Lot Ended
Description
In the current family ownership for 28 years; drop chassis and Special
Series twin-carb engine; restored in the 1980s and carefully maintained since;
good Blockley tyres all round; very pretty indeed
Launched in
1926, the Riley Nine was acclaimed as one of the best small sporting cars in the
world during the inter-war period. The 1,087cc twin-cam engine was brilliantly
engineered and gave 60mph performance, the handling was delightful and it came
in a wide range of extremely attractive body styles.
The Monaco saloon came out in 1926 and had a fabric body until 1932
and a more conventional aluminium body from 1933 – 1935. Beautifully trimmed
inside, with lashings of walnut and leather, it was the sporting saloon that
every speed-loving family aspired to and survivors are still highly prized by
Vintage car enthusiasts today.
First registered
in London in March 1933, this Riley Nine Monaco has the lowered chassis,
rear-mounted fuel tank, sloping radiator and Special Series twin-carb engine
which were introduced in 1931 for the most sporting Plus Ultra models.
It comes with a good amount of history back to
the late 1950s, including many historic photos of the car and many old tax
discs. From c.1978 – 1997 it was owned by a Tony Irwin of Lancaster who
used it on various VSCC events and treated it to a body-off restoration in
the 1980s, including a rebuilt engine and gearbox, as detailed in an album of
photos on file.
Our
vendor’s father acquired the car in August 1997 when it was showing 33,178 miles
on the odometer and over the next 8 years he added another 3,000 miles, keeping
a detailed log of work carried out to the car during this period which included
regular servicing and chassis lubrication. There are also various invoices for
new parts fitted including what looks like a fairly major suspension and
steering overhaul in 1999.
When he emigrated in
2005, he passed the Riley on to his son who has used it regularly but rather
less frequently, six old MOTs showing that it has covered some 1,200 miles in
the last 20 years. We are told that
it has continued to be kept well-serviced and lubricated during this
time, with invoices for a new headgasket set in 2011 and a new set of Blockley
tyres in 2015 which cost over £800.
As you can
see in the photos, this sporting Monaco Plus Ultra looks very pretty indeed and
has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site,
with healthy 50psi oil pressure. On offer here at an enticing guide price, it
will be a fun way to scoot around this summer and will be welcome at all manner
of VSCC events.
Consigned by James Dennison
– 07970 309907 – [email protected]