Purchase of Riley 1.5

[richard894]

Hi everyone

Have joined this forum today as I am thinking seriously of purchasing a Riley 1.5. Have found a car that looks good but know virtually nothing specific about the model. My previous classic was a Rover P4. Could members tell me whether spares are readily available for routine servicing and for common replacement items like brake parts and plugs, points etc. Is it the case that many of the parts are the same as for the Morris Minor for example? Would appreciate whatever guidance you can offer. For the Rover, there are 2 specialist spares suppliers that offer all these common bits and some body parts too. Are there dealers that do the same for the Riley 1.5? If so, who are they please?

Many thanks  Richard

[canuck]

Hello Richard

Welcome to the madness you will not be sorry. Come visit us on the model specific section of this forum. We discuss the good, the bad & the ugly of one-point-five ownership.

Join the RMC and the club spares department offers a discount. 

As you surmised the suspension bits, front & rear are copy of MM, with minor changes not to worry. The brakes are Riley one-point-five specific and vastly superior to those of the MM, and yes readily available. Wheels & tires are MM. Some of the bright work and some rubber trim is scarce, but a bit of digging usually turns up something.  Electrics is simple 2 fuse Lucas so easy to trouble shoot.

The engine is MGA and transmission MGA/Magnette. The clutch hydraulics is standard Lockheed so no problem there. 

Technical support is free and offered by other one-point-five owners on the tech forum, just ask.  

Good luck with your purchase

Bruce