Offered from the late Colin Clifford Collection
1936 Riley 15/6 Kestrel Saloon

• Relatively rare six-cylinder Riley
• Restored in 2000
• Engine rebuilt in 2005 (circa 6,000 miles ago)
• Gearbox overhauled in 2022

"Certain characteristics, as original as they are concisely practical, have caused the Riley '9' to be regarded as the most advanced design of British built small cars on the market. Now the makers have completed the task of giving the '9' a larger brother and are placing on the market a five seater of similar characteristics, but with a six-cylinder engine." – Autocar.

Clothed in stylish bodywork by Stanley Riley, the Coventry marque's pre-war offerings were among the world's finest small-capacity sporting cars. Percy Riley's 9hp, 1,087cc, twin-camshaft four was an outstanding engine design by any standards, various versions powering Rileys from 1926 to 1957. The twin-cam Riley engine was one of the most advanced of its day, so it can have caused little surprise when the Coventry manufacturer created its first six by, in effect, adding a pair of cylinders to the existing design. Hailed as 'The Wonder Car Plus Two', the first 14hp, 1.6-litre six-cylinder models duly appeared in 1929 followed by 12hp, 1.5-litre versions in 1933. Riley's 1,633cc, 13.5hp engine was also offered in this chassis.

In 1935 Riley introduced the new 1.7-litre 15/6, which incorporated many features of the contemporary 12/4, including an X-braced box-section chassis with over-axle tubular members at the rear. This frame employed the standard 112½" wheelbase at first and a 116½ wheelbase from 1937. The pre-selector gearbox was the only transmission on offer. The 15/6 was available with bodies in five different styles: Stelvio, Kestrel, Falcon and Adelphi saloons, plus the Lynx tourer.

Having had only four known previous owners, this relatively rare six-cylinder Riley was restored in 2000 while retaining its original leather upholstery (the carpets were replaced). The engine was rebuilt in 2005, since when a little over 6,000 miles have been covered, while the gearbox was overhauled in 2022. The chassis has been Waxoyled. There is a photo album available documenting the progress of the restoration, plus a folder containing all receipts for the engine rebuild, paintwork and all other works carried out, totalling over £9,000. 'DKM 156' has attended the annual Riley Rally several times as well as numerous local rallies and car shows. The car is fitted with jacks as standard and comes complete with its winding handle, starting handle, wheel spinner tool, and copper mallet. Offered with an old-style logbook and a current V5C document.