14th Jun, 2023 13:00

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
Lot 15
 

1931 Riley Nine Fabric Tourer

Sold for £13,500

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: KJ 583
Chassis No: 6012287
MOT: Exempt

  • In progress restoration since 1975 across two separate owners and now very close to completion
  • Presents with attractive Tourer coachwork
  • Subject to much restoration work with Riley specialists Brooklands Autocraft in 2021
  • A MkIV Plus example, benefitting from the significant improvements that this model generation of Riley Nine was supplied with

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. 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. Chassis number 6012287 was supplied new via Barty Motors Ltd to a F. H. Ling Esq., being registered new on the 29th of April 1931, and is reputed to have been fitted with Fabric Tourer coachwork from new, with the likely coachbuilders being the Midlands Motor Body Co. A printed copy of the original buff logbook suggests that the Riley spent time in Yorkshire, Devon, Middlesex and Hertfordshire during the 1950s, before it is understood to have been taken off the road during the 1960s.

Known to have been in the ownership of a Mr. Adolphus Knight Esq. from 1958, he sold the Riley to well-known and respected Riley man, John Baker (affectionally known as ‘Johnny Wiskers’) in 1965. Steadily restored over the years between John Baker and subsequently the vendor, the Riley has benefitted from a full ash frame restoration and a new body built by Keith Stimpson, with repainting and a new fabric covering by Harry Frazer. A full engine and gearbox overhauls, electric system restoration, interior renewal with new Red leather upholstery and new tyres, with some of the works recently completed by Riley specialists Brooklands Autocraft cover over £1,600. Invoices of file document over £8,700 worth of expenditure with the full restoration cost estimated to be in the region of £30,000. Sadly, offered now due to ill health, but very close to completion, the Riley requires final fettling, weather equipment and door cards manufacturing, with the fabric required for the door cards accompanying, as well as a hood pattern. Offered with a history file that contains a large collection of invoices and information documents on Riley Nines, ‘KJ 583’ is a tempting project that is very close to being back on the road.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 14th Jun, 2023

Established in 1993, H&H has sold some of the world's most significant motorcars and motorcycles over the past 30 years. Trusted by over 75,000 clients worldwide, we are the longest established auction house of our kind in Europe and the only one owned and managed by its employees. 

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars to be held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Cambridgeshire. 

Auction Venue  Valuations for Sale View Catalogue

Register to Bid  Order a Catalogue

 

Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our website, by telephone and commission. 

Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door. 

To enquire about entering your classic or performance car into the auction please call our sales office on 01925 210035, email sales@HandH.co.uk or click the Get A Valuation button.

All our professional valuations are complimentary and without obligation.

To take part in the live online bidding please click 'Register to Bid | Sign In' at the top of the page

 

Viewing

Tuesday 13th June 2023 from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 14th June 2023 from 9am

View all lots in this sale

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Quality and quantity represented at mammoth classic motorcycle auction
Quadrophenia album scooter with links to Pete Townsend and Liam Gallagher up for auction
H&H Classics last Cambridgeshire auction in 2024 sees ‘star’ results
Ducati delight as six superb examples from one collection go under the hammer
German engineering and style showcased at classic car auction
Norton’s first F1R ever produced up for auction
Best of British heads impressive collection of 160 classics for auction
Exciting new premises are close to hand for H&H Classics
X-press yourself…Jaguar purchased by Madonna could be yours to cherish
Oldest known surviving Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) car heads to auction
James Bond’s Vanquish available to ‘Drive Another Day’
Chalky’s actual Lambretta which featured in Quadrophenia heads for auction
Automobilia auction raises more than £194,000 with all 329 lots sold
Entire catalogue offered without reserve in one-off automobilia auction
Impressive results at latest H&H Classics auction
Dozens of ‘no-reserve’ classics head to auction
Recently restored Audi Quattro press car heads to auction
Classic motorcycle auction highlights buoyant market
Rare barn find stars in classic motorcycle auction
Highly original Jaguar SS100 flies away at Duxford sale
Modified classics add a twist to H&H’s next motorcycle sale
Century of motoring history represented at H&H auction
World’s biggest production pick-up truck roars to auction
Mercedes-Benz 500SL delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss heads to auction
Cars from the 1910s to the 2010s head to auction for Buxton sale
H&H’s motorcycle sales off to a flying start in 2024 with market-leading 88 percent sales rate
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale