1933 Riley Nine Monaco Special Series Plus Ultra | Brightwells | Auction Ends: Wed 16th Sept

In the previous family ownership for 28 years; drop chassis and Special Series twin-carb engine; restored in the 1980s and carefully maintained since; good Blockley tyres all round; a veteran of many events; very pretty indeed

Launched in 1926, the Riley Nine was acclaimed as one of the best small sporting cars in the world during the inter-war period. The 1,087cc twin-cam engine was brilliantly engineered and gave 60mph performance, the handling was delightful and it came in a wide range of extremely attractive body styles.

The Monaco saloon came out in 1926 and had a fabric body until 1932 and a more conventional aluminium body from 1933 – 1935. Beautifully trimmed inside, with lashings of walnut and leather, it was the sporting saloon that every speed-loving family aspired to and survivors are still highly prized by Vintage car enthusiasts today.

First registered in London in March 1933, this Riley Nine Monaco has the lowered chassis, rear-mounted fuel tank, sloping radiator and Special Series twin-carb engine which were introduced in 1931 for the most sporting Plus Ultra models.

It comes with a good amount of history back to the late 1950s, including many historic photos of the car and many old tax discs. From c.1978 – 1997 it was owned by a Tony Irwin of Lancaster who used it on numerous VSCC events and treated it to a body-off restoration in the 1980s, including a rebuilt engine and gearbox, as detailed in an album of photos on file.  

The previous owner’s father acquired the Monaco in August 1997 when it was showing 33,178 miles on the odometer and over the next 8 years he added another 3,000 miles, keeping a detailed log of work carried out to the car during this period which included regular servicing and chassis lubrication. There are also various invoices for new parts fitted including what looks like a fairly major suspension and steering overhaul in 1999.

When he emigrated in 2005, he passed the Riley on to his son who used it regularly but rather less frequently, six old MOTs showing that it has only covered around 1,200 miles in the last 20 years. It continued to be kept well-serviced and lubricated during this time, with invoices for a new headgasket set in 2011 and a new set of Blockley tyres in 2015 which cost over £800.

Our vendor acquired the Monaco via Brightwells in June last year and has enjoyed running around in the car, being so bitten by the Riley bug that he has now bought a Lynx 9hp tourer. With not enough space to keep both of them, he has decided to pass the Monaco on to someone else.  

As you can see in the photos, this sporting Monaco Plus Ultra looks very pretty indeed and has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, with healthy 50psi oil pressure. Aside from all the invoices and photos, it comes with a good amount of technical literature to help keep it fighting fit for many more decades to come.

On offer here at an enticing guide price, it will be a fun way to scoot around over the remaining summer months, with room for all the family, and will be welcome at all manner of VSCC events.

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]