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LOT 14

As campaigned by 'Scuderia Bonhams' Multiple Goodwood entrant & HRDC class podium finisher 1961 Riley 1.5 Historic Competition Saloon Registration no. WSJ 491 Chassis no. RHSR125946

Sold for £28,750 inc. premium
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Lot 14

As campaigned by 'Scuderia Bonhams' Multiple Goodwood entrant & HRDC class podium finisher
1961 Riley 1.5 Historic Competition Saloon
Registration no. WSJ 491 Chassis no. RHSR125946

Goodwood Members' Meeting|7 April 2019, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

As campaigned by 'Scuderia Bonhams' Multiple Goodwood entrant & HRDC class podium finisher
1961 Riley 1.5 Historic Competition Saloon
Registration no. WSJ 491
Chassis no. RHSR125946

*Developed by CCK Motorsports Ltd
*Prepared most recently by Setford & Co with no expense spared
*1.8-litre MGB engine and MGB gearbox
*Wolseley 1500 donor car and numerous spares included

Footnotes

Lovingly restored by various previous owners, this Riley 1.5 was in standard road trim when purchased in 2001 by the preceding owner. Converted to racing specification by CCK Motorsports Ltd, its first competitive outing was at Donington Park in 2002. The Riley was immediately invited to participate in the St Mary's Trophy Race at the Goodwood Revival meeting, where it appeared in 2002, 2004, and 2006 driven by celebrity co-driver 'Smoking' John Rhodes in 2002 and 2004 and Marino Franchitti in 2006. Riley 1.5s are relatively rare on the racetrack, so entry to most, if not all, historic events has not proved a problem.

Progressively developed by CCK, the Riley provided its former owner with six years of reliability in both Masters Top Hat and HRSR/HSCC. A very well known car, popular with the public, 'WSJ 491' has raced at Spa Francorchamps and Phoenix Park, Dublin and in the Jack Sears' Trophy Race at The Silverstone Classic Meeting.

'Scuderia Bonhams' acquired the Riley in 2007, since when it has been enthusiastically campaigned by Motor Car Department staffers including James Knight, Sholto Gilbertson, John Polson, and Mark Gold. Prepared and run most-recently by Setford & Co with no expense spared, 'WSJ 491' featured regularly on HRDC class podiums throughout 2017, and in 2018 finished 6th in the Jack Sears Memorial Trophy at the Goodwood Revival.

'The car handles very well,' says professional occasional driver James Wood. 'It is naturally balanced and forgiving, enabling one to carry good speed into and through the corners, essential when closely matched. Balancing it on the brakes is easy and enables the driver to pick up the throttle almost immediately. Very easy and enjoyable to drive.'

In 2008 the car featured in a press call celebrating the 50th, 60th and 80th anniversaries of the British Touring Car Championship, Silverstone circuit and the British Racing Drivers Club respectively. Attended by the likes of Jack Sears, Andy Rouse, Tim Harvey and Jason Plato, the car's lightweight bonnet was autographed by Sears and a copy of the press release is on file.

Correspondence from Setford & Co indicates the car's power output to be 140 BHP and that both the engine and gearbox were last rebuilt prior to the start of the 2018 season. The donor car – acquired in 2017 – is largely complete bar a windscreen, passenger seat and a series of other items. Too lengthy to detail here, an inventory of accompanying spares including engine, drivetrain and body parts is included in the substantial history file, along with invoices, V5 registration document, photographs, race programmes, results and old RACMSA & FIA paperwork. The donor car and assorted spares are available for collection by the buyer from locations in Hampshire (UK).

Saleroom notices

Please note the correct chassis number is R24704.

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