Description
For sale is my 1960 Riley 1. 5 , a charming classic four-door saloon, which has been converted to historic rally specification and boasts competitive FIVA certification.
The engine is a rally-prepared 1. 5-litre inline-four, sending its power to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission.
The odometer currently displays 18, 040 miles, however this is not warranted. First registered in May 1960, the car has had four owners from new; the first until 1998, and I purchased the car in 2000 during which time we undertook a full rebuild to its current specification.
Affectionately named ‘Elsie’, the Riley 1. 5 has competed in numerous rally events including 14 entries to the Rally of the Tests, Three Castles, The Summer Trial, The Winter Trial, as well as frequent one-day events and has finished them all, with the last rally in November 2021. Throughout all these competitions the Riley has proved extremely reliable and simple to repair, being registered in 1960 means that it qualifies for the majority of Historic Rallying events.
Previously painted grey but had a bare metal respray in 2006 and is now finished in a two-tone light yellow and black colour scheme, while the cabin is trimmed in black vinyl, and features front Sparco racing seats with black Sabelt harnesses. It rides on an aftermarket set of 14-inch Minilite alloy wheels, shod in Yokohama Wdrive V903 tyres. The car is fitted with a roll cage and a Marshall mechanical fire system, and while the rear seats and dashboard remain in situ, the dashboard has been fitted with a selection of timers, exposed fuses, toggle switches, and a battery cut-off switch.
included in the sale are a large selection of spare parts which are pictured, as well as its FIVA identity card and FIA papers (expired), and a raft of maintenance invoices and old MOT test certificates.
The black and yellow paintwork is in generally good condition, several panels were replaced at the time of the bear metal respray to included the replacement of all four doors.
Today, there are stone chips on the front end, bonnet, lower offside front wing, the boot edges and the bases of rear wings, as well as an area of surface rust on the bottom of the offside rear wing, a scuff on the top of nearside rear wheel arch which forms part of the rear door, as well as general small marks, scuffs, stone chips along with the chrome which is pitted in places, the condition being inline with all the competitive competition history over the years. Inside, the cabin presents well, re- trimmed in 2006, which included the fitment of the front bucket seats, replacement of the door panels and rear seats, and the installation of the roll cage. The interior now shows signs of wear on the carpets, wear and marks on the original dashboard, light wear and scuffing on the seats, and a general ‘patina’ throughout.
The car’s last MOT test was conducted on 17 June 2019 at an indicated 15, 459 miles, resulting in a clean, first-time pass.
This vehicle is now exempt from mandatory MOT testing due to its age.
Originally looked after by Richard Thorne Classic Cars; in 2006 care transferred to Chris Snowden Racing (CSR), and at this time a full restoration was commissioned including bare-metal respray, replacement of some body panels/ doors, engine rebuild, undersealed and Dinotrol to the sills. CSR rebuilt the engine again in 2014, and in 2016 care passed to the renowned Riley specialist Peter Banham Motorsport, who has looked after ‘Elsie’ to the present day.
This Riley 1. 5’s most recent service was carried out in October 2020 at an indicated 17, 000 miles by Peter Banham Motorsport. The work comprised of an engine oil and filter change, along with the replacement of the brake shoes, wheel bearings, heater tap and gaskets, an inspection of the half shafts, and a straighten up of the sump guard.
Prior to this, it was serviced in August 2019 which was a minor service, including replacement of the brake shoes and differential and repairs to the horn and fan, and in October 2018 which was a service and a repair of the rear bumper bracket, and replacement of the rear shock absorbers, differential, a wheel bearing, and the fitment of spotlights, and dash clocks. Both services were performed by Peter Banham Motorsport.
Elsie would make an ideal first vehicle to enter into historic rallying and would be a competitive entrant , being entirely road legalI purchased the Riley as a start out historic rally competition car, without doubt the Riley attracts attention in her bright colours where ever we compete, attend shows, or just take out on a Sunday jaunt. She has proved extremely reliable and when repairs have been needed as shown by the invoice history is not expensive to run.
The car Combines practicality with charming period looks a charismatic classic four-door saloon car, whilst reconfigured for competition use "Elsie" remains entirely road legal and offers a variety of uses.
