The ideal sport sedan is generally considered a BMW M5 in the modern era. Fast, nimble, powerful, and exclusive. Way before BMW decided to put a big engine in a midsize family sedan, Riley made the English equivalent. Svelte, stylish, lightweight, nimble, advanced (but with a healthy amount of tradition, thank you ash wood frame), and practical, the Kestrel Sprite was the M5 before the M5, in the prehistory of the automobile. This 1936 sport sedan can be found here on craigslist, thank you Chuck Foster for letting us know about it!
Credit where it’s due, the seller is honest about the condition of the car. The first sentence of the ad is “pictures lie.” That’s a noble stance to take on an advertisement for an 85-year-old English sport sedan. I use that term intentionally, too. It is a sport sedan. Motor Trend has an entertaining write-up about it, but the highlights are this: a sequential pre-selector four-speed gearbox, an advanced double overhead cam (in 1936!) four-cylinder engine, and knock-off wire wheels. Apparently, it’s said to run and drive well enough under its own power, but it “needs and deserves a full restoration.” They aren’t really specific about what it needs beyond paint, though, so it would be worth it to ask.
Its chassis can’t be seen clearly in any of the images, so rust might be one of the problems that need to be addressed. You can see glimpses of it in the boot here, but no pictures of the frame itself. Let’s talk about the boot for a minute. The sheer amount of leather straps make it look like this was designed with romantic weekend getaways and touring through the English countryside in mind. There are so many places to not only store but secure luggage that it puts modern SUVs to shame.
The inside is properly English. Acres of leather and wood paneling, accented by a full complement of tidy chrome rimmed gauges and bits of the wood frame poking through around the windows. The back seat looks like it could use a new cushion, or maybe it just is missing one from the factory. The Riley’s claim to fame is that it doesn’t have fame. I had never heard of a Riley before writing this article, but I have to say, I kind of love it, in no small part due to its rarity and quirkiness. Its sleek fastback design, advanced powertrain, conservative ash wood construction, and rarity combine to make this something that will turn heads at first glance and will continue to stoke thoughtful conversation with even the most casually interested people.
The engine is not an DOHC. The twin valve covers are deceiving.
There are 2 camshafts in the block.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/iZUww3qt6PYbwftWKypP0nqAzpxE6AG8ql_05jnuoJbakg79_1xvLdRiFtK5LN4_MLCQCoNJhNIQQvbCCQkYAc-zTTgq2qWlqSeY
ben, look up riley 9 imp…from old road & track…be blessed. grateful, prepared…
Friend Paul’s grandaughter is named Morgan Riley. Hmmm
But if someone buys it, will the new owner be living the life of Riley?
Termite much?
A friend had a wood chassis Morgan years ago and had it fumigated for termites, the result of a late night discussion in a bar.
Morgan’s all had a steel chassis (the part that the wheels and body attach to), and a wooden frame (the parts that the body panels were nailed to). Always misunderstood here in the US.
I know absolutely nothing of this car, but it is cute and reminds me a little of the Citroen from around the same era.
That looks really nice. The words “Tickford Airline Coupe” sprang to mind upon seeing it.
A pal of mine used to race his pal’s Riley special which was built up from parts; it was known as the ATBLO, which stood for “all the bits left over”.
“…aren’t really specific about what it needs …”
emerald ash borer got most the ash trees so no longer available. Gotta
go non-OEM…a tube frame – aahahahaa
I don’t know about you chaps but my idea of a romantic weekend in the English countryside does not involve leather straps. Each to their own
“Tyres are olde”
I love this seller’s sense of humour.
My ’39 MG SA was very much in this traditon. Underslung chassis, so front
floor was lower than the axels. Went around corners far better than American production car of the late 30’s, but, the skinny 19″ tires made for an easy drift, unintentionally, at times. It was well fit and finished, but this is even better, a step toward a Bentley or a Jag of the day.
IF the chassis is not rusted out, and, most of the ash is OK (do the doors open and close easily with good tolerances in the cracks) drive it and show it, if you did a frame off restoration you would be far underwater in labor costs.
And I don’t know what kind of ash the Brits used but there is still plenty of it in New England, although there is a blight of some kind which is very slowly killing them off. There is no problem in getting enough for this car – our old house had ash paneling and doors, custom made, in the late ’80’s.
Bet it has a preselector gearbox as described here
https://revivaler.com/1935-riley-124-imp-special/
Bob Post: Yes, it does have the preselector box. You can JUST see the lever to the right of the steering wheel. Those could flummox some drivers who were not used to them; I remember reading about Nuvolari’s driving an MG K3 Magnette in a race in Ireland, and he wound up driving the whole race in one gear (don’t remember which) and (I think) he won anyway.
Good write-up given the obscurity. Analogy with BMW is appropriate as Riley was a proudly independent family form, with strong competition success. The ERA racing car was spun off from Riley.
The Kestrel body is the most interesting of the Riley sedans, could also be had with a 6 cyl engine.
As noted above, ash frame is likely to cause most problems, but most mechanical patrs are available from the UK.
Even more appropriately, (or perhaps, ironically), BMW is the current owner of the Riley name and trademarks. BMW kept the Mini, Riley and Triumph names from the massive pile of marques they obtained after buying what had then been named as Rover Group, but which had once been known as British Leyland.
Riley ended up as part of this conglomerate as it was part of BMC, (The British Motor Corporation), which had itself been formed by the first corporate owner of Riley, The Nuffield Corporation, merging with their rival, The Austin Motor Company.
Nuffield owned Morris, M.G., Riley, Wolseley and S.U carburetters and Nuffield trucks and tractors and had purchased Riley from the Riley brothers in 1938.
The other marques left over from British Leyland are now owned by Tata of India (Jaguar, Rover, Land-Rover, Range- Rover, Alvis, Daimler, Lanchester, Standard, VanDenPlas) and S.A.I.C. of China,(The rest).
There was a very well-kept one of these at an all-European car show our AROC Tennessee chapter sponsored in Nashville about 30 years ago. Had to work at avoiding leaving drool marks … It was SO English and SO gorgeous, in a very calm and unassertive way. I never found the owner, but Tennessee being Tennessee the Brits outnumbered all of us, at least in the Cool Vehicle stakes. Up to and including a Scott Flying Squirrel motorcycle!
This Riley would make an excellent project for the seasoned restorer, and an excellent learning experience for someone with the desire and ability to be one of those. SO glad it’s out of my reach!
Probably a “Finest Hour car” i.e. it was in Britain during June ’40 to June ’41 when the British acquitted themselves from all their sordid history by standing alone between civilization and a new dark age. Hail Winston! Hail the UK! This Bohunk salutes you!
Wish it was left hand drive, and it would be mine!
The engines oozes patina!
There is wonderful support in the UK: https://blue-diamond-services.co.uk/
There is wonderful support, from the UK: https://blue-diamond-services.co.uk/
I remember a Riley like this during the 2nd World War. The owner would take his wife to visit her parents who lived 3 doors from my grandparents. The most memorable aspect I recall is the sound of the exhaust and if I sit back and close my eyes I can still hear that loud, crackle of that unique exhaust. I seem to remember some Rileys had a fabric body.
HSA
Or buy it on Ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224567200151?hash=item34493f8997:g:98wAAOSwdpFg~ECR
Located in Northern Virginia