1932 Riley 9 Gamecock ('Special Series' engine) For Sale

A lovely 1932 Riley 9 Gamecock
Chassis number: 6015963
Engine number: 054316
In 1932 Riley launched a new version of its Riley Nine chassis called the ‘Plus Ultra’. This was considerably stiffer than previously and also enabled a lower seating position, which creates more room inside the cabin. To capitalize on the sporting nature of the chassis, the two-seater sports tourer (Gamecock) was launched. This model probably represents the best value 2-seater sports Riley in today’s market.

This is a unique opportunity to acquire a 1932 Riley 9 Gamecock, now a rare car with about 50 known to exist today. It is an attractive 2-seat sports tourer with a real boot, which with its adjustable and very comfortable pneumatic seats can accommodate both small and larger people with ample leg and arm room. It is an original car with many subtle improvements, and all done with the highest quality materials and workmanship with much attention to detail.

The Gamecock is so called after the Gloster Gamecock biplane fighter; it had a fold-flat screen for that essential raffish look but was also equipped with full weather equipment and a long, flat tail that housed a large boot capable of swallowing all the luggage a couple might need on a long touring holiday. Powered by the marque’s highly regarded 1, 087cc twin-cam four cylinder engine, coupled to four-speed manual transmission with a Brooklands remote, it could achieve >70mph. The Gamecock remained in production until 1934 amounting to ~750 cars.

This particular Gamecock, first registered in Lympstone, Devon, in January 1932, was owned by well-known Riley aficionado, from 1964 until 2007. when it was acquired by a friend of the family. I have owned the car for 7 years. Between 1982 and 1988 the car was treated to a total ‘ground up’ restoration, with incredible attention to detail (eg provision for fitting aero screens, rear trunnions are now provided with grease nipples for lubrication, direction indicators), which results in the superb example you see today.

The majority of the mechanical work was undertaken by Fiennes Restoration of Bampton, while the body was restored with a strengthened ash frame and lightened body panels by Clanfield Coachworks of Oxford. The blue leather interior was re-trimmed by Alpine Eagle of Bampton. Further work was also undertaken in the 1990s by noted marque specialists Barrie Gillies of Bradfield and Blue Diamond Services of Langport. In total nearly £50, 000 was spent to bring the car up to this exceptional standard with many bills to substantiate in the extensive history box-file.

The engine is a twin carb ‘Special Series’ unit with high compression pistons, Merlin crank and con rods, twin exhaust cams, coil ignition and a lightened flywheel. More potent than standard (42bhp at 3600rpm) with >50bhp at 4800rpm and 60+ lb-ft torque at 2500rpm, the car with a nominal unladen weight of 865kg drives superbly; it is tractable and will happily keep pace with modern A-road traffic. It has a full set of matching weather gear including hood (double ducking), side-screens and tonneau cover, all in excellent condition.

Featured in Profile Publications No 76 Riley Cars, the car comes with a very large history box-file of the rebuild. It also has a VSCC eligibility form from 1990, although a new owner would need to re-apply. The car is in excellent running order having done just less than 15, 000 miles since the rebuild, although it has been very little used in the last few years. It was a concours car after the restoration, and it is now even better with a lovely mellow patina from being used. It is possibly the best example in existence today, taking into account both condition and specification and is priced accordingly with offers invited based on the asking price. More pictures available on request. Reluctant sale to create space and funds for new project.

Information on CD about the rebuild:

Engine
Engine uprated - ~55 bhp at the crank dyno tested engine out.
She’s got 67/ 27 cams; lightened flywheel; high compression pistons 8. 5:1; new crank and rods; full flow oil cooler; shell bearings; skimmed head; ported, gas-flowed and polished; runs on unleaded with Castrol Valvemaster Plus; new valve guides; new collet type valves; new fuel pump; distributor with auto advance.
Carbs uprated to twin 1-1/ 8 H2’s with ported and gas-flowed head and manifold.
She runs with 40-50 lbs oil pressure normal running temperature.

Running Gear
Running on Michelin DR Comfort 4. 75x19 fitted with new Classico inners.
Brake drums skimmed and relined; set up and balanced with a new cable
She has a close ratio gearbox and a 5:1 back axle.
Wheels respoked as required and painted.
New shock absorbers supplied and uprated – gaiters fitted to rear leaf springs.
Complete new wiring loom.

Trim
All the trim, hood, tonneau and side screens were replaced. Carpets replaced throughout including boot. New floors make it waterproof.
All gauges refurbished as required with the clock replaced by a matching rev-counter.
Windscreen surround modified to take aero screens and special Perspex side fly screens designed and fitted. All items have storage pockets (in boot) to match trim.
Lamps re-silvered and indicators fitted for modern traffic.
New Mahogany dash made and fitted

Body
A complete new ash frame was made and all the skins replaced where possible. The frame has been upgraded in cross-section.
New Radiator supplied and fitted. Fan re-fitted as original specification.
All bright work was re-chromed.
17, yes that’s seventeen, coats of paint applied.

General
The car went through a complete rebuild ground up from 1982-8.
The car will motor quite happily at 55-60 all day (2800-3000 rpm) with reserves of power - she'll quite happily rev to 5000 and you'll be doing 85mph.
The car has been maintained by Blue Diamond Services since the mid 80's.

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