Description
WELL, well. The Riley 1. 5. Or to give its full and official title, the Riley One Point Five. I have been trading now as Martin Howey Classics for the past 26 years, although prior to that I was an old car nut for as far back as can remember. I am 70 now and I say - as I have done in countless adverts over the years - that the Riley One Point Five is quite probably my favorite UK classic car saloon of all time!
It's no Jaguar, nor is it a Bentley nor a Triumph Vitesse as a random example. No, it is the compact sports saloon built by BMC under the Riley umbrella. A twin-carb flying machine (for its time) with that stunning interior. Loved it as a car-mad child and I still love it now.
Right, that's enough I hear you shout. So, moving on. This is a 1962 example. Solid underneath, pretty damned good on the body and paint with only some surface imperfections here and there. And, as for the interior, well it is absolutely superb. The front seats have been re-trimmed in correct spec red leather and the rear seat may be (may be) original. Hard to tell. She is on the button and drives magnificently. One of my photos shows that wonderful dashboard I mention with the car idling and up to temperature. You will note the revs at idle, the water temp where it ought to be and the super oil pressure there alongside it.
In the large history file I have found copies of the original 1962 reg book listing 1st owner a Mrs Erskine in Edinburgh, who passed it on to another lady, Mrs Grant of Livingstone in 1982. The latest V5c lists only seven previous owners which I think is correct . New V5c’s don’t list previous owners but from a pile of bills and mots I can find these 5 names and estimate roughly when they owned KSY204.
One of these owners must have been an enthusiast as it has quite a few improvements like electronic ignition , servo brakes, anti-roll bar etc. Suspension, I suspect, has been renewed and you can barely hear the ever so sweet engine. The front wings are fibre glass which does not bother me and probably won't bother many who understand what a great driving machine the Riley 1. 5 really is.
I can also assist with delivery and so please contact me for a quote. Many thanks, Martin the details below)
