Riley Monaco

The Riley company motto, “As old as the industry – as modern as the hour” summed up the product range very nicely.

Their master-stroke came in 1926 when the Nine was announced. The chassis, suspension and bodywork were the work of Stanley Riley, whilst the hugely talented Percy Riley designed the brilliant little 9hp engine. This 1087cc unit thrived on high revs, which it would happily and reliably maintain for long periods of time thanks to its clever design. Twin camshafts were mounted high in the block, making for short and light pushrods and these operated valves set at 45 degrees to the head. This, coupled with a crossflow head design, enabled prodigious power to be extracted from this willing unit. 

By the early ‘30s Rileys were known for their modern flowing lines, embracing the best style of the period without adding too much weight. This maintained the car’s reputation for excellent performance when so many of its competitors were lowering their axle ratios to account for the ever increasing expansion of their waistlines.

This lovely original late model Monaco has had just 3 owners since 1936. Purchased by the vendor in 2009, its previous owner had acquired it from its first owner in 2006! Fitted with a ‘Special Series’ engine with the correct twin Zenith carburettors and a pre-selector gearbox, it left the factory with a Riley Adelphi-based alloy six-light body with steel wings costing £298. In production for just two years, the last of the Monaco range made way for the Victor model shortly before the outbreak of war.

In 2006 the engine was given a rebuild, including fitting shell bearings at a cost of £2,310. Further bills from Blue Diamond Services are on file dating back to 2006, whilst the current owner had the radiator reconditioned in 2011 at a cost of £395. Five old MOT certificates show that in 2003 the odometer indicated 89,690 miles, whilst it now shows 92,200, indicating that just over 2,500 miles have been covered since the engine work was carried out.

The bodywork is believed to be sound and the leather trim is delightfully original. Running and driving as it should, the pre-selector is reported as working correctly and the Girling hydraulic brakes are effective. Complete with its original instruction book, a Pitman manual, Riley manual and some old Riley Register bulletins, it is altogether a most appealing and attractive late model Monaco in nice original condition. 
 

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT;  The vendor advises that althought the V5 states that it has had 3 former keepers since 1936, he feels that this may not be correct.