Just bought a Riley One-Point-Five

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Discussion

ClaphamGT3

Original Poster:

11,679 posts

256 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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A few of you may remember my A35 thread, looking for a 'cute' 50s/60s classic car that I could enjoy with my 15 year-old daughter.

I stumbled across this earlier in the week, went to view this morning and did the deal

https://www.rsvintage.co.uk/for-sale-1/1961-riley-...

Expect lots of questions about upgrading to front discs and where to get seatbelts installed

Granadier

788 posts

40 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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Funnily enough I watched a review of a Riley 1.5 by I Drive A Classic on YouTube the other day. Seemed an impressive model

Hoofy

78,329 posts

295 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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Congrats! Looks like a fun first car.

Ambleton

7,062 posts

205 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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Oh yes that's excellent.

Good purchase.

Un-fked A35s are amazing hard to find. The racers have snapped them all up!

Always easier to start with the best one you can find!

grumpynuts

1,006 posts

173 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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Great little cars, I learnt to drive a car in one of these when i was 12, my dad was given it as it had failed its mot and as he had some land i could tear around it.He bought me a gallon of petrol and when it ran out my playtime stopped.Grey with red interior, lovely wooden dashnoard, and for a petrolhead kid, heaven was the rev counter. Enjoy the car, they hold great memories for me.I am 62 now so was a long time ago.

Mercdriver

2,977 posts

46 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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I think midget discs and pads are a straight fit, does it have lever dampers like a midget? Worth changing to coil overs?

vixen1700

25,641 posts

283 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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Nice one!

Alex Z

1,705 posts

89 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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That’s really nice. Should be more fun to drive with the upgrades too.

ferret50

2,065 posts

22 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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Wonder if an MG B engine/overdrive 'box would fit?.....

hehe

Riley Blue

22,133 posts

239 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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An excellent choice but I would think that, wouldn't I?

It looks a good car with some useful modifications, the only additional one I'd add would be a front anti-roll bar (a Morris Minor kit will fit) it makes quite a difference.

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/front-suspension...

Discs are a good idea considering engine upgrade but don't expect a massive improvement. Also available from the above, as are telescopic damper kits.

Seat belts are easy, Securon are OK:

http://www.securon.co.uk/applications/app_list/nto...

or you could go for a more period look from QuikFit:

https://www.quickfitsbs.com

There's an excellent FB group for Riley One-Point-Fives and Wolseley 1500s, it's a good place to source spares and the Admin is a nice bloke...




vixen1700

25,641 posts

283 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
quotequote all
ferret50 said:
Wonder if an MG B engine/overdrive 'box would fit?.....

hehe
Am I due a parrot. confused

That's what it has.

Mercdriver

2,977 posts

46 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think

Mr Tidy

26,098 posts

140 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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That looks great - congratulations. thumbup

Panamax

5,760 posts

47 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
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vixen1700 said:
That's what it has.
Which is why those front discs are urgent. The expression "standing on the brakes" has real meaning in these old crocks. Nonetheless, how fast do you really want to go in it?

vixen1700

25,641 posts

283 months

Saturday 12th October 2024
quotequote all
Mercdriver said:
Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think
Looking at the advert, it's an 1800 conversion.

Riley Blue

22,133 posts

239 months

Sunday 13th October 2024
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vixen1700 said:
Mercdriver said:
Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think
Looking at the advert, it's an 1800 conversion.
The early, three main bearing crank, MGB engine slots straight into a One-Point-Five; no modifications to the shell are necessary.

ferret50

2,065 posts

22 months

Sunday 13th October 2024
quotequote all
Riley Blue said:
vixen1700 said:
Mercdriver said:
Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think
Looking at the advert, it's an 1800 conversion.
The early, three main bearing crank, MGB engine slots straight into a One-Point-Five; no modifications to the shell are necessary.
What about the o/d 'box, RB, will it clear the tunnel?

According to the linked advert, 'MGB engine, o/d 'box and rear axle' have been fitted. Assuming 14'' wheels it should be geared at a sensible 20mph/1000rpm.

Riley Blue

22,133 posts

239 months

Sunday 13th October 2024
quotequote all
ferret50 said:
Riley Blue said:
vixen1700 said:
Mercdriver said:
Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think
Looking at the advert, it's an 1800 conversion.
The early, three main bearing crank, MGB engine slots straight into a One-Point-Five; no modifications to the shell are necessary.
What about the o/d 'box, RB, will it clear the tunnel?

According to the linked advert, 'MGB engine, o/d 'box and rear axle' have been fitted. Assuming 14'' wheels it should be geared at a sensible 20mph/1000rpm.
The overdrive I'm not sure about. I've only seen one fitted and that needed some work on the tunnel. An alternative is to fit a Ford Type 9 five-speed 'box, conversion kits are available e.g.:

https://hi-gearengineering.co.uk/mga-5-speed-gearb...

Shy Torque

580 posts

200 months

Sunday 13th October 2024
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This one does very well at my local hill climbs.

Panamax

5,760 posts

47 months

Sunday 13th October 2024
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Shy Torque said:
This one does very well at my local hill climbs.
It's probably another MGB in disguise. That front anti-roll bar sure as hell wasn't standard equipment and I note the wing mirrors are folded in for aerodynamic efficiency!