Description
H&H Classics Auction Sale Imperial War Museum, Duxford, 19 October 2022
Registration No: IOM-Reg
Chassis No: HC1672CV
MOT: Exempt
Provided with some £5, 500 worth of improvement since entering into current ownership in 2018
Subject to a full restoration during the 1990s
Accompanied by a history file that includes many previous MOT certificates
Mk. 1 example finished in ‘triple Black’
Offered at No Reserve from the late Robert Riding’s Estate, the vast majority of which has been left to charity with the RNLI as the largest beneficiary
The Vitesse was launched in the April of 1962 and was effectively a big-engined version of Triumph's four-cylinder Herald range, based on the same backbone chassis. Like the Herald, it was styled by Giovanni Michelotti, who managed to redeploy most of the Herald body panels while giving the newcomer its own distinctive character, courtesy of a slanted four-headlamp front end. Power initially came from a 1596cc version of the family's straight-six Vanguard engine, though this was enlarged to 1998cc in 1966, when a more robust gearbox and better disc/ drum brakes were also installed. The two-door Vitesse was available in both Saloon and Convertible guises and 51, 212 examples of the model had been produced by the time it was usurped by the all new Dolomite in 1971.
Manufactured in 1968, the Mk. 1 example offered was supplied new to the United Kingdom, being first registered on the 20th of September that year. Fitted with the 1998cc six-cylinder engine allied to the four-speed manual transmission, the Triumph is understood to have resided on the mainland UK until 2018 when purchased by the late-Robert Furniss Riding as an addition to his private collection. Offered from estate at No Reserve, the vast majority of which has been left to charity with the RNLI as the largest beneficiary. Showing a recorded mileage of 29, 636 miles, the Triumph was subject to a complete restoration during the mid-1990s, with the Vitesse presented in striking ‘triple Black’ with Black paintwork, a Black interior and hood, and riding on Black minilite-style wheels.
Understood to have had the wooden trim renewed before entering the collection, since the purchase by Mr. Riding, the Vitesse has benefitted from a replacement water pump and cooling system renovation; new front brakes and wheel bearings; suspension refresh; bodywork repairs; hood fitment amending; a new stainless steel exhaust system and servicing totalling some £5, 500. Accompanied by a history file that contains a collection of invoices including the recent invoices for work completed; a reproduction handbook; over twenty previous MOT certificates from between 1984 and 2018; UK tax discs dating back to 1990; a copy of a previous V5C document and the Isle of Man registration document.
About Robert Furniss Riding:
Born in 1940, the only child of only children parents, Bob was educated at Stockport Grammar School then read natural sciences at Christ Church, Oxford. He joined William Deacon’s Bank, and had a stellar ascent through it and its subsequent iterations ending up as Group Treasurer of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He grasped the opportunity of early retirement in 1990 and moved to the Isle of Man where he had been left a house by an aunt. But Bob was far from being inactive, throwing himself into the local community and taking on the turn around of a local private bank as its Executive Chairman.
Sailing had been a preoccupation during his time in the City, but on coming to the Isle of Man, Bob switched his energies and focus to collecting “quality cars” – principally the products of Cricklewood, Derby and Crewe, but with some maverick exceptions such as Maserati and Caterham. Daimler’s and Lanchester’s also featured, and he had to move to a large country house to find garaging for the ever growing collection. His cars were regularly campaigned at rallies for the appropriate marque and were often deserved winners of various trophies. He also got involved in the relevant enthusiast clubs, usually ending up as Chairman – and his list of appointments included the Chairmanship of the Manx Classic Car Club and the Manx Motor Racing Club.
Bob was always a keen supporter of local charities, particularly maritime and those involving young people, and many will have cause to remember with gratitude his generosity and his apparently bottomless well of technical knowledge on “quality cars”, so freely shared. Bob left his Estate predominantly to Charity with the RNLI being the Residuary Beneficiary. Thus, in effect, the entire proceeds of sale of the car collection will be received by the RNLI.
