1937 Riley 15/6 Kestrel
Believed to be the most original example left in existence

Registration No: AWS 382
Chassis No: 47K3177
MOT: Exempt

• Believed to be the most original example of the nine 15/6 Kestrels believed left in existence
• Fastidiously maintained throughout the current ownership
• Offered with extensive history file including two buff log books
• Used regularly by the current owner who is a member within the Riley Register
• Recently featured in The Automobile magazine

Among the prettiest saloons fielded by any manufacturer pre-WW2, Riley’s Six-Light Kestrel was an Art Deco masterpiece. Powered by a ‘twin cam’ 1726cc straight-six engine (based on Percy Riley’s famous 9, modified by Hugh Rose and associated with ERA) mated to an Armstrong-Siddeley built four speed Wilson preselector gearbox, the 15/6 Kestrel was reputedly capable of 80mph and was the last six cylinder Riley. Only nine 15/6 Kestrels are thought to have survived due to the ravages of time and special builders.

First registered on the 21^st May 1937 as ‘AWS 382’, this rare 15/6 Kestrel is believed to have been supplied new to Mr H W Haldane of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is believed that he would keep ‘AWS 382’ until 1947, and the second buff continuation logbook records that it was purchased by Stephen Wallis of Palmerston Place Lane. In 1955, W.A Angell acquired the 15/6 from Edinburgh Motor Engineering Co Ltd and he would own the car for the next 59 years, covering only minimal mileage in that period.

Fast forward to 2014, the Kestrel was discovered and purchased by Riley Register member Duncan Whyte who immediately recognised that this car was significantly well-preserved and conducted a full mechanical overhaul with a view to preserve as much originality as possible. The engine was overhauled by marque specialist Ian MacFarlane which included new white metal bearings and the fitment of ‘Sprite’ specification camshafts from Kent Cams. When back on the road, ‘AWS 382’ became wildly recognised as 'the most original Kestrel left in existence' and has won awards at events for this attribute.

The vendor, who is a senior member of Riley Register also, purchased the rare Saloon in 2020 and during his ownership, he has become well known for using it extensively for many Riley events. In 2021, esteemed motoring magazine The Automobile compiled an article about the car, in which it was positively described. Within his ownership, the vendor has replaced most of the ignition system to aid good-running, and describes the car as being in ‘very good to excellent’ mechanical fettle. He has advised the only thing he personally feels necessary to do would be to replace the original wiring loom. Confidently described as a ‘true connoisseur’s Riley’, the original leatherwork remains very much intact, along with the original rear window blind and stringing.

Now offered to market, as the vendor has other Rileys that require a substantial amount of his time, this is an excellent opportunity for any collector to own a true time-warp that simply could not be replicated.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430