1936' Riley Kestrel

This is an exceptionally rare Riley 15/6 Kestrel. With on 8 or 9 said to be still in existence, this is a true collectors piece and is extraordinarily original having never required a full restoration. The Riley has been superbly maintained throughout its life and the original dealer badge is still present on the bulkhead. DPF 336 was first registered on the 31st December 1936 and has only had five owners from new. The Riley comes with a Vintage Sports-Car Club Eligibility document, issued in 2004. The most recent owner, a retired Doctor who is a prominent member of the Riley Club has owned the car since 2012, he bought it whilst having his 16/4 Kestrel restored and now this is on the road completed, this wonderful 15/6 is not getting the use it deserves.

DPF 336 presents beautifully with delightful, good quality paintwork and an excellent body, frame and chassis. The Riley has a lovely aged feel with lovely brightwork, excellent wheels and a nice level of detail. The boot compartment is well presented, so is the engine bay with the impressive six cylinder 1726cc engine looking the part. The interior is just delightful and so original. The leather is beautiful retaining an impressive patina, door cards, carpets, dashboard and headlining match equally giving off an impressive first impression and once in the car, it feels comfortable, very correct and how these cars should be. On the road this Kestrel is impressive, the engine runs beautifully with impressive performance, the gearbox was said to be rebuilt prior to 2012 and it is faultless, changing up and down perfectly on depressing the clutch. The Riley feels tight with good steering and handling and will be freshly serviced prior to leaving us.

There is an impressive file of invoices dating back to the 1980's with the Riley. Recent work in 2016 includes a spin on oil filter conversion and new chassis lubrication pipe. In 2013 the recent owner had both rear hubs stripped and cleaned, replacing oil seals as necessary. In 2011 over £1500 was spent on having new front shackle pins, all new rear shackles, pins and tail bushes in the rear of the chassis. From 1996 - 2000 substantial mechanical work was carried, invoices detailing all the work. The differential was stripped down and treated to a new crown wheel and pinion, rear brakes were re-lined, new wheel bearings fitted and new pinion thrust bearings fitted. An engine rebuild included grinding cam followers, new cylinder head studs, the cylinder head was gas flowed, camshafts re-profiled to Sprite specification, new cylinder block liners were fitted, centre main bearings were re-sized, main bearings were subject to white metalling, the crankshaft re-ground, con-rods were converted to take shell bearings and new small end bushes were fitted. The crankshaft and con-rods were balanced and the engine built up and re-fitted to the car with a re-conditioned clutch, rebuilt carburettors, new inlet manifold and six branch exhaust manifold. Invoices are also present for re-conditioning the speedo, work to the propshaft and new king pins.

This really is a wonderful opportunity to purchase a remarkably original car, not in ‘concours' condition but beautiful in every respect. It's on the button, driving and presenting superbly, and has a real provenance being such a rare, honest and original car with a comprehensive history file. Examples like this are not easy to find, a real collectors piece.