1934 Riley Nine Kestrel Special Series | Brightwells | Auction Ends: Wed 16th Sept

Restored to show-winning condition in 2010 and carefully maintained since; national concours winner in 2024; recent suspension overhaul and service; nice original number plate; a fine example of this most handsome Riley at a very attractive guide price

Introduced in late 1932, the Riley Nine Kestrel is widely hailed as one of the most striking sporting saloons of the pre-war era. While traditional 1930s motorcars were upright and boxy, the Kestrel embraced pioneering aerodynamics with a sweeping semi-fastback roofline and flowing Art Deco lines that made it look fast even when standing still.

Underneath its stylish bodywork lay the celebrated 1,087cc twin-camshaft overhead-valve engine designed by Percy Riley. Producing around 32 - 40bhp depending on the carburettor setup, this high-revving four-cylinder engine punched well above its weight. Coupled with a low-slung, stiff chassis and precise steering, the Kestrel offered exceptional handling for its day, cruising comfortably at 60mph with more in hand from the sportier versions when required.

A refined touring car, the Kestrel had a well-equipped cabin with plush leather seating, polished wood trim and comprehensive instrumentation. Initially an option, the ENV pre-selector gearbox proved so popular that it became standard from 1935 onwards.

Optional one-shot chassis lubrication was another desirable convenience while all cars were equipped with ingenious rod and cable drum brakes which could be adjusted from inside the cabin. This kept them working at peak efficiency without having to crawl around under the car with a spanner to tighten things up every few hundred miles, a particularly useful feature for the press-on driver during rallies or long-distance tours.

First registered in London in July 1934, this Kestrel is the sporting Special Series model with twin carbs and various other tweaks to enhance the performance. Fitted with the pre-selector gearbox, it also has the one-shot chassis lubrication system. 

Supplied new by Dobson's of Staines (their plaque is still on the dash), the buff logbook shows that BMH 942 had just two local owners until 1965 when it was acquired by a Mr E Rhodes of Halifax who was to keep it for the next 55 years. Old MOTs show that he used the car regularly until 1983 when it seems that it was taken off the road.

In 2008 the car was sent to Simon North of Carmarthen for a sympathetic restoration of the bodywork and the following year it was sent to Glenn Crawford of Bridport for a full mechanical overhaul which took 12 months to complete, around £18,000 being spent on the car.

The interior was also sympathetically refurbished by SJ Bowles Coach Trimming of Bridport at a further cost of £1,950 which included a new headlining and carpets and careful refurbishment of the original seats and door cards.

The full extent of all the work carried out is far too detailed to list in full here but is amply covered by invoices and work sheets on file (see photos for a brief summary).

Back on the road in March 2010 after flying through an MOT with no advisories recorded, the Kestrel has been in regular use since and has attended various shows, scooping plenty of silverware along the way including the Pride of Ownership award at the Riley Register National Rally in 2013.

When Mr Rhodes was forced to give up driving in 2020, the Kestrel briefly had one more owner in Notts who continued to look after the car well, including fitting various new weather seals and gaskets. In June 2021 he had the wheels repaired as required using new carbon steel spokes after which they were fitted with a new set of five Longstone tyres. He also had the car insured with an agreed value of £30,000 in March 2022 which gives you a good idea of just how nice it is.

Our vendor acquired the Kestrel in the summer of 2023 and has improved it still further, including having much of the brightwork replated, overhauling the speedo and rebuilding the suspension with all four shock absorbers refurbished, the springs re-tempered and new Silenbloc bushes fitted. In the spring of this year it was serviced with new spark plugs, a new battery and fresh oils in the engine, gearbox and rear axle. A battery cut-off switch is also discreetly fitted under the dash.

We are told that the car drives as well as it looks and has completed a number of long journeys without drama. Well-known in the club, the Riley has also continued to attend various shows and garnered more silverware along the way, including an award at the Riley Register National Rally in 2023 and three further awards at the same gathering in 2024, including Overall Concours Winner.

As you can see in the photos, this much-cherished Riley is in wonderful condition throughout, with a beautifully mellowed and pleasingly original interior. It has been starting promptly and driving nicely as we have moved it around on site, with healthy oil pressure. The icing on the cake is the original London-issue number plate, BMH 942, which is transferable and doubtless has a value of its own.

On offer here at a very enticing guide price, this handsome Kestrel is ready for a sixth owner to enjoy and is no doubt capable of scooping more awards on the show circuit, should they feel so inclined.

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com