1931 Riley Nine Gamecock

Description

Rare 'Plus Ultra' model with 'Special Series' twin-carb engine; fully restored in the mid-1980s and one owner since; only 3,000 miles on rebuilt engine; veteran of many European tours; wonderful condition; driven 60 miles to the sale 

Launched in 1926, the immortal Nine not only made Riley one of the most respected names in a nation already blessed with many fine marques, it was also considered by LTC Rolt to be the most important automotive landmark of the Twenties. Hugely popular with the sporting drivers of the day, it has remained a firm favourite in VSCC circles ever since.

In September 1931 Riley launched a new version of its 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 capitalise on the sporting nature of the chassis, a new two-seat tourer was launched which was coyly described in the Riley catalogue as: "In no sense a sports car but a car that makes an irresistible appeal to sportsmen".

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 useful boot capable of swallowing all the luggage a couple might need on a short touring holiday. Behind the seats was further stowage space for golf clubs, tennis racquets or whatnot, hence Riley's reference to sportsmen (no women in those days!).

Powered by a ‘Special Series’ twin-carb version of the marque’s jewel-like 1,087cc twin-cam four allied to four-speed manual transmission, the Gamecock was widely praised for its sporting road manners and could exceed 70mph. It remained in production until 1934 by which time around 1,500 had been sold.

First registered in London in December 1931, this early Gamecock has the three-pane split windscreen which was replaced by a single pane in the later cars. It comes with no early history but a green logbook shows that by 1971 it was owned by a Mr D Hird of Bradford and it remained in Yorkshire until our vendor acquired it way back in October 1980. At this point the rear of the body had been modified to convert into a four-seater and our vendor ran around in it like this for a few years until the engine suffered a big end failure on a motorway in Holland in c.1985.

This prompted him to treat the car to a full body-off restoration which was to take over two years to complete. He also took this opportunity to have it returned to its correct two-seater body style, and rather than make patchwork repairs to the existing ash frame, he had a new one expertly made from scratch by Alan Clear, to which new aluminium body panels were also fiited, again expertly made by John Pitney of Bracknell.

The vendor points out that it has original-type ‘aerofoil’ sponsons rather than the running boards often fitted by restorers as the original streamlined units are very difficult and expensive to fabricate. He also points out that the luggage locker in the tail is slightly narrower and deeper than the original, which had proved tricky to get luggage in and out of. As he wanted to use the car for long-distance touring, he elected to have a bit more space created behind the front seats instead, which reduced the size of the locker but increased the luggage capacity and made it much easier to access.

When he acquired the car it came with a spare 'Plus Ultra' chassis (number 601 6359) which turned out to be in much better condition than the original chassis (number 601 5746) so, with the agreement of the Vehicle Registration Office in Cardiff, this was swapped during the restoration and the V5 was amended with the new chassis number.  

All the mechanical aspects were restored as required, including a full engine rebuild in 1986. The interior was retrimmed by Gibson & Turner of Newport, Gwent, including black leather seat covers, and they also made a new canvas hood and sidescreens.

The car was then used extensively, including many Continental tours, some of them recorded on a dozen or so rally plaques in the luggage locker neatly incorporated into the tail of the car. No fewer than 28 old MOTs show that the car has in fact covered just under 40,000 miles since the restoration was completed 40 years ago.

There are also various invoices for more recent work carried out and new parts fitted, including a new clutch in 1999; magneto rebuilt in 2006; new kingpins in 2007; new wiper motor in 2010.

More importantly, the engine was fully rebuilt again in 2011 including a rebore by South Cerney Engineering, a new set of Omega pistons and Newman cams and it has only covered around 3,000 miles since, mainly on regular trips to Prescott and Riley Register events.

The magneto has also been rebuilt again by Salmons of Burnham-on-Crouch, and all the brakes were re-lined about 150 miles ago so they are still bedding in. It also comes with a coil conversion (never used), the original Gamecock radiator mascot plus a plain one for when the car is left unattended and two spare wheels and tyres. Other documentation includes maintenance manuals, parts catalogues, period road tests, technical literature and books on the Riley marque.

Driven some 60 miles to the sale without drama, this rare and expertly restored Riley has been driving nicley on site and still looks wonderful some 40 years since it was rebuilt. The paint finish is particularly impressive which is always the sign of a job well done.

Believed to be one of only around 40 surviving, this much-loved Gamecock is only reluctantly for sale due to the advancing years of its long-term owner. On offer here at a very modest guide price (the last one we sold made over £30k in 2011) it now only needs an enthusiastic new owner who can continue to preserve it for future generations to admire.

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]