Description
1929 Riley Nine vintage special with ownership known from 1960.
A Riley Nine 2 seat open car originally built in 1928 as a Monaco being first registered January 1929.
This is the earlier model with 5 stud axles and has 2 rear mounted spare wheels. Being an early model it has the rare and attractive brass caps on the radiator surround and fuel tank. The engine has been fitted with twin 1" SU carbs, 4 branch manifold with stainless exhaust and starts easily.
I have owned the car since 2011 and have used her regularly for VSCC trials and general road use.
There exists some photographic history with the car which is fairly well known in Riley and VSCC circles.
In my ownership a number of improvements and modifications have been carried out:
Engine balanced and rebuilt by Vibration Free including;
New white metal bottom end by Formhalls Vintage Engineering
New camshafts and bushes by Riley specialist Keith Pointing
Riley Register pistons
Distributor conversion by Brooklands Enginecraft
Brooklands replica water pump by Vintage Riley spares
New Kingpins and bushes
New Crown Wheel, pinion and thrust bearings by Vintage Riley Spares (standard ratio)
Hartford dampers re-bushed and new wooden discs by Vintage and Classic Shock Absorbers
New Riley Register valve springs
4 new Longstone tyres and inner tubes last season
2 new Michelin trials tyres and inner tubes this season
New rear brake shoes
New fuel pump and filter king regulator
New Swiftune condenser
Seats professionally recovered last season
I have always followed a regular oil change regime using Millers oils.
There is a tonneau cover, a number of spares including steering components, radiator, pistons, fuel pump, an original Riley factory manual, Original parts book, a working copy manual and reference book.
The car drives well and is comfortable. I am 6ft+ and there is plenty of leg room. There is a large and useful storage space behind the seats. The car stops in a straight line with rod operated brakes.
There is a remote gear change for the 4 speed manual gearbox, navigators light, brake lights and indicators are fitted and the headlights have been fitted with later type bulbs for better night driving. A fire extinguisher is also fitted.
