Lot Ended
Description
1932 Riley Nine Gamecock
One of only around 50
thought to survive; current owner 25 years; only 10,000 miles on
rebuilt engine; well-maintained and in regular use; VSCC
eligible
In 1932 Riley
launched a new version of its Riley Nine chassis called the ‘Plus Ultra’. This
was considerably stiffer than previously and was also dropped to give a lower
seating position and create more room inside the cabin. To capitalize on the
sporting nature of the chassis, a new two-seater sports tourer was launched with
a lightweight aluminium body, all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and
large diameter drum brakes on all four wheels.
Called the Gamecock after
the Gloster Gamecock biplane fighter, it had a fold-flat screen for that
essential raffish look but was also equipped with full weather equipment and a
long, flat tail that housed a large boot capable of swallowing all the luggage a
couple might need on a touring holiday. Powered by a ‘Special Series’ high
compression twin carb version of the famous Riley Nine twin-cam four allied to
four-speed manual transmission, it could touch 70mph and proved successful in
competition, winning its class in the Coupe des Alpes and the International
Alpine Rally. Only in production for two years, it is thought that only around
50 Gamecocks survive today.
This Gamecock was
bought new by a Norman Melville of London W1 in January 1932. Two buff logbooks
and a green logbook document most of the subsequent owners, one of them being CH
Bulmer, the editor of ‘The Motor’ magazine, who treated the car to a body-off
rebuild in 1945/46 as shown in photos on file. Our vendor acquired the car in
1997 from a gentleman in Suffolk who had owned it since
1989.
Invoices show that the engine was rebuilt
by IS Polson of Newmarket in 1990, including a reground crank, new bearings,
balanced etc. The car was also repainted and generally restored at the same
time, including fitting new running boards. At this point the odometer was
showing just under 30,000 miles and the car has only done around 10,000 miles
since, as shown by 21 old MOTs from 1969 – 2012.
In 1998, shortly after he acquired the car, our vendor fitted new
piston rings and had the cylinder head rebuilt including the fitting of hardened
exhaust valve seats, since when the car has covered around 6,000 miles.
Well-known to the Riley Register and seen
regularly at VSCC events, the Gamecock has been well-maintained in the current
ownership with many invoices to prove. Highlights include: new king pins; brake
shoes and cables; tyres; rear axle oil seals; cooling pipes and hoses; Hartford
shock absorbers reconditioned; magneto rebuilt; stainless steel exhaust etc. The
bodywork and paint have been kept in good shape. A new hood and tonneau were
fitted by the previous owner and are in good condition although there are no
sidescreens.
Starting easily and running
nicely as we have moved it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure, this
sporting and well-historied Riley now only needs an enthusiastic new owner who
can continue to cherish it for future generations to
enjoy.
For more information contact James
on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]