Riley 1.5

[Lester H]

Riley Blue said:

Lester H said:

Given that the Riley and Wolseley are so similar but there were lots more Wolseley sold, would it not make economic sense to look for one of these. Apart from the addition of a rev counter, the Wolseley is equally plush with leather seats, many two tone, and the veneered dash with wood fillets on the A pillars and internal window sills, chrome gearstick at al. The Riley front appearance is more sporting, but it would be fairly easy to install the twin SU carbs onto a Wolseley. As these appear more staid, as befits the original badge engineering marketing of a ‘posh Minor’ , I wonder if more Wolseley will have survived in redeemable order. All a hell of a long time ago ,though!

OK, let's see what I remember off the top of my head...

The mechanical differences are more than just twin carbs e.g. the Riley has a different cam and bigger brakes so you'd need to do more than fit twin carbs. I've an idea there are other difference but can't remember them at the moment, essentially the Riley engine is the same as an early MGA.

Later Rileys didn't have wood fillets on the A pillars and they also had a parcel shelf. Later models also had a lower ride height - I'm not sure whether these also apply to Wolseley badged cars. Not all Wolseley cars have leather seats; there was a 'fleet' model that didn't.

Clearly an answer from an expert. My grandfather had a new Wolseley 1500 from Glovers of Ripon, then a 16/60 which seemed to me like the height of luxury. When he decided it was boring and sluggish ,he ordered a Sunbeam Rapier in a shade called Moonstone, with a cream flash. Seats were cream, piped in ‘moonstone’ That was half a cut above the BMC stuff as he specified overdrive and Dunlop wire wheels with the octagonal nuts rather than knock off spinners. The fully disappearing rear windows were a real attraction, too. A great pity that the Rootes cars rusted ( front wing to A pillar) as they were - or seemed to a small schoolboy- highly attractive.

[crankedup5]

It’s really a situation for me as to which of the two cars appears on the market, it’s appeal to me wether that’s the Riley or Wolesley. The appeal and condition together of course with budget.

[Turbobanana]

Lester H said:

A great pity that the Rootes cars rusted ( front wing to A pillar) as they were - or seemed to a small schoolboy- highly attractive.

If it was just visible rust it would have been OK.

I had an Avenger 1500. One night I had to brake quite sharply to avoid a Transit on the wrong side of the road, and noticed the car veered to the right (ie into the path of the Transit ).

Disaster narrowly avoided, I decided once home to have a quick look under the bonnet to see if anything was obviously amiss. The front chassis leg, together with all the suspension pickup points, was detached from the remainder of the car and I suspect was held in place by the steering arm. The car was driven gingerly to the scrappy next morning and weighed-in.

[Riley Blue]

To return to the Riley One-Point-Five, I haven't been able to find out anything further about MCF 25 and 357 NHW; neither is listed in the latest update to the register - sorry.

[Penny Whistle]

Riley Blue said:

To return to the Riley One-Point-Five, I haven't been able to find out anything further about MCF 25 and 357 NHW; neither is listed in the latest update to the register - sorry.

Thanks for looking.

[tr7v8]

Turbobanana said:

Lester H said:

A great pity that the Rootes cars rusted ( front wing to A pillar) as they were - or seemed to a small schoolboy- highly attractive.

If it was just visible rust it would have been OK.

I had an Avenger 1500. One night I had to brake quite sharply to avoid a Transit on the wrong side of the road, and noticed the car veered to the right (ie into the path of the Transit ).

Disaster narrowly avoided, I decided once home to have a quick look under the bonnet to see if anything was obviously amiss. The front chassis leg, together with all the suspension pickup points, was detached from the remainder of the car and I suspect was held in place by the steering arm. The car was driven gingerly to the scrappy next morning and weighed-in.

Not just Brit stuff. My brother had a Passat Estate and it had a decent length MOT on it. Sitting in the back one day I idly looked at the floor & noticed that there was a gap between the floor and the sill structure which opened up over bumps and certain corners
A week or so later we drove it to the scrappy & weighed it in. The scrappy knew us well & was shocked to see a respectable looking Passat driven in. We told them how bad it was.

[Penny Whistle]

Here you go

[crankedup5]

This popped up on my facebook, has to be a bargain at the current bid price under 10k.

[Riley Blue]

crankedup5 said:

This popped up on my facebook, has to be a bargain at the current bid price under 10k.

It's a very well prepared and maintained car, worth a close look.

[Riley Blue]

A very short video of the yellow/black car in action:

[crankedup5]

Riley Blue said:

A very short video of the yellow/black car in action:

Not quite me on my way to Tesco . looks sharp though.

