Riley Kestrel 1300 1968 Automatic

[charlierenwick]

Evening,

I wanted to introduce you to my much loved Riley Kestrel, I can post some more images however I have decided I am going to give it a full restoration over next two months, with a suspension overhaul, respray & engine restoration.

She has only done 38,000 with me being the second owner the first owner was my great grandmother it sat in a garage for 30 years until I got it however it has not been smooth sailing knowing zero about mechanics I have learnt and done the vast majority jobs myself, however now she is running pretty smooth and I am actually using it currently as an every day car!!


I have been using & driving the vehicle for the last 4 years but plan on keeping it running for another 50 so going to purchase a run around soon so I can keep it covered & use it as a weekend car.

I would love to hear any tips/advice about this model and ideas for improvement!

Jobs I have completed so far include


-New Distributor Cap // Ignition Leads // Spark Plugs // Points
-New Battery & Clamps & Earth Lead
-New Tyres (need new ones now thinking about white walling?)
-New Oil Filter & New Oil about 10 times
-Replace seals on master cylinder & new brake fluid
-Starter Solenoid replace
-Changed all brake pipes to new ones.
-Change air Filter
-Fit Brand New Fuel Pump
-Fixed Horn
-Clamps for exhaust.
-Refurbed Dynamo
-Dynamo Fan Belt
-Change Rocker & Head Gaskets
-Rubber Fuel Hose
-Repaired 2x hydrolastic suspension units (now broken again ARGHHH) the worlds best suspension only when it works which is rare.
-Change any hose which was rubber (there is a lot of these, some still need doing)
-Pumped up suspension (local garage had to do this) about 5x times very expensive still yet to find real underlying problem.
-Dynamo Regulator Box New (took me ages to figure this one out, finally found it was the smallest bit soldiered metal had burnt off.)
-New Engine Mounts
-Completely replace master cylinder
-Fuel Tank Sender / Repair (broken again)
-Replace Indicator Stalk
-Carburettor Cleanse
-Change Dynamo to an Alternator ( I got sick of the dynamo, been reliable since )
-Change Ignition Coil to some fancy gold one of eBay
-Refurbished Radiomobile so I could keep original but add aux lead (really cool addition)

Let me know if you want to see more I can get some more photos!

[deltalimamike]

That looks lovely.

Personally I'd like to see as many pictures as you want have as I love looking at the them!

Shame not to carry on using as a daily, but I understand the reasons for using at the weekend only.

[charlierenwick]

I have added some more photos now, I would love to drive it everyday it makes driving fun, however I want to run for another 48 years dont get me wrong I will certainly drive it all weekend & on them exceptionally sunny days.

I still have all the original paperwork and work carried on the car dating back to 1968 will get some photos of that also!

The photos I have taken actually highlight the TLC the car needs however I am getting there and I will post some photos once the work has been carried out.

I am going to get the engine out for the first time which should be interesting.

[deltalimamike]

I'm on my phone so tricky to look in detail but looks like a little bit of love will see that right.

[charlierenwick]

also in other news, i have just won 4k through eBay to restore her!

how would you all spend that money on my car?

My priorities are making suspension perfect & having a respray, new carpets, engine out & replace all hoses etc & make it shiny & make sure the bottom the car is in a good condition replace anything that need doing then, then obviously buying extras like riley branded gear knob & a tow bar.

[noddy]

Wow,
You lucky thing!

Personally I would spend the money on the bodywork - making sure there is not a speck of rust and giving it a full professional respray.
Then you would have solid base to work with - any left over money could then go on suspension, carpets etc.

This is fun - I quite enjoy spending other peoples money!!

Roger

[charlierenwick]

I know very excited to have won, i bet thousands entered here was the link i received by email www.ebay.co.uk/rpp/ebay-car-challenge.

Full respray first, then everything from there. I don't mind going over budget as it's money I was going to spend anyway, just spent two hours adding things on eBay to my basket extremely satisfying.

I saw a picture this morning off extremely attractive looking a series engine I would assume it was in a mini. ENGINE GOALS!

[charlierenwick]

Here is eBay's first video of my classic car restoration.

www.ebay.co.uk/gds/Restorer-Charlie-Renwick-/10000000210627557/g.html

Since this video I have been very busy, I have stripped the car welded any rust spots its now in prima, engine is out and I am going to start cleaning this weekend then I will repaint to original colours.

My chrome is all coming up surprisingly well been using auto sol & tin foil!

Ordered a ridiculous amount of parts including some white wall tyres, new carpets, number plates with chrome backing, rear and front window trim, fuel sender, engine mounts, rubber drive shaft gaiter, front brake discs, interior mirror, an electric fan (might give me an extra 2bhp?) new ariel, amungst other things.

if any one has ay ideas on what else i should buy please let me know. I quite fancy getting a tow bar fitted?

getting suspension out later and sending off to specialists!