Description
Thank you for your looking at my Riley 1300 Mkll.
I have owned this car for approximately 11 years. It has had six former keepers and I purchased it from a private seller in Preston.
During my period of ownership, I have carried out many worthwhile improvements, whilst always wanting to keep the car true to it’s original specification. The car was essentially in serviceable condition when I purchased it, but the list of improvements is too numerous to mention in this advert. ( I have kept photographic evidence of some of the repairs and improvements carried out).
First registered on 13th May 1969 and supplied to its first owner by Brittains Limited of Brighton, this owner retained the car for just 21 months. I feel that the main reason why this car has survived for 45 years is due to an extended period of ownership by the second owner, a Church of England vicar who also lived on the south coast. He kept the car until he passed away in the late 1990s. A letter written by the owner’s son, explaining the care and attention lavished on the car, is contained within the history file which will accompany the car on sale.
Often referred to by it’s pre production designation ADO 16, the model range comprised many badge engineered variants, ranging from the humble Austin/ Morris to the sumptuous Vanden Plas derivative. The Riley marque fits in one below the most expensive model, offering more performance from the fitment of twin carburettors (providing 70 bhp) and added trim items, such as a dashboard tachometer and leather clad sports steering wheel, all of which were carried over to the Riley’s eventual replacement in the form of the sporty 1300GT introduced in late 1969.
In production from 1965, as the Riley Kestrel and later from 1967 onwards as the 1300 Mk ll, this variant enjoyed the shortest manufacturing period of all of the ADO 16 models and is therefore the rarest and arguably the most sought after, particularly in this superb colour and condition combination!
Produced in a wide variety of period colours, this Damask Red example is presented in very good order. Whilst not in concours condition, it is a very usable classic, ideal for showing and enjoying at local historic car events. Now being exempt from an annual MOT Certificate and also road fund licence and ULEZ, the car has just been serviced and the steering rack has been replaced with a suitable reconditioned unit.
A British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate is included in the extensive history file which also includes numerous old MOT Certificates, owner manual and various receipts for works done.
During my custodianship, I have covered very few miles, using the car for the odd weekend drive or attendance at locally organised Classic car events. It has always been garaged and with one or two possible exemptions, has never been used in the wet!
With increasing age and obsolescence (and I refer to me, rather than the car!) I have reluctantly decided that we should part company and very much hope that the new owner will love the car, in the same way I have.
