Lot Ended
Description
1937 Riley 12/4 Falcon
Mechanically overhauled
by Blue Diamond in 1994; bodywork restored at a cost of over £33,000 in 2006;
went to Le Mans and back in 2012; a well-sorted Falcon ready for new
adventures
Riley produced
an astonishingly wide variety of sporting road cars during the 1920s and '30s,
sales being boosted by an impressive competition record which established the
Coventry marque as a worthy rival to the likes of Bentley, Aston Martin and
HRG.
The bedrock of Riley’s success was the
immortal Nine which they launched in 1926. Introduced at the 1934 Olympia Motor
Show, the Riley 12/4 successfully built on the Nine’s greatest strength – its
superb twin-cam engine. Modified and enlarged to 1.5 litres, the new engine
produced 51bhp and gave the 12/4 a top speed in excess of 70mph, impressive
performance for its class.
Three bodies were
available on the 12/4 chassis (an unusally low number by Riley standards!), the
more traditional, upright Falcon saloon being joined by the more racy looking
Kestrel, with an open Lynx model for the wind-in-the-hair brigade. Buyers could
choose between a manual or, at extra cost, a Wilson pre-selector gearbox.
Affectionately known as 'Albert', this Kestrel
was first registered in Llandudno in February 1937. Two buff logbooks and an old
V5 document all 12 keepers from 1953 until the present day.
Invoices and correspondence show that Albert had an extensive
mechanical overhaul by Blue Diamond Services in 1994 with the brakes, steering,
suspension, engine and pre-selector gearbox all attended to as required. Between
2004 and 2006 the bodywork was completely restored by Foundry Classics of
Dorking at a cost of over £33,500, the whole process being documented by many
photos on file (a small selection of which are shown here).
Well-known to the Riley Club, Albert has attended many events over
subsequent years, including a trip to Le Mans and back in 2012. Old MOTs show
that he has covered some 10,000 miles since 2006. Our vendor acquired Albert
from Vintage car specialist Robin Lawton in 2020 (for rather more than the guide
price suggested here) and has continued to look after him well.
Only reluctantly for sale due to infirmity
(the vendor, not the car!), Albert comes with a large and interesting history
file and has been starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved him
around on site, with good 40psi oil pressure. All he needs now is an
enthusiastic new owner who can reap the benefit of all the hard work done to
date and continue to cherish him in the manner to which he has become
accustomed.
For
more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
[email protected]