1931 Riley Alpine 14/6 Saloon – Classified of the Week

There is a charm and attraction that comes with pre-war cars that others can’t quite match. They exist today as cars laden with a captivating aesthetic of ‘how things were’ before the advent of computers, mass production and the now ubiquitous monocoque design. They hark from a time when driving truly was a privilege, not the right people take it as today. Cars back then were the result of free-thinking designers, who had to make a car that stood out. They weren’t hampered or hindered by rules and regulations. It was car design for the sake of car design, and we love that.

This Riley Alpine 14/6 is a car that encapsulates all that completely. But more than that, it does so in a way that is as close to originality as possible. It’s not a survivor, but a restored car. And while survivor cars of any period are something to be cherished, they also have, by their very nature, the odd creak and moan from age. This Riley, having been extensively restored some nine years ago, does not. It’s still tight as a drum and new, as it would have been back in ‘31.

The fabric body is new, the chassis fresh and painted, the suspension supple and without wear and the interior is clean, neat and boasting fresh leather. Then of course there is the engine, a small capacity six-cylinder (just 1,633cc), it was completely rebuilt by marque specialist, Keith Pointing, and has covered fewer than 8,000 miles since. It starts without hesitation, and is quiet and impressively smooth.

This is the kind of machine you could use for fair weather jaunts, you could take it to shows, you could enter it in period rallies or thanks to being a four-seater, you could simply use it as a weekend toy that the whole family can enjoy.

If you want a pre-war car that you can jump in and enjoy without care or worry, this is it. A further bonus is to be had by way of the manufacturer. There is a significant following for all things Riley, meaning ongoing upkeep, repairs and maintenance are never going to be an issue. It’s near immaculate, it comes with a raft of history and it’s mechanically tip-top. There really is nothing to be put off by with this beautiful old Riley.