1936 Riley Merlin Special

Lot details
Registration No: KSL 484
Chassis No: 66M 1121
Mot Expiry: Oct 2004

The Riley Nine, designed by Percy Riley with input from his brother Stanley, was launched at the 1926 London Motor Show. The Nine was so called because of its 9hp 4-cylinder engine of 1087cc capacity with twin camshafts mounted high in the cylinder block operating overhead valves by short pushrods and its 'PR' Percy Riley designed cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers. Indeed, this basic layout was retained by the Coventry marque for their own engines, which they manufactured until 1957.
This 1936-dated Riley was rebuilt in the style of a Lynx 4-seater tourer by a previous owner, employing not only original chassis and running gear, but also several components from the original Merlin body. It has been fitted with the factory ' Special' Riley 9hp four fitted with twin SUs.
According to the entrant, this extremely characterful open Riley is very sound throughout, drives well and shows no engine or 4-speed preselector gearbox or transmission faults. Both oil pressure and water temperature remains constant, he says. Most of the bodywork was resprayed and new tyres fitted during previous ownership. Indeed, body and red over black paintwork are said still to be very good order and black interior good. Supplied with the car are a new speedo cable and an original Riley 9 instruction book.
Characterful prewar Riley Specials, like this, encapsulate those halcyon days when open motoring could really be enjoyed...unrecorded by taxing speed cameras!
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle was driven to today's sale.