Lot Ended
Description
In
the previous 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; a veteran of many events; 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 numerous 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.
The previous owner’s father acquired the Monaco 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 used it regularly
but rather less frequently, six old MOTs showing that it has only covered around
1,200 miles in the last 20 years. It 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.
Our vendor acquired the Monaco via Brightwells in June last year
and has enjoyed running around in the car, being so bitten by the Riley bug that
he has now bought a Lynx 9hp tourer. With not enough space to keep both of
them, he has decided to pass the Monaco on to someone else.
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. Aside from all the invoices and photos, it comes with a good
amount of technical literature to help keep it fighting fit for many more
decades to come.
On offer here at an enticing guide price, it will
be a fun way to scoot around over the remaining summer months, with room for all
the family, and will be welcome at all manner of VSCC
events.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907
– james.dennison@brightwells.com