Highlights
- Previously sympathetically restored and repainted in maroon over black
- New ash frame fitted in 2010
- Extensive history file
The Appeal
The Riley 9 was a successful series of light sporting cars produced by the long-established Coventry based manufacturer.
The model was produced between 1926 and 1938 across a dizzying variety of specifications and body styles.
This example is a Monaco saloon, being a late example of the model it has an alloy body, as opposed to the fabric body fitted to earlier cars.
The Riley 9 Monaco was an advanced vehicle for its period with a sophisticated 1,098 cc engine with hemispherical combustion chambers which helped give the car spritely performance.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in August 1934, reportedly in Birkenhead
- Seven previous owners
- Professional exterior restoration
- Extensive paperwork archive file
- Numerous previous MOTs on hand
- Riley 9 Instruction Book and maintenance manual
- Resprayed, reportedly at a cost of £13,000
- MOT and Road Tax exempt
The Interior
- Original condition with charming patina
- Many period details and an authentic pre-war ambiance
- In very serviceable, unrestored condition
This Riley 9 Monaco’s interior exudes charm and originality by the bucket load.
The interior appears almost entirely original, and the patina and moderate wear really add to the character and personality of this historic little car.
The dark green leather seats are box pleated throughout and exhibit varying degrees of patina. As is common, the driver’s seat exhibits the most original wear with the odd crack, split and areas of surface wear in evidence. There is nothing here that detracts from the usability of the car, however. The remaining seats are slightly less worn and entirely appropriate to this period of car.
The door cards are a period work of art in themselves. Capped with solid wood and leather trimmed with built in arm rests and expanding storage pockets. The bottoms are finished in green carpet and the chromed door furniture is finished with Riley diamond motifs.
The green carpets are in good overall condition and are currently protected with practical rubber mats. Above, the flocked headlining is in excellent condition and there is a very appealing large sliding sunroof fitted.
The solid wood dashboard is centred by a chromed instrument panel filled with original and classy British Jaeger gauges and dials. Together with a number of Bakelite switches and knobs, this is a real highlight of an already fascinating cabin.
A small, sloping boot is present and nicely finished in a deep black carpet.
The interior appears almost entirely original, and the patina and moderate wear really add to the character and personality of this historic little car.
The dark green leather seats are box pleated throughout and exhibit varying degrees of patina. As is common, the driver’s seat exhibits the most original wear with the odd crack, split and areas of surface wear in evidence. There is nothing here that detracts from the usability of the car, however. The remaining seats are slightly less worn and entirely appropriate to this period of car.
The door cards are a period work of art in themselves. Capped with solid wood and leather trimmed with built in arm rests and expanding storage pockets. The bottoms are finished in green carpet and the chromed door furniture is finished with Riley diamond motifs.
The green carpets are in good overall condition and are currently protected with practical rubber mats. Above, the flocked headlining is in excellent condition and there is a very appealing large sliding sunroof fitted.
The solid wood dashboard is centred by a chromed instrument panel filled with original and classy British Jaeger gauges and dials. Together with a number of Bakelite switches and knobs, this is a real highlight of an already fascinating cabin.
A small, sloping boot is present and nicely finished in a deep black carpet.
The Exterior
- Repainted in maroon and black paintwork in 2017/18
- Ash frame replaced in 2010
- The charming grill and external headlamps are a delightfully distinctive period feature
The paintwork of this Riley 9 Monaco is very evocative of its period and presents very well indeed.
Clearly benefiting from a recent and professional external restoration, this is a very eye-catching car. Reportedly, the ash frame was replaced in 2010.
During our photo shoot, numerous passers by were inspired to come over and inspect and admire this little Riley.
The front of this car is a delight. Its large headlamps are centred with the Riley blue diamond emblems and sit behind a brightly chromed bezel. The tall radiator is topped by a shaped chromed surround and two Riley Club badges are in evidence.
The front mudguards and their rear counterparts are connected by generous running boards topped by chromed protective strips. These are all picked out in gloss black which contrasts very well with the maroon of the body.
An external spare wire wheel is mounted to the flat boot lid and the accents of chrome to the door furniture and wheel centres round off this charming Stanley Riley design perfectly.
Clearly benefiting from a recent and professional external restoration, this is a very eye-catching car. Reportedly, the ash frame was replaced in 2010.
During our photo shoot, numerous passers by were inspired to come over and inspect and admire this little Riley.
The front of this car is a delight. Its large headlamps are centred with the Riley blue diamond emblems and sit behind a brightly chromed bezel. The tall radiator is topped by a shaped chromed surround and two Riley Club badges are in evidence.
The front mudguards and their rear counterparts are connected by generous running boards topped by chromed protective strips. These are all picked out in gloss black which contrasts very well with the maroon of the body.
An external spare wire wheel is mounted to the flat boot lid and the accents of chrome to the door furniture and wheel centres round off this charming Stanley Riley design perfectly.
The Mechanics
- Powerful 1,098cc four-cylinder engine
- ENV pre-selector epicyclic gearbox
- No mechanical issues noted or reported
The 1,098 cc four-cylinder engine with hemispherical combustion chambers and valves inclined at 45 degrees in a crossflow head was designed by Percy Riley.
This innovative design gave the car a 60mph plus top speed, while delivering a competitive 40mpg.
The current owner drove the car through town to our photo location and it seemed to run very effectively and started on the button each and every time.
No unexpected smoke was in evidence, and the owner reports that it drives very well, although it is clearly a very different experience to driving the cars of today.
Both the engine bay and underside areas of the car present very well and are impressively clean for a car fast approaching its 90th birthday. No oil leaks or fluid weeps were noticed during our thorough photographic inspection.
This innovative design gave the car a 60mph plus top speed, while delivering a competitive 40mpg.
The current owner drove the car through town to our photo location and it seemed to run very effectively and started on the button each and every time.
No unexpected smoke was in evidence, and the owner reports that it drives very well, although it is clearly a very different experience to driving the cars of today.
Both the engine bay and underside areas of the car present very well and are impressively clean for a car fast approaching its 90th birthday. No oil leaks or fluid weeps were noticed during our thorough photographic inspection.
Summary
What a charming survivor this Riley 9 Monaco is. It is fascinating to ponder how many of today’s cars will still be providing charming and quirky enjoyment in 90 years’ time like this car is.
We can vouch for the car being a real head turner and conversation starter with our photoshoot punctuated a number of times by interested and engaged passers-by.
The combination of a restored exterior and original interior is an appealing one and the car remains surprising useable and, dare we say, quite practical.
If you are a fan of these robustly built and stylish British pre-war cars, you will surely struggle to find a better example than this at such an attainable price point.
