

Protect your 1958 Ariel Leader from the unexpected for only $160 per year**

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**Figure based on a stock 1958 Ariel Leader valued at $4,300 with OH rates with $100/300K liability/UM/UIM limits. Actual costs vary depending on the coverage selected, vehicle condition, state and other factors. Hagerty determines final risk acceptance.

Model overview

Model description

In 1958, Ariel was in deep trouble. The company had sold only two examples of its flagship Square Four in 1957, and it couldn’t afford a long overdue overhaul. Its other four-stroke heavyweights, meanwhile, were not strong competitors and the picture looked bleak for Ariel.

Just in time, though, designer Val Page came up with an unconventional idea to save the company. Page was aware of the inroads that Vespa and Lambretta had made into the UK market, and that their scooters were badly copied by everybody else. He felt he could design a motorcycle that offered the benefits of a scooter, but had decent performance and full weather equipment.

Page avoided the 10-inch wheels and step-through construction and designed a proper machine with 16-inch wheels and enough grunt to safely do 75 mph. It would be easy to ride, practical and easy to maintain. The company bet the farm on retooling for the 250 cc Leader, which had fully enclosed bodywork and was available in attractive colors. Page hit every target he aimed for, but failed to win either motorcycle or scooter fans. It must have galled him that many of his ideas appeared on the Honda Dream.

Page based his design around the excellent German Adler two-stroke twin. It was suspended beneath a pressed steel beam that extended from the steering head to the rear suspension. The advanced engine was enclosed behind detachable panels, and the halves of the crank were bolted and keyed together so the engine could be rebuilt without splitting the case.

The fuel tank was placed under the seat in the beam and the seat hinged upwards for refueling. A dummy tank in front was a lockable storage area. The bodywork featured integrated leg shields, a windshield and a full dashboard including speedometer, ammeter, height-adjustable headlight and flashing turn signals. A trailing link front suspension and fully enclosed chain guard completed the package, which was offered in bright colors and with whitewall tires. The bike had a four-speed gearbox and weighed only about 275 lbs.

The press loved it, but bikers and scooterists didn’t. You can’t be a bad boy on an Easter egg color bike with leg shields and a big windshield, and how do you attach clips-ons to pressed steel forks? Scooter riders thought the Leader was too big, and Vespa and Lambretta hit back with low-cost financing.

Page was undeterred. He stripped off the bodywork to create the sporting Arrow, often called Golden Arrow because of its color. Power was bumped up to 20 bhp and Herman Meyer tuned Arrows for racing, with Michael O’Rourke’s scoring a seventh place finish at the 1960 Isle of Man Lightweight TT, at 80.18 mph.

One other big problem was that Americans didn’t want an all-weather bike, as they saw motorcycles as fair weather fun. To most of them, it didn’t matter that the Leader was reliable and could return 70 mpg at 60 mph. Sales never took off in the U.S., and production ceased in 1965.

The Leader and Arrow were successful in the UK with 35,200 sold, and that’s the place to look for one. Bodywork is very difficult to find, but mechanical parts are available.

Leaders and Arrows are not expensive and are reliable, quiet and economical. They do require mixing two-stroke fuel, though. With their bright colors, prominent features, and very 1950s-looking presence, the Ariel Leader and Arrow are bound to attract attention everywhere.

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Common Questions

The value of a 1958 Ariel Leader can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $4,300 for a 1958 Ariel Leader in good condition with average spec.

Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.

Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.

Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.

The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.

All prices shown here are based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. The Hagerty Price Guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial advice. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.com/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of The Hagerty Group LLC, ©2024 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Hagerty Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty, Inc.

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