Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; mechanical overhaul by Red Diamond in 1994;
bodywork restored at a cost of over £33k in 2006; went to Le Mans and back in
2012; 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 helped establish
the Coventry marque.
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 various V5s document
all 13 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 and
issued with VSCC papers in 1990, Albert has attended many events over the years,
including a trip to Le Mans and back in 2012. Old MOTs show that he has covered
some 10,000 miles since 2006. The previous owner acquired Albert from vintage
car specialist Robin Lawton in 2020 (for considerably more than the guide price
suggested here) and continued to look after him well.
The current owner acquired Albert via Brightwells in December 2022
but barely used the car before he sadly passed away, hence its reappearance in
this sale.
Albert comes with a large and
interesting history file and has been starting promptly and running well as
we have moved him around on site. He now needs an enthusiastic new owner who can
reap the benefit of all the hard work done to date and preserve him for
future generations to enjoy.
For more information contact James on
07970 309907 or
email [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT