Post by Harris on Dec 4, 2016 10:19:04 GMT
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1967-RILEY-KESTREL-1100-RARELY-SEEN-NOW-BEST-COLOUR-COMBO-GORGEOUS-EXAMPLE-/272472705232?hash=item3f70a388d0:g:lDQAAOSw-0xYQqRG
I have always loved the Riley Kestrel. Back in the day when BMC were the masters of badge engineering, the ever popular 1100 range summed up how it was done so well. We had the Austin, Morris, Wolseley, MG and then - at the very top of the tree - the Riley Kestrel. Think about it and you will recall that the company did exactly the same with the Farina range. Once again, the pecking order was such that the Riley was at the top.
This absolutely stunning Kestrel, finished in the best ever two-tone scheme for the model (that's my opinion although I do believe that it's shared by many!), has covered 48,000 miles and I would imagine that is a true reading. This oh so cool Kestrel, in her original livery of Sandy Beige on the bottom and Arianca Beige on the top, is of show standard and drives beautifully. No, in my opinion, the paintwork looks to be the original. So, let's state straight away that this is not a restored car. In just a matter of weeks, it will be 50-years-old. Amazing.
Her body panels, so straight, are delightful and of course so is the Riley interior with fawn leather and wooden dashboard incorporating three chrome rimmed dials in front of the driver.
These little gems fly along with the world famous BMC 1098cc twin-carb unit and this Kestrel is simply oodles of fun on the road.
I am as certain as I can be that the paintwork is the original and, when you lift the carpets (also original. Still serviceable after 50 years but a new set would transform the cabin area!) you see that the floor pans still bear their body colour with evidence of the factory primer edging its way through from beneath! There are a couple of minor cracks in the leather on the edge of the passenger seat but, in essence, they probably help to add to the internal patina.
A truly beautiful example, this Kestrel will not need huge leather gauntlets to handle her. I would imagine that a pair of string backed driving gloves would do the job quite admirably!
As with all my classic cars, I regard them as the equivalent of motoring antiques. Even the very best available cannot be perfect. Since the motor car was invented, vehicles have ceased to be perfect once they leave the dealer's showroom. I do not like concourse classics, and have little time for those who take them to shows on trailers, clean the tyre treads with a toothbrush and then sit po-faced at the front of their vehicle all day. Classic cars are to be loved, enjoyed, driven, improved, repaired, tinkered with and hopefully pampered. Even the best will show some signs of wear and tear commensurate with their age. Do not expect a 50-year-old car to be in the same condition as your wife's 6-month old Range Rover. Although I suppose some could actually be in a superior condition come to think of it (sorry, joke!). I love my Georgian dining table, despite all its centuries of repair work. If had wanted a new table then maybe I should have gone to Oak Furniture Land!
I accept all major debit/credit cards and a ten per cent deposit is required at the point of sale with the balance due within three days. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote. Thanks, Martin (07595 020282).
I have always loved the Riley Kestrel. Back in the day when BMC were the masters of badge engineering, the ever popular 1100 range summed up how it was done so well. We had the Austin, Morris, Wolseley, MG and then - at the very top of the tree - the Riley Kestrel. Think about it and you will recall that the company did exactly the same with the Farina range. Once again, the pecking order was such that the Riley was at the top.
This absolutely stunning Kestrel, finished in the best ever two-tone scheme for the model (that's my opinion although I do believe that it's shared by many!), has covered 48,000 miles and I would imagine that is a true reading. This oh so cool Kestrel, in her original livery of Sandy Beige on the bottom and Arianca Beige on the top, is of show standard and drives beautifully. No, in my opinion, the paintwork looks to be the original. So, let's state straight away that this is not a restored car. In just a matter of weeks, it will be 50-years-old. Amazing.
Her body panels, so straight, are delightful and of course so is the Riley interior with fawn leather and wooden dashboard incorporating three chrome rimmed dials in front of the driver.
These little gems fly along with the world famous BMC 1098cc twin-carb unit and this Kestrel is simply oodles of fun on the road.
I am as certain as I can be that the paintwork is the original and, when you lift the carpets (also original. Still serviceable after 50 years but a new set would transform the cabin area!) you see that the floor pans still bear their body colour with evidence of the factory primer edging its way through from beneath! There are a couple of minor cracks in the leather on the edge of the passenger seat but, in essence, they probably help to add to the internal patina.
A truly beautiful example, this Kestrel will not need huge leather gauntlets to handle her. I would imagine that a pair of string backed driving gloves would do the job quite admirably!
As with all my classic cars, I regard them as the equivalent of motoring antiques. Even the very best available cannot be perfect. Since the motor car was invented, vehicles have ceased to be perfect once they leave the dealer's showroom. I do not like concourse classics, and have little time for those who take them to shows on trailers, clean the tyre treads with a toothbrush and then sit po-faced at the front of their vehicle all day. Classic cars are to be loved, enjoyed, driven, improved, repaired, tinkered with and hopefully pampered. Even the best will show some signs of wear and tear commensurate with their age. Do not expect a 50-year-old car to be in the same condition as your wife's 6-month old Range Rover. Although I suppose some could actually be in a superior condition come to think of it (sorry, joke!). I love my Georgian dining table, despite all its centuries of repair work. If had wanted a new table then maybe I should have gone to Oak Furniture Land!
I accept all major debit/credit cards and a ten per cent deposit is required at the point of sale with the balance due within three days. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote. Thanks, Martin (07595 020282).