Description
ALC 21 was commissioned by Ian Standing and built by Steve White this car was built as a replica of a Thompson and Taylor prototype Brooklands that they were designing for Riley. The chassis was shortened and the rear legs swept in with the addition of a tube to pick up the rear spring shackles. Like the T&T car the seats are set between and below the chassis members to keep the body and centre of gravity as low as possible. The engine and gearbox were lowered and moved back in the chassis, the torque and prop shaft shortened to suit. The radiator was shortened and fixed behind the front axle line, and the engine fitted with a water pump to assist cooling.
The brakes are large Allfin and stabilising rods which are very effective. The engine is tuned for fast road use and benefits from a merlin crankshaft and crankcase. Riley register conrods and high compression pistons, Newman camshafts with Riley Sprite profiles. The flywheel has been significantly lightened and has a helical gearbox, twin SU’s, four branch exhaust manifold, with the spare wheel housed in the tail section.
The car is fully sorted and is much admired. With a current VSCC Buff form and has been used for hillclimbs and sprints by my daughter, who has owned ‘Rupert’ for nine years. The car has been raced at VSCC events and lapped Mallary in 1:17 and Donnington Park in 2:02.
