Registration No: GW 3228
Chassis No: 6016255
MOT: Exempt

• 1 of only 52 examples that are thought to survive
• Subject to an eight-year restoration upon entering previous ownership in 1996
• Understood to have had just five owners from new, two being from the same family
• Accompanied by a history file documenting the restoration

Introduced in 1932, the Riley 9 Gamecock featured the marque's latest Plus Ultra underslung chassis and jewel-like 1.1-litre four-cylinder engine. Fed by twin-carburettors, the latter was allied to four-speed manual transmission and promised a 70mph-plus top speed. Sporting a lightweight aluminium body, large diameter drum brakes, all-round semi-elliptic leaf springs and Duplex Andre adjustable shock absorbers, the model retains good road manners to this day. Undeniably handsome, the Gamecock was summed up by Motor Sport as ‘a neat and handy vehicle which combined a lively performance with freedom from constant tuning'. No stranger to competition, a three-strong Works team won a prestigious Coupe des Alpes (up to 1100cc class) on the 1932 International Alpine Rally. Only in production for two years, just fifty-two (or so) 9 Gamecocks are known to have survived.

Manufactured in 1932, chassis 6016255 is understood to have been first registered to a vet in Colchester. Fitted with the 1.1-litre straight-four engine fed by twin Zenith carburettors and mated to the four-speed manual gearbox, the Riley is finished in Dark Green with Black arches and running boards, along with complementary Green leather interior upholstery and a Black hood. Interestingly, the Riley is understood to have been specified from new with Marshal headlamps with incorporated sidelights.

Understood to have been retained by the original owner and one subsequent family member until 1973, the Riley passed to its third owner and was placed in dry storage from 1973 until 1996. Restoration work began in 1996 with the Gamecock being stripped for renovation before the project stalled. Purchased by the previous owner in 2008, the Riley was subject to an eight-year comprehensive restoration which included a replacement ash frame, chassis refresh, an engine overhaul including refurbished carburettors, body repairs and repainting, re-cored radiator, shock absorbers refurbishment, new wiring loom, reupholstery and a new hood. Uprated with hydraulic brakes and an electric fan, ‘GW 3228’ had been used on the Scottish 500 and a tour of Ireland since completion.

Entering current ownership earlier this year, the vendor is now looking to re-home the Gamecock in order to make way for a four-seater pre-war Riley. While in his ownership, however, the Riley has been subject to around £1,300 worth of improvement which has included a stainless-steel exhaust, cooper fuel lines and a replacement fuel pump, brake fettling and servicing including new spark plugs. ‘GW 3228’ is offered with a history file that documents the restoration and work completed under the vendor’s ownership.

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