Riley 1.5

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Don’t see many of these cars on the road now, I think they are the sporting version of the Wolsley 1.5. I would be interested to hear from a long term PHer (riley1.5)in here his thoughts on these cars.

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Riley Blue said:

What would you like to know? I have two, one on the road and used regularly from April to October, the other in pieces and at the present rate of progress likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Their BMC B-series engine is the same as in an early MGA and is easily tuneable, Peter Burgess is probably the best known 'head & block man'. Suspension is torsion bar and lever arm dampers up front, leaf springs and lever arm dampers at the rear so unsophisticated by today's standards. Brakes are drums all round, quite good but a servo can be fitted with front disc conversions available.

Appearance-wise they look quite staid but they make decent race and rally cars in the right hands; a replica of Les Leston's race car is due to debut this year.

We've driven all over the UK and to France in ours and take part in HRCR navigational events and there are a few other One-Point-Fives that take part in more competitive events.

Thank you. you have a P.M.

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Keep it stiff said:

Take a look at the Oxford Uni Motorsports web site, they run two Riley 1.5s and the one I have been competing against for the last few years is very rapid indeed!

http://www.oumf.org/our-cars.html

Thanks for response and great link.

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Penny Whistle said:

Nice little cars, in some ways an up-market Morris Minor. The Riley had twin carbs compared to the Wolseley's single. They gained a bit of a reputation for tramping and also for snapping halfshafts if not treated with respect.

I had noticed one or two cars mentioning new halfshafts fitted !

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^^^^^
Thank you.

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Still looking for a nice Riley one point five or a Wolesley 1500, didn’t think it would be such a difficult car to track down!

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angliaone said:

There is a Wolseley 1500 in this weekends Anglia car auctions

Yes, thanks for posting I have spotted one and it looks to be in good order. I did e research on it and it was last auctioned by Matthewsons September last year for £7500. wonder why it’s up for auction again, and that puts me off a little. I may go and have a look.

I did tell myself not to buy auction again having burnt my. fingers previously.

Edited by crankedup5 on Thursday 30th March 16:58

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jeremyc said:

crankedup5 said:

Still looking for a nice Riley one point five or a Wolesley 1500, didn’t think it would be such a difficult car to track down!

There are six Wolesley 1500s and two Riley 1.5s listed on Car & Classic at the moment.

Thanks, yes I have seen them but not quite what I’m after for various reasons. Shouldn’t be so fussy really considering the budget.

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Penny Whistle said:

Riley Blue said:

I'll make further enquiries tomorrow.

Can you check whether 357NHW is still around ? The first car I had that I really liked ... back around 1970.

To the OP - I really think that the Riley is a lot more attractive than the Wolseley, both in terms of the front end styling and the dashboard. And of course it has those twin SUs. Wow.

Yes I agree, the Riley is certainly a better prospect, I need to be patient for the right car to pop up.

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Riley Blue said:

crankedup5 said:

jeremyc said:

crankedup5 said:

Still looking for a nice Riley one point five or a Wolesley 1500, didn’t think it would be such a difficult car to track down!

There are six Wolesley 1500s and two Riley 1.5s listed on Car & Classic at the moment.

Thanks, yes I have seen them but not quite what I’m after for various reasons. Shouldn’t be so fussy really considering the budget.

The beige/ivory car could be worth a close look. First registered 11/02/63, fully restored 2006-7 by a well known Riley enthusiast. Has changed hands at least four times since though sensibly updated from what I can see in the photos.

The car at Manor auctions I assume.
Very smart looking car with a eye popping spec’, extremely tempting but I wonder if it’s a little to full on. Although 100bhp doesn’t seem to be over egged? Seriously tempting.

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Riley Blue said:

crankedup5 said:

Riley Blue said:

crankedup5 said:

jeremyc said:

crankedup5 said:

Still looking for a nice Riley one point five or a Wolesley 1500, didn’t think it would be such a difficult car to track down!

There are six Wolesley 1500s and two Riley 1.5s listed on Car & Classic at the moment.

Thanks, yes I have seen them but not quite what I’m after for various reasons. Shouldn’t be so fussy really considering the budget.

The beige/ivory car could be worth a close look. First registered 11/02/63, fully restored 2006-7 by a well known Riley enthusiast. Has changed hands at least four times since though sensibly updated from what I can see in the photos.

The car at Manor auctions I assume.
Very smart looking car with a eye popping spec’, extremely tempting but I wonder if it’s a little to full on. Although 100bhp doesn’t seem to be over egged? Seriously tempting.

That's the one. There's nothing on it that I wouldn't have on mine apart from the rust bubbles.

I don’t think the modifications would affect reliability to a great extent? The rust, well yes that needs sorting as a matter of urgency, but if it’s restricted to a couple of panel areas perhaps not to expensive to have fixed. I may well have a bid on it.

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Thanks david, your comments are helpful and appreciated.
We do have a very good car bodywork repairer in my Town, but of course as you mention rust can be well hidden. Some pals of mine dropped in their rather lovely Volvo Amazon to their repairers for a little ‘titivation’ in ended up a full structural rebuild stripped down to the last nut and bolt
But the Riley does look a strong car, a trip up North beckons I reckon.

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^^^^
Blimey that’s scary, I will have a good poke around but as you say hidden rust is usually lurking. Sixty years old I expect most have some rust.
Back in the day our ‘courting car’ was a Wolesley 1500, that was fifty five years ago! my wife was diagnosed with dementia last year, going back will be very beneficial for her. (and me).

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Getting my ducks in line waiting for the auction day, I will post success or fail on my bid.

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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^^^^^^^
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.

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thanks chaps.