ETA : looking at the riley one point five at Manor auctions, looks like I have come across a problem
for myself. Heavily modded car but no mention of the V5 and no mention of DVLA notified of the mods made.As these mods are extensive it could present me with a big problem in the event I purchase the car. Looks like I will have to think again now which is a great pity for me. But I don’t want a car that’s a World of pain with the DVLA registration.

Edited by crankedup5 on Monday 10th April 15:57

[tr7v8]

crankedup5 said:

Riley Blue said:

A very short video of the yellow/black car in action:


Not quite me on my way to Tesco . looks sharp though.

ETA : looking at the riley one point five at Manor auctions, looks like I have come across a problem
for myself. Heavily modded car but no mention of the V5 and no mention of DVLA notified of the mods made.As these mods are extensive it could present me with a big problem in the event I purchase the car. Looks like I will have to think again now which is a great pity for me. But I don’t want a car that’s a World of pain with the DVLA registration.

Edited by crankedup5 on Monday 10th April 15:57

What do DVLA need notifying off. Revised engine number and capacity? That's all. Otherwise nothing else.

[crankedup5]

tr7v8 said:

crankedup5 said:

Riley Blue said:

A very short video of the yellow/black car in action:


Not quite me on my way to Tesco . looks sharp though.

ETA : looking at the riley one point five at Manor auctions, looks like I have come across a problem
for myself. Heavily modded car but no mention of the V5 and no mention of DVLA notified of the mods made.As these mods are extensive it could present me with a big problem in the event I purchase the car. Looks like I will have to think again now which is a great pity for me. But I don’t want a car that’s a World of pain with the DVLA registration.

Edited by crankedup5 on Monday 10th April 15:57

What do DVLA need notifying off. Revised engine number and capacity? That's all. Otherwise nothing else.

Unfortunately it’s a lot more than engine number &. capacity. It’s the full works, which is what attracted the car to me! gearbox, chassis, brakes, suspension. DVLA aware now apparently require all the information and then decide wether to issue a new V5 for a modified car. Reading up other people’s experience has put me off buying the car. Bloody pity I would love to have the cance of enjoying the drive.
If I don’t notify and then be involved in an accident - doesn’t bear thinking about the consequences.
Gutted.

[M4cruiser]

This thread brought back memories.
I didn't have one, but friends up the road in the late 60s did, and they loved it.
They were the only people I knew who moved house across the road. I.e. to the house opposite.

[tr7v8]

crankedup5 said:

tr7v8 said:

crankedup5 said:

Riley Blue said:

A very short video of the yellow/black car in action:


Not quite me on my way to Tesco . looks sharp though.

ETA : looking at the riley one point five at Manor auctions, looks like I have come across a problem
for myself. Heavily modded car but no mention of the V5 and no mention of DVLA notified of the mods made.As these mods are extensive it could present me with a big problem in the event I purchase the car. Looks like I will have to think again now which is a great pity for me. But I don’t want a car that’s a World of pain with the DVLA registration.

Edited by crankedup5 on Monday 10th April 15:57

What do DVLA need notifying off. Revised engine number and capacity? That's all. Otherwise nothing else.

Unfortunately it’s a lot more than engine number &. capacity. It’s the full works, which is what attracted the car to me! gearbox, chassis, brakes, suspension. DVLA aware now apparently require all the information and then decide wether to issue a new V5 for a modified car. Reading up other people’s experience has put me off buying the car. Bloody pity I would love to have the cance of enjoying the drive.
If I don’t notify and then be involved in an accident - doesn’t bear thinking about the consequences.
Gutted.

Yup gearbox is different but no way for DVLA to be notified of that. Chassis is plated but otherwise unmodified & suspension is unchanged, replacing levers with teles makes no difference to the DVLA, they define changes as live axle to independent or similar.

[crankedup5]

^^^^^^^
Thanks for input, I appreciate that you are posting to assist me. However, having just read up the article on classic car modifications and DVLA I have, with reluctance, decided to continue my search. At some point something will pop up on the market.

[Riley Blue]

crankedup5 said:

^^^^^^^
Thanks for input, I appreciate that you are posting to assist me. However, having just read up the article on classic car modifications and DVLA I have, with reluctance, decided to continue my search. At some point something will pop up on the market.

That's a shame as I too think your fears are unfounded. Good luck in your continuing search and if I hear of anything I'll drop you a line.

[eccles]

There was one of each at the monthly autojumble at Rickinghall last weekend. A very nice cream over grey Riley, and a Wolsely in grey. Just in case you wanted to have a closer look at one in the flesh.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1021926960176...

[crankedup5]

thanks chaps.

[Penny Whistle]

I can only distinguish early 1.5s from later ones by the shape of the chrome trim around the front indicators. Does anyone know when it was changed, and are there any other differences ?