The Riley 12/4 – or 1½-litre – was launched in 1935 and was the vintage equivalent of a hot hatch, with impressive handling and way above average performance for a car of its era.
It was extremely popular with enthusiastic drivers thanks to its 70mph cruising ability, which still raises a few eyebrows today. Indeed, had it not been for World War Two, it would probably have enjoyed a much longer production run than the four years it eventually managed.
After the war the 12/4 was an extremely sought after car, not so much in itself as for its engine, which was massively popular with racers, hillclimbers and trials drivers.
And that means it’s an extremely rare car today.
This example is a 1937 ‘Adelphi’, which was the name that Riley gave to its six-light saloon variant, and is fitted with the optional pre-select gearbox.
Subject to a full restoration 15 years ago, it still looks lovely today.
There’s a lever arch file supplied with the Riley holding a huge file of bills and receipts, a number of which are from Blue Diamond Services, known as the UK’s most experienced and knowledgeable Riley specialist. The vendor tells us there are about 100 invoices / receipts in the file and over 100 photographs in the restoration album
There’s also an overview of all the expenditure on the car running to over £27000 during the restoration, in which over £9000 was spent in 2010 on a complete engine and gearbox rebuild by Blue Diamond. Since then the car has covered less than 5,000 miles.
Other important receipts include one for the front seats being reframed and reupholstered, and a further receipt for almost £1,000 documenting full service as well as some cosmetic fettling late last year.
Finished in classy Dove Grey, the Riley looks absolutely fabulous, its swooping art deco curves beautifully offset by its smart blue wire wheels.
The paint finish is smart all over with only a couple of very minor marks, while most of the chrome is original and is in preserved rather than restored condition. There’s some mild tarnishing in places, but in many ways this adds to the car’s general patina and builds its character, rather than form any kind of detraction.
Meanwhile, an album of restoration photographs documents the extensive work carried out on the car, including repairs to the panels and chassis that were professionally and very neatly carried out.
It has a sliding metal sunroof which works as it should and age sympathetic flashing direction indicators have been fitted.
It’s a lovely looking car and a great example of one of the rarer 12/4 body styles.
Much like the exterior, the interior of the Riley has been restored, but not over-restored. All of the leather and carpets are in superb order, as is the roof lining, but it hasn’t been overdone.
The dash is original, as are the delicate Jaeger dials, which show some signs of discoloration but nothing more than you’d expect from a car that’s over 80 years old.
It’s a wonderfully charming and pleasant place to spend time.
The Riley is powered by a four-cylinder 1,496 cc "12/4 Engine", from which it gets its name, with a Zenith carburettor. Designed by engineer Hugh Rose, it was based on the 1920s Riley Nine engine but with some significant changes including the cylinder block and crankcase being cast as one unit.
It was an extremely advanced power plant for its day with twin camshafts mounted high in the engine block, its twin cam nature making it revvy and ripe for performance upgrades. Even today, it doesn’t feel out of its depth in modern traffic.
Don’t push it too hard, though. It still has rod brakes and semi-elliptic leaf springs, so while it handles extremely well for a car of its era, it’s still quite an old-fashioned thing. And that just adds to its charm.
This example uses Riley’s four-speed pre-select transmission – essentially the precursor of today’s semi-automatics. The owner reports that it takes some getting used to, but is wonderful to use.
The engine has also been converted to run on lead free petrol.
This is a lovely pre-war car and one that is held in very high esteem in Riley circles, thanks in no small part to its fabulous twin cam engine.
With much of its history known, a photographic record of an extremely comprehensive restoration and a stack of bills and receipts documenting a no-expense-spared approach to maintenance in more recent times, it also has the pedigree to go with its obvious and wonderfully endearing charm.
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1937 Riley 12/4 Adelphi
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