£14,000
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
- Offered at No Reserve
Clothed in stylish bodywork by Stanley Riley, the Coventry marque's pre-war offerings were among the world's finest small-capacity sporting cars. Percy Riley's 9hp, 1,087cc, twin-camshaft four was an outstanding engine design by any standards, powering Rileys until the late 1950s. This proven twin-camshaft layout was retained for the new Hugh Rose-designed 1½-litre four of 1935. The Falcon saloon made its debut on the new 12hp chassis, also available with the familiar Kestrel saloon and Lynx tourer coachwork. The following year the range was augmented by the Sprite two-seater sports, and three more saloons: the Adelphi and six-light Kestrel on the 112.5” long-wheelbase chassis, and the shorter-wheelbase (106”) all-steel Merlin. In Standard trim the 1.5-litre 12/4 engine produced 45/46bhp with a single Zenith carburettor, the Special Series came with twin SUs and 52bhp, while at the top of the range was the 59/61bhp Sprite. In its ‘T T’ guise the new Sprite more than upheld Riley’s sporting traditions, winning the Ulster Tourist Trophy in both 1935 and 1936 with the legendary Freddie Dixon at the wheel, with numerous privateer successes at Brooklands and elsewhere.
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.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
0% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
1.2% inc VAT*
