Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
27th Nov, 2024 13:00
1930 Riley 9hp Monaco
Estimate
£7, 000 - £9, 000
Registration No: FB 8604
Chassis No: 60-10530
MOT: Exempt
Subject to restoration works during the 1980s
Desirable fabric bodied saloon coachwork
Well maintained with recent works to the electrical system including the fitment of flashing winkers
Eligible for VSCC Road Events
Introduced in 1926, Percy Riley’s 9hp, 1, 087cc twin-camshaft ‘four’ was an outstanding engine design by any standards, various versions powering Rileys until 1957. Clothed in stylish bodywork by Stanley Riley, the Coventry manufacturer’s pre-war offerings were among the world’s finest small-capacity sporting cars. Right from the start it was obvious that the 9hp Riley engine possessed enormous potential as a competition unit, and at Brooklands J G Parry-Thomas and Reid Railton were the first to demonstrate just how good it was. The success of their racer led to a production version, the Speed Model, which would turn out to be merely the first in a lengthy series of memorable Riley sports cars. 1929 saw the introduction of the MkIV chassis featuring wider front/ rear track and much larger brakes than hitherto. Models available were the Monaco saloon, Biarritz saloon, fabric-bodied four-seat tourer and a brace of coachbuilt tourers.
First registered with Bath County Council on the 1st July 1930, ‘FB 8604’ is believed to have been originally supplied by Western Counties Automobile Co. Ltd. Little is known about the early history of the Riley, however a green log book on file dating to 1968 shows ownership around the Somerset and Wiltshire area, so it is believed that the car remained in the West Country from new. The vendor understands that ‘FB 8604’ benefitted from extensive restoration works during the early 1980’s, which included recovering of the black fabric body covering, chassis work, and it is believed that the venerable Percy Riley designed power unit was exchanged for another, correct overhauled unit. Thankfully, the restoration work was directed towards conservation of originality, and much of the original green leather interior is preserved in a charming condition, with the rear seats sympathetically retrimmed to match. Post restoration, the vintage saloon was to become part of a private museum for some thirty years, before being sold to the previous owner via Bonhams in 2012. The previous owner was noted for being a long-term member of the VSCC and completed a gentle 2, 000 miles throughout their ownership prior the vendor acquiring the car in 2023.
A member of the VSCC himself and a self-confessed vintage period addict, the vendor has used the car for several trips between his home in Cornwall and Portsmouth and has commented that the Monaco has been a ‘very faithful steed’, attesting to its fastidious maintenance schedule previously. In his ownership, the vendor has installed new aluminium and rubber coolant hoses onto the car and has sensibly fitted non-intrusive LED flashing winkers to inform modern traffic of directional changes. He has also fitted a brand-new electric wiper motor which has been wired in with a high-quality fuse board using glass fuses, further enhancing driveability during poor weather. Now described as being in ‘very good’ condition mechanically and with bodywork being to the same standard, the Riley should prove to be a very fine Vintage-era workhorse to any prospective new owner. With plenty of support from the Riley Register on offer, the Riley 9hp is eligible for all VSCC road events and their Light Car Section.
