1936 Riley Kestrel 12/4 Six Light.
Registration number DMK56 (Original).
Price new: £354.00.
Subject of a massive £35K restoration, this car is presented in superb order.
The body is a rare six light with fastback styling making for a very rakish car. It is powered by the marque's jewel-like 1494cc twin cam four cylinder engine allied to a four speed pre selector manual transmission; a great improvement over the then prevailing crash gearboxes.
The 12/4 had 50% more capacity then the Riley 9 which significantly improves performance. In its day it was the fastest car in its class with a performance equal to cars two or three times it's engine size according to contemporary reports. It is a relatively light car as unlike it's steel competitors, the Riley was still coachbuilt with aluminium panels mounted onto an ash frame.
DMK 56 is an early six light Kestrel 12/4 first registered on 6th April 1936. The car has a well documented history with 4 owners on the original buff log book. The car boasts a really large sunroof for semi al-fresco summer motoring. The car sports a wealth of delightful period detail items wherever one looks; from the kestrel mascot at the front to the rear mounted spare cover.
The recent owner Mr. Pearson of Basingstoke embarked upon a stem to stern restoration costing over £35,000. He finished the car in it's war time livery of black over ivory. (It was originally painted ivory, but the first owner, a Liverpool doctor drove the car at night & was advised that all upward facing surfaces be painted black to escape the attentions of the Luftwaffe.(apparently it worked!)
The restoration included a complete leather retrim, new headlining & Wilton carpets. Great care was taken in the selection of hides to find leather of a colour & patina that matched the tired originals. Thus the interior feels absolutely period which is so often lacking in cars restored with modern leathers.
The engine has covered just 9000 miles or so since rebuild and runs superbly with strong oil pressure. It starts readily and drives beautifully. The pre selector box was also rebuilt and works perfectly, importantly with no take up or drag whilst sitting at idle.
