Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
Chassis No: G17033
Mot Expiry: None

Once that of a proud UK manufacturer, the Riley trademark is these days owned by BMW and may or may not ever grace a motorcar again. The amazing Riley story, however, dates back to 1890, when the Bonnick Cycle Company of Coventry was taken over by William Riley Junior and renamed the Riley Cycle Company in 1896. The company's first internal combustion-engined vehicles - a tricycle and a quadricycle - saw the light of day in 1899. However, it took until 1907 for the first proper four-wheeled Rileys to reach production. Light, two-seaters, they were powered by 1034cc V-twin engines. Significant changes occurred in 1913, with the Riley Motor Manufacturing Company taking over car production in a new factory adjacent to the Riley Engine Company and the Riley Cycle Company changing its name to Riley (Coventry) Ltd and concentrating on the manufacture of detachable wheels. It was the Riley 9 range of models produced with a wide choice of body styles between 1926 and 1938 that really put the company on the map, however, which with its unique 42bhp 1087cc twin-camshaft engine soon found success in competition, further boosting the order book. During 1931, the Gamecock variant became the company's prime two-seat Tourer. It was an immediate success, with the 'double-dropped' chassis helping to produce a sleek, low body design quite unlike anything else available at the time.

Anybody seeking an all-embracing project for those dark winter evenings need look no further than this 1932 Riley Gamecock two-seater Tourer, which has been stored for very many years and clearly now requires a total restoration before taking to the Queen's highway once more. The vendor informs us that the assortment of parts includes "a Special Series engine, 'Silent Third Gear' manual transmission and pair of SU carburettors". Indeed, we are given to understand that the only sizable items missing are the windscreen, bonnet, radiator and front lights. Riley 9s were one of the most successful light cars produced by the British motor industry between the wars and there would surely be much satisfaction in bringing one of the rare Gamecock examples back to life. Prepare a suitable Riley-sized space in the garage right now!