1936 Riley Kestrel Four Door Fastback Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: ANP 999
Chassis No: S66K1694
Mot Expiry: Feb 2008

"We make far too many models of course. But then we have a pretty fertile design department, and we like making nice, interesting cars" (Riley Advertising, September 1936).
Introduced in 1926, the Riley 9hp range heralded the beginning of a golden era for the Coventry firm that lasted until its acquisition by the Nuffield Organisation during 1938. While the efforts of Freddie Dixon and others helped to establish a formidable competition record, the road cars won acclaim for offering performance levels that belied their relatively small engine capacities. Launched in late 1932, the 9hp Kestrel was based around a low-slung ladder frame chassis equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel drum brakes. A compact, fastbacked four-door saloon, it was powered by the marque's jewel-like 1087cc 'twin-cam' four-cylinder engine allied to four-speed manual transmission. Distinguished from its brethren by a lower roofline and twin horns, the Kestrel was bodied in aluminium over a timber frame. Boasting a surprisingly spacious interior trimmed with good quality hides, thick carpets and plenty of wood veneer, it remained in production until 1936. Registered on the 11th May 1936 to a Mrs. E.M. Whittaker, who strangely only kept it until the October that year, this rare and highly desirable Special Series 66k four door fastback saloon has had just six further known owners since. Following the short first ownership the second, a Mr. C.F. Dearing, made up for it by keeping the car until 1965 whereupon, after passing though three more owners, it arrived with Richard 'Dickie' Adams in 1996. He started a 4000 hour restoration which took 30 months and it's first outing was to a Riley meeting on New Years Day 1999. It covered about 3000 miles before a piston failed whereupon the engine was rebuilt by Riley expert Barrie Gillies with new high compression pistons, a block twin exhaust cam conversion for increased performance, the radiator was modified for the fitment of a temperature gauge and a stainless steel exhaust was fitted - all less than 250 miles ago.
We are informed by the vendor that ANP 999 was restored to the highest standards, as befits an aircraft engineer, and as testament to this it received several awards at Riley and other events. The upholstery has been carefully preserved and the trim, opening glass and sunroof are all excellent. The inflatable airbag seat cushions were remanufactured, the chassis was galvanised and zinc sprayed, all the rust was removed, all the rotten woodwork was replaced and it was rewired.
A delightful car that performs well with an extremely good ride, an excellent steering response but it will benefit from use and settling in, especially now that it has more power.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle now comes with MOT and Road Fund Licence until February 2008.