Description
Coming to auction at Wilton House for the Concours Des Legendes, 19-21 June, full catalogue now online.
1937 Riley 1. 5 Litre Kestrel
Registration Number: ATR 718
Chassis Number: 27K. 6669
Recorded Mileage: 11, 109 miles
One former owner from new
In current ownership since 2002, extensively restored
Always a Devon car, this beautiful Six-Light Kestrel was supplied to its original owner, Mr. Kenneth Ayre of Goodleigh near Barnstaple, on 22nd April 1937. Amazingly Mr. Ayre’s family kept the Riley for a further 65 years before ownership passed to the current keeper in 2002. ‘ATR 718’ was promptly taken to our vendor’s engineering firm and comprehensively restored to the condition you see today.
The ground up restoration was undertaken by two experienced engineers (formerly in aviation) over a full time and continual two year period. Upon final completion of the restoration the vehicle was sent to a coach work specialist for the body work to be returned to bare metal and refinished. Although not documented, we understand the cost of this was c.£15, 000 (in 2010), with the reupholstered interior being completed at a cost of approximately £3, 500. 00. The vendor informs us that car presents as well today as it was when originally painted
Originally finished in black, the Kestrel now sports supremely stylish silver coachwork, complemented by red wheels and a beautiful soft red leather interior, with grey headlining and carpeting. A useful additional feature for summer months is the fitting of a sliding sunroof.
Dry garage stored in recent times, and in regular summer use until 2024, the Riley has recently been started and ran without issue. A video showing the car being started is available upon request. Offered with current UK V5c, this is a very sensibly estimated example of Riley’s Art Deco masterpiece of the late 1930s.
