Leader of the (very small) pack

“The crucial point is that in 1958 motorcycling and scootering were both at an all-time high.”

I’ve no idea if the Ariel Leader was a financial success, or whether it even recouped the investment put into its development and novel manufacturing techniques. Where it was undoubtedly successful however, was in reaching the market at the precise moment when it had a good chance of gaining acceptance.

The crucial point is that in 1958 motorcycling and scootering were both at an all-time high.