Riley Nine Plus Four-Seat Tourer

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

Their masterstroke came in 1926 when the new Nine was announced. The chassis, suspension and bodywork were the work of Stanley Riley, while the hugely talented Percy Riley designed the brilliant little 9hp engine.

At first it was only available as a fabric-bodied saloon, but all-steel bodies were soon to follow, although these lost some of the sprightly nature of the lightweight originals which could cruise at 60mph with up to 40mpg economy.

The peppy 1087cc engine thrived on high revs, its twin-camshafts mounted high in the block, making for short and light pushrods. These operated valves set at 45 degrees to the head which gave a very efficient crossflow layout, allowing prodigious power outputs to be extracted from this willing unit. Also of interest was the clever use of a continuous brake cable that not only allowed adjustment from the driving seat, but also gave an equal pull at each wheel, ensuring the brakes we always in balance.

For the 1931 Model Year, the fuel tank was moved to the rear of the car and a new range called the Plus Series was introduced. Incorporating a number of upgrades, including the more robust  'Merlin' crankshaft, the new models were a much needed boost right in the middle of the great depression. Never cheap cars, the Riley Nine Plus Tourer cost £298 in 1930, nearly three times the price of a basic Austin 7.

This example is one of the early Plus models sporting the excellent 'silent-third' gearbox and a sturdy factory all-steel body (most Nine tourers were fabric bodied, which although lighter, are nothing like as durable). The tourer body shares similarities with the outgoing Mark 4, including the horizontally divided windscreen and early type door handles. The vendor has been told by Riley experts that around 50 of these all steel bodies were left over when the Plus model was introduced, these being used up on the new car. In any event, a steel-bodied Plus tourer is a rare car indeed.

Built around the turn of 1930/31 the exact build date of this example is uncertain as most of the Riley company build records were lost in the Coventry Blitz. The car has however been accepted by the VSCC as vintage and has a current VSCC Buff Form citing the date as 1930 and categorising the car as 'standard'. It is therefore eligible for vintage events and also for the excellent Light Car section of the VSCC provided only a single carburettor is fitted, and in this form the vendor has used the car in Light Car section events.

The car is currently running on twin SU carburettors but is very easily put back onto a single instrument if required: a new single carburettor manifold is included in the sale, and incidentally the vendor states that the car goes just as well on a single carb as on twins!

The history file shows that the car was owned by an engineer from 1956 to 1999, and during his 33-year ownership was thoroughly rebuilt and restored. The car has had three owners since, the vendor acquiring it in mid-2012 and only now selling to help finance the purchase of an XK Jaguar.

During the restoration discreet indicators, which also act as hazard lights, were incorporated and the seats were retrimmed in leather, these having now acquired a splendid patina. A full tonneau plus a hood cover is fitted, and the car comes with a full set of sidescreens. The hood itself is venerable but serviceable though the vendor always drives the car open. The wheels were rebuilt within recent times and a good set of tyres are fitted, as are two new 12-volt batteries running in parallel. The Autovac was rebuilt and functions perfectly, and the magneto was rebuilt three years ago by marque specialists Blue Diamond Services. A stainless steel exhaust is also fitted.

During 2015 a full top and bottom end engine overhaul took place, this being performed by Paul Connor, an engineer and Riley specialist well known to Riley owners in the North West. A bill for £2,700 is in the history file showing that the the engine was stripped, the block pressure tested, the bottom end re-metalled and the engine bored and fitted with new +20 Omega pistons. The unit was then properly balanced. Further work included a head overhaul, new head studs and an oil pump rebuild.

The engine now runs very sweetly with good oil pressure and has only covered about 250 miles, the vendor adivsing that it will require a further period of gentle running in by the new owner for about the same number of miles before it is safe to give it some welly. The car comes with a good history file, an original calorimeter on the radiator, and is well known in both Riley Register and VSCC circles. Well sorted and an instant starter on the button it is ready for its next club event.

Nicely patinated throughout, this rare steel-bodied four-seat sports tourer is ideal for someone with a growing family or for a Light Car vintagent who wants a bit more space and pace. Even the clock works and keeps good time !