Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 137
1937 Riley 15/6 Boattail Special Chassis no. 47K3085
Sold for US$67,200 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 137
1937 Riley 15/6 Boattail Special
1937 Riley 15/6 Boattail Special
Chassis no. 47K3085
Chassis no. 47K3085
1,726cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
3 SU Carburetors
56bhp at 4,800rpm
4-Speed Pre-select Transmission
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
* Stunning prepared vintage racer and rally car
* Over $40,000 in mechanical service receipts with Blue Diamond Riley Services in the UK
* Custom-built coachwork evocative of Bugatti Grand Prix cars
* Excellent machine for road or track
THE RILEY
"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-liter six-cylinder models duly appeared in 1929 followed by 12hp, 1.5-liter versions in 1933. Riley's 1,633cc, 13.5hp engine was also offered in this chassis.
In 1935 Riley introduced the new 1.7-liter 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.
THE CAR OFFERED
Riley's have been renowned the world over for their extreme capability in almost any motoring circumstance. Their diminutive, overhead cam, 6-cylinder jewel of an engine has propelled many a racer to victory. Aside from the factory-built Imps and Brooklands cars, many a Riley have found themselves prepared as turnkey "winners". This Riley is no exception. Having been derived from a 12/6, this special was the initial beneficiary of a fabulous conversion to the general car presented here. Having already been upgraded to 15/6 cam along with new rotating assembly the Riley leaves little to be desired in the way of power.
The "boat-tail" coachwork is very of-the-period racer. Completed in aluminum, it has a craftsman's eye for execution and proportion. Additionally, with period racing appointments such as Brooklands screens, reproduction Micheline tires, color-matched wire wheels with knock off spinners, twin aluminum 'LeMans' style fuel fillers, and twin Andre Hartford shock absorbers to iron out any road imperfections, the "look" but also the functionality of this car really is brought to the forefront.
After the Riley's initial completion, its current owner, a rallyist of the highest order, took the car to a stratospheric level. Now accompanied with stacks and stacks of receipts from marque specialists, in the near $40,000 range, from names such as Blue Diamond and K. Pointing, the Riley has been actively campaigned both in the US and abroad on numerous events, including multiple Great Race and Europe distance tours. No expense was spared on both larger parts down to the trivial £2.00 part, each was fitted with a similar attention to detail. This Riley was prepped for any and all classic motoring events, both long and short distance and most recently completed the Colorado Grand this past September. Also having been accepted to the VSCC, it's sure to be a weapon on both the street and the track. Truly an exciting opportunity for any motoring enthusiast to truly dive in and understand what sets these jewel-like cars apart. A Blue Diamond, perfectly faceted, this Riley is not an experience to be missed.
Saleroom notices
Please note, this Riley is Double Underhead Cam.
Additional information
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