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Lot 98

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Lot details

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Registration No: VX 9166
Chassis No: 6011879
MOT: Exempt

Very rare Biarritz example, being 1 of only 12 roadworthy survivors believed to remain
Previously in the ownership of highly regarded founder of marque specialists Blue Diamond Riley Services (Ian Gladstone)
Pleasingly original example displaying delightful patina
Subject to some £4,500 worth of improvement with Blue Diamond Riley Services in 2021
A MkIV Plus example, benefitting from the significant improvements that this model generation of Riley Nine was supplied with
A past entrant into and suitable for V.S.C.C events

It is no exaggeration to say that the appearance of the 1100cc 9hp Riley at the Olympia Show October 1926 revolutionised concepts of light car design - its lower build, outstanding handling and good brakes, the products of careful detail design, were matched by the strong, light and advanced engine, which developed remarkable power for its modest size, and began a chain of development that continued until well after WWII and also spawned the E.R.A. racing voiturettes, the most successful British racing cars of their time. Breathing efficiently through hemispherical combustion chambers and 45-degree overhead valves opened by short pushrods from twin high-set camshafts, the unit simply wanted to rev, and permitted a relatively low rear axle ratio that in turn gave good acceleration. The 4-speed gearbox was a joy to use. Apart from a handful of obscure, low-volume specialised sports cars, no other ‘light car’, produced in similar quantities, offered anything comparable.

A thorough reworking of the Nine came with the MkIV, notably incorporating a new cable braking system with larger drums, and heavier in-house produced six-stud hubs and axles, replaced the previously outsourced five-stud items. The range of bodies was further extended in 1929, with the Biarritz saloon (1929-1932) added to the line-up, as a de-luxe version of the Monaco. For the 1930 production year, the MkIV Plus saw further development, with chassis improvements (lowering the car), a newly designed radiator shell, the movement of the fuel tank moved to the rear of the chassis and the adoption of an Autovac.

This charming MkIV Plus Biarritz, one of fewer than 500 believed produced, was manufactured in 1930, being registered new on the 2^nd of January 1931 to a Ms D. Jerram of Essex. Remaining in Essex until 1972, the Biarritz was then known to have been acquired by long-term owner Vivyan Bates Esq. of Haverfordwest in 1973. Maintained by well-renowned marque specialists Blue Diamond Services during Mr. Bates Esq. ownership, with invoices on file, ‘VX 9166’ clearly appealed to the Riley aficionado and Blue Diamond founder, Ian Gladstone, as in 2001 the Biarritz was purchased by Mr and Mrs Gladstone.

Extensively improved while in the care of the Gladstones, invoices on file relate to over £4,000 worth of expenditure. Both comprehensive engine and gearbox overhauls were completed in their custodianship, with a close ratio conversion on 2^nd and 3^rd gears incorporated for increased usability. More recently, the Riley has benefitted from a dynamo overhaul, new regulator, and column switch refurbishment in 2017. Since being acquired by the vendor in 2020, the Nine has been mechanically enhanced with £4,500 expenditure with Blue Diamond Riley Specialists. The brakes received an overhaul, as did the wheel hubs, the carburettor was refreshed, fettling to the engine, and attention to the starting equipment, all documented in the history file.

Accompanied by a history file that contains a collection of invoices, buff-continuation log book, a selection of MOTs and tax discs, original instruction book and current V5C document. Finished in Crimson Lake with a Black roof, running boards and bonnet, the pleasingly original interior is in a complementing Chestnut Brown leather. The 1.1-litre straight-four engine is allied to the four-speed manual transmission, with the originality maintained under the bonnet, with ‘VX 9166’ retaining its single Solex carburettor, Autovac, and B.T.H. magneto. Displaying a real charm and character, this a scarce opportunity to acquire a very rare survivor of the Biarritz saloon, with less than twelve roadworthy examples believed to remain.

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