Description
Reg. No: ADU 27
Chassis No: 44T 1733
Date of Reg: 1st January 1934
Tax Class: Historic vehicle
For the 1934 International Alpine Trial, The Riley Company entered three specially prepared 14/ 6 Gamecock specials with pre-selector gearboxes: ADU 27, ADU 28 and ADU 29. ADU 27 was driven by Capt. Riley and Eddie Maher.
ADU 28 and 29 survive to this day, but ADU 27 was lost during the 1950s. Nevertheless, the “age related” registration number was available and issued to this rolling chassis early in the 1970s. During the early 1980s the late Dick Woodruff commissioned marque expert Barrie Gillies to create a perfect copy of Barrie’s own Alpine Trial competitor ADU 28. This work was completed in 1984 in exquisite detail, even down to fitting a very rare Zeiss windscreen wiper motor, uniquely fitted to the “works” cars and the complete set of instruments including the dashboard mounted stop watch. ADU 27 is, therefore, indistinguishable from the surviving works cars - a fact which the vendor himself can verify, having owned and rebuilt ADU 29 during the 1970s.
Subsequently, ADU 27 passed into the ownership of well-known Riley enthusiast Ray Duly who campaigned the car in VSCC events here and abroad. Shortly before he died, in 2012, Ray commissioned a complete engine rebuild to “fast road” specification from CMC Ltd of Bridgnorth. It had only covered 2000km before the vendor bought the car in 2013. It is of 1633ccs, with triple bronze bodied SU carburettors, 6 branch exhaust, Scintilla (Ronco) magneto and has been fitted with a modern oil filer system. It has covered 24, 000 kms since then.
Since purchasing the car in 2013 the vendor has maintained it fastidiously, enjoyed long continental, Irish and UK tours, most recently in Devon last year. He has also used it in navigational rallies but has not used it for speed events. It has full weather equipment and very recent works include front axle rebuild, brakes overhaul, and replacement of transmission universal joint. It is shod with Blockley tyres and has full weather equipment.
In 2022, ADU 27 won the prestigious Lord Raglan Salver in the Bugatti Owners’ Club concours for the car displaying “Style, elegance, originality…. not polish”!
It is for sale now only because its present custodian, a “Riley man” from the early 1960s is no longer able to work on it as he would like, is not using it as much as it deserves, and would like to pass it on to a new owner to treasure and enjoy in the future as much as he has done. It is, of course, eligible for VSCC events and is ideally suited for many other UK events as well as continental competitive rallies, just as the original cars were intended.
It comes with comprehensive history files, replica 1934 rally plate, crew armband and other Alpine Trial information.
ADU 27, offered at a very modest £69000, it presents an opportunity to enjoy something indistinguishable from the real thing without the concomitant expense.
Alpine Trial
The 1934 Alpine Rally, also known as the Alpine Trial, was a prestigious and challenging motoring event that tested both drivers and their vehicles across the rugged terrain of the Alps. The route covered approximately 1800 miles.
The event was know for its rigorous challenges including rough roads and unpredictable weather conditions, which tested the endurance and reliability of the vehicles. The 6 cylinder Riley Gamecock team of ADU 27, 28, 29 were one of the British teams that performed well.
Specification
Engine: 6 cylinder 1633cc, uprated by CMC of Bridgnorth with Keith Pointing "fast road" cams.
Triple 1 1/ 4 inch bronze bodied SU carbs. Vertex Scintilla magneto and 6 brand exhaust manifold.
Gearbox: 4 speed preselecta
Rear Axle: 4. 89 to 1
