Highlights

Beautiful special assembled by a military engineer
Built in the 1980s from a derelict Riley Monaco
Original blueprint drawings and copious history
Stunning condition

The Appeal

While it's not a term we encounter very often today, "Specials" were commonplace in the early post-war years, with enthusiasts building their own sporting bodies for discarded pre-war chassis. Indeed, in many ways the specials scene was one of the first examples of the car tuning and modifying that have been part of the fabric of the automotive world for so long.

This one, however, is a little bit different. It was scratch-built by a Professor of Military Engineering, who found a decrepit Riley Nine Monaco in an outbuilding in 1985 and set about creating a special of his own. One that, unsurprisingly, was engineered and developed with the diligence and attention to detail that you’d expect from a man of such bearing.

The car was sold on in the mid-2000s, and subsequently to a collector and enthusiast in the summer of 2023 and it was from them that our vendor acquired the Riley in February 2024. Its entire build and history over the past 38 years is known, filed and documented. This is a gorgeously pretty little thing, clearly inspired by racing cars of the 1930s. If you want to use it for hill climb and VSCC events, the fact it was previously VSCC-certified means getting it recertified should be a simple process. After which, all that’s left to do is enjoy and admire this wonderful little special.

The History and Paperwork

UK V5C present
Tax and MOT exempt
Indicated mileage at 9,552
Originally a Monaco Saloon, found in 1985 under a collapsed lean-to
The original registration number, NV3032, had been reallocated by the DVLA, so an age-related plate was issued
Lever arch file full of paperwork right back to 1985
Original sketches and blueprints drawn up by the man who built it
Handwritten correspondence between the Professor and various Riley specialists documenting work and parts acquired during the build
Large pile of old MOT certificates and tax discs
The car is known as ‘Tilly’
Previously VSCC-certified (now expired)
Acquired by the vendor in February 2024

The Condition

Beautifully detailed build
Folding vinyl hood
Superb chrome and trim
Motorsport-inspired livery
Reupholstered in black leather
Simple cabin
Bespoke alloy dash
Smart and well-presented

'Tilly' features an ash-framed body skinned in aluminium and finished to perfection – the panel gaps, precision and smartness of the car’s appearance are exactly what you’d expect from a military engineer. It’s beautifully done and despite being built almost four decades ago, it still looks wonderful today. The condition is impeccable.

Underneath, the chassis has been stripped, power-coated and painted. During the build, the wheels were stripped and rebuilt with stainless steel spokes and the rims stone enamelled. A hood and centre-zipped tonneau cover are also included, while the front screen folds flat.

Extras include two spotlights, chrome stone guards, two twin-inch headlights and radiator guard, motor meter, side mounted driving lamps, twin one gallon jerry cans and a period klaxon horn.

Although exceedingly basic, this car's interior has been finished to a very high standard and is in really smart internal order, with reupholstered black leather seats and excellent dark red carpets. The alloy dash is unmarked and all of the dials and gauges work in the manner they’re supposed to.

It’s clean and superbly presented, but not excessively shiny or over-detailed to retain a feel of a genuine 1930s sports car. It’s also a four-seater, albeit better suited to smaller passengers.

The Mechanics

Original Riley twin-cam engine
Crash box transmission
Starts and runs well
Recent top-end overhaul

Lift up the side-hinged bonnet and you’ll find a lively little twin cam power unit that was both advanced and powerful for its day. The top end of the engine was overhauled in 2019 and it has covered just a handful of miles since.

During the build, the braking system was re-cabled and fulcrums and pivots fitted along with new brake linings.

The engine and gearbox were rebuilt with the active assistance of Blue Diamond – the UK’s best-known Riley specialists. The pistons, crank and flywheel were lightened and balanced. A four-branch exhaust and twin 1one-inch SU carbs completed the picture under the bonnet.

Further recent work includes the addition of an electric ignition, new plugs, points, sports coil, fuel pump and plug leads.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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