For Sale

Riley 16/4 Special

1937

£10,000 Event Discount

Price: £99,995

  • Year

    1937

  • Make

    Riley

  • Model

    16/4 Special

  • Engine Capacity

    2,443 cc

  • Engine Configuration

    Inline 4

  • Exterior

    Green

  • Interior/Trim

    Black

  • RHD/LHD

    RHD

  • Transmission

    4-Speed Manual

  • Chassis no.

    48A3302

  • Registration

    DPO 394

THIS CAR
  • This fantastic pre-war Riley special was conceived, designed and engineered by Ian Gladstone (former owner of Blue Diamond Riley Services) and Roy Williams.
  • Their vision was to create a highly competitive historic rally car that was capable of competing at the highest level at the world’s toughest endurance events – and that’s is exactly what they achieved.
  • The car was based on a 1937 Riley “big four” Adelphi saloon, and mounted on it was a 1939 16/4 engine (chosen specifically for its high torque output).
  • The car was almost entirely constructed using parts from contemporary pre-war models, to ensure its eligibility for VSCC and Hero-ERA events.
  • In view of campaigning the Riley in a number of cross-continent events, Ian & Roy were mindful to engineer into the car a host of ‘long distance’ upgrades:
    • Twin Fuel Tanks (range approx. 300 miles)
    • Intake Filtration System
    • Comfortable Seating with Extended Pedal Box
    • Twin Ignition Systems
    • Twin Fuel Pumps
  • Once completed, the Riley was immediately flown out to compete in its first major event – the arduous and gruelling Peking to Paris rally.
  • Not only did the car finish, it was awarded a Gold Medal for its achievement. Quite remarkable for a rally car’s debut.
  • Upon returning to the UK, the car was then lightened, recommissioned and performance tuned ahead of being sold to its current owner in 2010.
  • In the 14 years since, the car has competed in an array historic rallies, often with great success, including:
    • First in Class – Le Jog
    • First in Class – Alpine Trial
    • First Overall – Blue Train Rally (Deauville to Cannes)
    • Numerous finishes on the Flying Scotsman
  • As you might expect, competing at this level requires a great deal of on-going maintenance and improvement, and so its no surprise that the car’s history file amounts to almost 90 pages of work, invoices and receipts.
  • Most recently, the car has benefitted from a full engine rebuild, and just prior to launching the car for sale, Blue Diamond Riley Services carried out a full inspection of the car along with the following recommissioning work:
    • Carburettor overhaul and tune
    • Brake Rod Pivots
    • Rear Axle Shackles, Pins & Bushes
    • Front Axle Kingpins
    • Front Wheel Bearing
  • What we have here then, is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a unique, well known, and highly respected pre-war Riley Special that’s not only a total joy around the B-roads of Britain, but is also capable of competing at the highest level in the world’s toughest historic endurance rallies.

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