Description
1925 Riley 11. 9 Two-Door Sports Tourer
£26, 400 ONO
Promoted when new as “at once a “sports” or a luxurious closed-in all-season car” this is an original-bodied two door sports tourer and one of only two known to survive although various replicas can be found. Arguably the prettiest of the vintage Rileys, the 1925 catalogue stresses “In design and finish it is remarkably handsome and has been the object of admiration in many quarters. The body is beautifully streamlined, with soft and graceful curves…. A sloping ‘V’ screen is fitted together with an adjustable glass rear screen and this, in conjunction with the compact and close-lying hood, make up a strikingly handsome and refined-looking car.”
First registered on the 21st September 1925 the car’s first post war owner in 1948 was the well-known VSCC stalwart Mr Max Williamson of Stroud. In his care it eventually became the outright winner of the Riley Register National 'Concours' in 1958 and in 1961 was sold to Mr Ken Gilling, the then Riley Register President. In 1964 he passed it on to a well-known Riley collector and restorer who totally rebuilt/ restored the car over the following fifty years. Interestingly, the Riley engine was during this time fitted with an uprated 1927-spec camshaft, steel crankshaft and ‘turbulent combustion’ cylinder head with flat pistons on the Ricardo principle. These improvements were implemented in the 20’s by Riley to give the 11. 9 engine a considerable boost in power.
Although the Riley was restored, it was used very sparingly until in 2013 the car changed hands again and made a long awaited return to the Riley Register summer rally where I first saw it – at the time I owned a replica version. I was finally able to buy the car 5 years ago in 2018. Although still in outwardly superb condition it had suffered from under-use in several respects and I have since then commissioned a full engine rebuild including new pistons etc. I have also had the radiator re-cored using the correct methods and materials and have replaced all the bearings in the gearbox. Receipts for all this work are of course included as part of the car’s comprehensive history file.
The car has a delightful patina throughout. The interior has beautifully aged and has a very original feel to it, the hood and sidescreens are all in excellent condition (aside from one small area on the hood which needs repair) and the Riley presents exceptionally well on the body with strong, straight panels and delightful, nicely aged older paintwork. There is some very slight bubbling which I have chosen to leave in place, avoiding any ‘new car’ look. All the original brightwork has been re-nickel plated and is beautiful. The car also presents very well on the underside as expected having spent so many years garaged. It starts well, runs smoothly and offers very good performance. A long-legged and comfortable tourer, it’s also just the ticket for summer picnics, shows and trips to the pub. The Riley performs very well, is brilliant fun to drive and sounds superb.
In 2022 it returned again to the annual Riley Register national concours, a round trip of some 200 miles, in the process winning the Maher Muhler Trophy for best newcomer – ironically, given its overall win in 1958! Since then other long trips have been undertaken including the 2023 VSCC Suffolk Tour in May, again totalling some 200 miles in the day.
Available separately will be my comprehensive stock of spare parts built up over ownership of this car and the replica 11. 9 Sports Tourer which I owned previously. This includes a complete standard 1925 engine dismantled for inspection and with a sound and tested cylinder block as well as major parts for more than one other engine and many important running gear items plus a rare and valuable 40-page 1925 Riley range brochure in colour with beautiful illustrations of all the body styles then offered.
This is a remarkably rare, capable and pretty motor car that is ideal for tours, rallies, shows and events. It has a wonderful patina and wonderful history.
