Description
Extremely original, early 33 spec (silent 3rd gearbox & magneto), Monaco with decades of patina. I bought her about 4 years ago from a fellow Riley Register member and I have to say it'll be a wrench to part with her. I have other Rileys and this is the most characterful. The upholstery and paintwork wear their age in the nicest possible way in that it's all perfectly serviceable, but has clearly lived a life. Restoration would be a crime in my view and utterly unnecessary. Mechanically all is sound too. I had the engine apart last year to attend to a floating front main bearing and subsequent jarred flywheel and took the opportunity to examine and measure everything. All bores and bearings show no appreciable wear and the crankshaft is crack-free ( fluorescent crack detection undertaken). The vacuum motor for the wipers is missing but the vacuum tank and pipework are there so I've resisted fitting an electric motor (easily done if you want to though). Other than that everything works, including the discreet but effective indicators. Over the past 4 years we've undertaken many a long trip - including London to Edinburgh - and there is no more pleasant way of travelling the A & B roads. She'll reach 60+ but is happiest cruising at precisely 54mph as indicated by the accurate chronometric speedo. So, not a motorway car, but so engaging to drive that anything over 40 feels like twice that speed in a more modern car! Also, easier to keep to a 20 limit than many cars which is handy in these times. In the last few months she's been a shopping car and a workhorse for transporting DIY material so utterly usable on a daily basis.
As I said, I have other Rileys and sadly one has to go for space and cash reasons. As this is the least used it makes sense for this to be the one to go - but if I were to get a good offer for one of the others I'd be more than happy to hold on to this one. Happy to answer any questions. The car is currently garaged a couple of miles from my home but can be available to view in central London at short notice.
