Highlights

Later pressed steel four-door coachwork
Attractive older restoration in two-tone blue and black
Innovative Riley 1,089cc twin-cam four-cylinder engine
Largely original black leather interior
Good history file including 1950s buff logbook and Riley Club ownership history
Recent maintenance, including carburettor overhaul and refurbished radiator

The Appeal

The Riley Nine is one of those clever family saloons that Britain did so well in the pre-war years. Designed by Percy and Stanley Riley, its centrepiece was Percy’s innovative 1.1L 4cyl twin cam engine. Featuring hemispherical combustion chambers, it was good for up to 50hp.

Light and brilliantly engineered, the nimble Monaco is understandably known as the Lotus of its day. Its name derives from Riley’s tradition of naming cars after exotic holiday destinations. Initially, the Monaco featured a fabric body on its ash frame, but later cars like this, a pretty 1933, were built using pressed steel bodies.

Finished in black and blue following a restoration in the 1980s, this is a really tidy and handsome example of the brilliant Nine Monaco. The exterior is in good order and the black leather interior is complete and in good shape. We’re told it is largely original, hence the light patina visible in photos.

The car comes to market with a long list of recent maintenance. The work includes a new alternator, a refurbished radiator, carburettor overhaul and tuning, a new rotor arm, a coil and replacement spark plugs. It has also been fitted with four new quality Blockley tyres.

The joy of the Nine is just how entertaining it is to drive. Here’s a chance to immerse yourself in some brilliant pre-war engineering with a well-sorted and recently maintained Monaco.

The vendor says:

“A charming, usable and properly sorted pre-war sporting saloon ideal for local events, longer runs or simply enjoying vintage motoring as it should be.”

Key Information

Mileage: not stated
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: exempt
Technical specs: 1,089cc twin-cam four-cylinder petrol, manual gearbox
Paperwork: V5, 1950s buff logbook, Riley Maintenance Manual, collection of old invoices and receipts, Riley Club ownership history and related ephemera

The Detail

Older repaint in two-tone black and blue with matching blue spoked wheels
Exterior presents well with well-kept fittings, including fabric roof
Features large sliding sunroof as shown
Black leather interior is said to be original
Blue carpets in good order with light age to note
Interior including leather and wood, presents well with patination due to originality
The vendor states the car starts readily and runs nicely
The vendor describes the largely original black leather interior as honest and usable

Recent maintenance advised by seller:

Four new Blockley tyres fitted
Alternator replaced
Timing cover leak rectified
Radiator refurbished
Carburettors tuned and refurbished
New rotor arm
Replacement coil
New spark plugs fitted
12v socket discreetly fitted for practicality

BEFORE YOU BUY

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