Description
This Riley was owned for 50 years by Irish racing driver D. C. MacLachlan who lived in Fennels Bay near Crosshaven, County Cork, Ireland. He raced at Ards, Phoenix Park, and Cork circuits amongst others from the late 20s through the 30s.
Over the years he was known to have prepared many Rileys for racing and this example with the shortened swan neck chassis and underslung rear axels was found at his farm in 1978 and returned to Wales with an apparent competition history. It was then put away in a barn until it again came to light in 2015.
MacLachlan owned garages in the Crosshaven area and his family is still remembered. He also had a relative of the same name who was involved with the Riley company . It is thought that he purchased the car in England and possibly took it to Thompson and Taylor for chassis modifications before returning it to Ireland. This was a common practice at that time. The chassis number indistinctly shows 607369 for 1929 or 60/ 369.
It has now been comprehensively rebuilt. The Brooklands shortened swanneck and underslung chassis was stripped, primed and painted with all new bushes and bearings fitted wherever necessary. New oil seals to front and rear hubs and new brake rods and cables. The all aluminium bodywork has been restored by coachwork specialist Ian Pitney over a new ash frame and a period correct Brooklands external exhaust was made and fitted by Dave Tyler. There is a foam filled aluminium petrol tank. The correct cycle wings are also aluminium and the headlights and side lights are Rotax.
The car sits on 19 inch wire wheels with new Longstone tyres.
Over £6000 was spent on the 1087cc engine alone which included a complete rebuild including crankshaft regrind ( Merlin crank), unleaded seats fitted with recut valves and seats, a skimmed head and refaced block, rad overhauled, facet petrol pump, electronic ignition. Other new parts include intermediate timing wheel, inlet camshaft timing wheel, camshaft timing wheel, new flywheel, and new clutch. The Riley 9 gearbox is all helical. Additional engine work by Steve Hodgeson and parts supplied by The Riley Register.
The engine turned aluminium dashboard was restored by vintage Bentley specialist James Pearce incorporating a 5 inch rev counter and speedo along with the correct oil pressure gauge, amp gauge, and clock. There is also the correct period steering wheel incorporating advance/ retard, lights and horn. The period leather seats are in excellent condition.
It is road registered with the DVLA, and has the important VSCC eligibility buff form allowing it to be entered in many events.
There are various spares including engine parts, several period wheels and tyres, and a folding windscreen. I also have many period press reports and photos detailing his racing life as well as more recent correspondence with people in Ireland who knew him and remember the car.
It is a rare opportunity to purchase a car with such documented history.
