Riley 1.5

[Riley Blue]

Penny Whistle said:

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 ?

Mk1s (from Nov 1957) had external bonnet and boot hinges with early style small rear lights.

Mk2s (from May 1960) had concealed bonnet and boot hinges with early style small rear lights plus interior parcel shelf.

Mk3s (from October 1961) had concealed bonnet and boot hinges with larger rear lights and new front chrome trim and side/indicators.

There were a few minor mechanical changes in later cars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riley_One-Point-Five...

[angliaone]

There's a Riley 1.5 at Anglia Classic auctions this weekend

[Riley Blue]

angliaone said:

There's a Riley 1.5 at Anglia Classic auctions this weekend

Body work looks slightly frilly here and there though not too bad and interior looks OK in the auction pics. Doesn't appear to have sold though:

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/2...

[I-am-the-reverend]

Riley Blue said:

Mk1s (from Nov 1957) had external bonnet and boot hinges with early style small rear lights.

Mk2s (from May 1960) had concealed bonnet and boot hinges with early style small rear lights plus interior parcel shelf.

Mk3s (from October 1961) had concealed bonnet and boot hinges with larger rear lights and new front chrome trim and side/indicators.

There were a few minor mechanical changes in later cars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riley_One-Point-Five...

The Mark III Riley also had lowered suspension iirc - about an inch or so.

[j4r4lly]

My Dad had a Riley 1.5 which he still talks about. He had applied for a new job which came with a "quality" company car. Upon finding that he had been successful, he reluctantly decided to sell the Riley and was somewhat surprised when he started the job and was presented with a Ford Anglia estate which had been his predecessors car!

He regarded the Anglia as a distinct downgrade from the Riley and decided that he was going to kill the Anglia and get them to give him something more appropriate. Despite driving the Anglia everywhere like Stirling Moss, it refused to break and he begrudgingly quite admired it.

On one trip from London to Devon, long before there was the M4 or M5 or even much of the A303 as we now know it, he was with friends who had an MGB and complained that they were struggling to keep up with him.

He'd still love another Riley but being 87 now I think it's unlikely to happen.

[Penny Whistle]

j4r4lly said:

He'd still love another Riley but being 87 now I think it's unlikely to happen.

You should find one to borrow/rent for a treat on his next birthday.

[uk66fastback]

Riley Blue said:

angliaone said:

There's a Riley 1.5 at Anglia Classic auctions this weekend

Body work looks slightly frilly here and there though not too bad and interior looks OK in the auction pics. Doesn't appear to have sold though:

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/2...

Made just over £5k.

[MisterNick]

There's another one at Anglia Car Auctions in November

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/2...

[Riley Blue]

MisterNick said:

There's another one at Anglia Car Auctions in November

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/2...

A good looking Mk 1 with some useful additions, first registered 17th February 1958. It was still in the original owner's family in 2010. Sold on Ebay 2011.

[uk66fastback]

I think that’s a really nice example …

[Riley Blue]

uk66fastback said:

I think that’s a really nice example …

Photos of the underside needed and of known rust spots; there are signs of it on the rear door skins and in the engine bay near the battery.

[ClaphamGT3]

Riley Blue said:

uk66fastback said:

I think that’s a really nice example …

Photos of the underside needed and of known rust spots; there are signs of it on the rear door skins and in the engine bay near the battery.

Is it just me or does the ride height look completely wrong - especially at the rear?

[Penny Whistle]

After-market reversing lamps - the original presumably wasn't bright enough.

[Skyedriver]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Riley Blue said:

uk66fastback said:

I think that’s a really nice example …

Photos of the underside needed and of known rust spots; there are signs of it on the rear door skins and in the engine bay near the battery.

Is it just me or does the ride height look completely wrong - especially at the rear?

Were these torsion bars at the front like the Moggy? Either they are wrong or the rear has new springs I suspect.
With all cars, bidding on photos is a risky business, the rear wheel arches could be all filler. I was a cataloy specialist in the 70's and 80's and these are old British cars.

[Riley Blue]

Skyedriver said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

Riley Blue said:

uk66fastback said:

I think that’s a really nice example …

Photos of the underside needed and of known rust spots; there are signs of it on the rear door skins and in the engine bay near the battery.

Is it just me or does the ride height look completely wrong - especially at the rear?

Were these torsion bars at the front like the Moggy? Either they are wrong or the rear has new springs I suspect.
With all cars, bidding on photos is a risky business, the rear wheel arches could be all filler. I was a cataloy specialist in the 70's and 80's and these are old British cars.

I would guess at new rear springs too. Front looks right, torsion bars there. Repair panels are available but are horrendously expensive and the only manufacturer has a very long lead time.

[I-am-the-reverend]

The fact that it still exists is a miracle. A mate and I towed one to a scrapyard in Summer 1979 and they were pretty scarce then.

The ride height is nothing some lowering blocks won't fix. The rust? Yes, they do that.

If you want one, buy it, use it, fix it. These were rotten 50 years ago. For £4-5000 it's not a bad deal. You'll pay that for a Minor 1000.

[ClaphamGT3]

I have always wanted one of these, ever since one of my brother's friends had one as his 1st car in the early 80s.

I think my problem is that I've allowed myself to become too specific in what I want, whilst lacking quite enough enthusiasm to create it.

In my mind's eye, it is a patina'd Series 1 car with two tone paintwork (ivory and pale blue or Battle ship grey and claret, running on minilites with a 1.8 engine and gearbox upgrade and uprated brakes and suspension (but with all the original bits safely stored away)

[Penny Whistle]

ClaphamGT3 said:

In my mind's eye, it is a patina'd Series 1 car with two tone paintwork (ivory and pale blue or Battle ship grey and claret, running on minilites with a 1.8 engine and gearbox upgrade and uprated brakes and suspension (but with all the original bits safely stored away)

You'll be wanting to beef up the halfshafts.

[uk66fastback]

I’d be more than proud to turn up at a classic meet in a car like this. I love the front fog/driving light size/set up …

[Riley Blue]

Penny Whistle said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

In my mind's eye, it is a patina'd Series 1 car with two tone paintwork (ivory and pale blue or Battle ship grey and claret, running on minilites with a 1.8 engine and gearbox upgrade and uprated brakes and suspension (but with all the original bits safely stored away)

You'll be wanting to beef up the halfshafts.

Though snapped half shafts are frequently mentioned as a failing, outside of competition cars I've never met anyone who has had it happen. The 1.8 engine upgrade may be the 'final straw' though, I'll let you know if I ever get around to fitting mine.