Description
Coming to auction at the Castle Combe Autumn Classic on Saturday 12th September, full catalogue now online, search Dore & Rees Motoring for further info.
1930 Riley Nine Biarritz De Luxe Saloon
Registration Number: OF 4753
Chassis Number: 607148
Recorded Mileage: TBA
- Charming vintage sporting saloon
- Subject of various restoration and improvement works
This charming Riley Nine Biarritz benefits from an unusually interesting history, remaining in single-family ownership from 1967 until 2000, during which time the coachwork was restored and recovered. The Riley was subsequently used for local vintage events and road runs through to the mid-1980s, ensuring that it remained an active and much-enjoyed example rather than simply being placed into storage.
In 2000, the Riley was acquired by David Ryder-Richardson, under whose custodianship it was reinvigorated, maintained and regularly used for almost two decades. The Riley was subsequently acquired by the current vendor through Mark Elder of The Motorshed in 2019. The present owner purchased the Biarritz specifically to participate in the Vintage Sports-Car Club's Light Car and Edwardian Section events; the Riley proved itself a capable and dependable touring companion.
Indeed, the car has been driven from Wiltshire to Wales on several occasions in order to compete, demonstrating the practical usability of this diminutive vintage machine. The vendor reports that it cruises happily at approximately 50 mph, with no problems encountered during these longer journeys. During the past seven years the Riley has benefited from a useful programme of maintenance and improvement, intended to ensure that it remains reliable and ready for continued vintage use. Works undertaken include a rebuilt magneto by Blue Diamond, new carpets, replacement of some upholstery, five new tyres, new battery, new bulkhead, an electric cooling fan and replacement petrol tank.
The work has been undertaken with usability in mind, the car is described as being in good overall condition. For a vintage Riley, its demonstrated ability to undertake substantial road journeys is particularly appealing. The Nine's combination of modest dimensions, spirited performance and straightforward mechanical construction makes it ideally suited to the many events organised by the VSCC, while its compact saloon body provides considerably greater practicality than the more familiar open sporting versions.
With its fascinating history, rare Biarritz coachwork, established VSCC credentials and useful programme of recent improvements, OF 4753 represents a delightful and increasingly unusual survivor of one of Britain's most important light sporting cars of the Vintage era.
