1935 Riley 12/4 Kestrel

1935 Riley 12/4 Kestrel:

Date of first registration: 8th January 1935

Registration: BNU 82

Chassis Number: 22T751

Introduced in 1935, the 12/4 engine built on Riley’s success of the early 30s. Similar in design to the 9 but numerous improvements and larger capacity at 1495cc, the engine achieved the same RAC horsepower rating and went on to replace the 12/6 engine. At launch the 12/4 was available as a Falcon body or a Kestrel body which was essentially the 12/6 Kestrel with shorter bonnet.

This particular car was first registered on the 8th January 1935 and supplied by Sanderson & Holmes of Derby with the registration, BNU 82, that it still wears today.

The car was restored by a previous owner in Scotland between 1985 and 1991 and is a fine example of these rare early 12/4 Kestrels. Painted in Old English White with Brown wings and light brown interior in excellent condition, the car is in fine mechanical order and pulls and brakes well with 60mph cruising being easily achievable.

The 12/4 engine is fitted with a Zenith carburettor and mated to a preselect gearbox with ‘traffic’ clutch. The engine is very smooth with an almost silent tickover. The steering is also light even at low speed making this a very easy and pleasing car to drive.

A large history file comes with the car with past photographs and all receipts and invoices of work. This car has been well cherished and cared for through it’s life and is now a rare, attractive Riley model with good road performance and practicality with comfortable seating and large boot space.