Lot Ended
Description
Current owner since 2017; recently restored including engine and
gearbox overhaul, ash frame repairs and interior retrim; matching numbers; rare
model, one of around 50 known to survive worldwide
Introduced at
the 1934 Olympia Motor Show, the Riley 12/4 successfully built on the Nine’s
greatest strength – its excellent 1,087cc twin-cam engine. Modified and enlarged
to 1.5 litres, the new engine produced 51bhp and gave the 12/4 a top speed in
excess of 70mph, impressive performance for its class.
This was fitted to an entirely new chassis designated the 22T. Three
bodies were available on the 12/4 chassis (a surprisingly low number by Riley
standards!), the more traditional, upright Falcon saloon being joined by the
lower, more streamlined Kestrel, while the Lynx was the open model, with buyers
able to choose between manual or pre-selector gearboxes.
The Kestrel body was more rakish than before incorporating numerous
subtle differences inspired by the Art Deco movement. The new Kestrel with
four-light body was only available for that one season, before undergoing a
re-style becoming wider and larger with six-light coachwork. Today, these
earlier four-light models are rare and sought after, with only around 50 thought
to survive worldwide.
First registered in Bristol
in February 1935, this Kestrel 22T appears to have spent the vast majority of
its life in that area, according to an old buff logbook on file. By 1968 it was
owned by a Peter Davney of Cheltenham who seems to have kept the car in storage
before selling it to a friend in the early 1990s. He carried out some work on
the car and kept it until he passed away in c.2016.
Our vendor acquired the car in 2017 and set about a sympathetic
restoration during the Covid lockdown. This included replacing much of the ash
frame and restoring the bodywork with new inner sills, repairs to the foot wells
and the wings followed by a repaint in the original maroon. The headlights and
sidelights were rechromed and the wheels were powder coated and fitted with five
new tyres.
The original engine and pre-selector
gearbox were recommissioned as required and the brakes and suspension were
overhauled with new kingpins and bushes, new brake linings etc. The interior was
retrimmed with new front seat covers, new door cards, new headlining, new
carpets and new sunroof – the back seat is original.
Although there are no invoices for all this work, the vendor
estimates that he spent over £5,000 on parts and untold hours of labour over a
two-year period. He states that he has done over 400 trouble-free miles in the
car since the restoration was completed.
The
history file includes the V5C, buff logbook, useful technical literature and
various pre-war Riley books.
On offer here at a
very enticing guide price, this rare and handsome Kestrel now needs a new
custodian who can continue to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
For more information contact James on 07970
309907 or email [email protected]