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Post by rileyrob on Jan 2, 2017 15:01:58 GMT
Saw this today - oh, if only I could weld!! 1957 Riley 1.5 Mark One saloon pre-production car. Florentine blue with blue and white trim. This is number 128 of the 150 pre-production cars that were built at the MG car factory at Abingdon. It is fitted with a MGA 1500cc engine, but with a sports camshaft, twin SU carburettors, large Girling drum brakes, and a high ratio 3.7:1 rear axle ratio which gives 20mph per 1000 rpm, enabling high speed cruising at lower engine revs. The interior of the cars had leather seats, wooden dashboard and door cappings, the rear seat can be tipped forwards to allow transportation of bigger objects, a feature only available on the early cars. The cars were fitted with rev counters and other good quality instruments and switches. They were very nicely fitted out and were the small sized performance car of the day. They were used for rallying and racing in their time. This car is very original and complete having never been previously restored. It has been unused and dry stored for many years but now does need restoring. This car is a bit of motoring history and richly deserves to be restored back to it's former glory. It would need collecting and trailering away. Viewing if required at Wroughton near Swindon by appointment.
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Post by bobthescrapman on Jan 2, 2017 17:21:04 GMT
Any chance of more photos?
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Post by rileyrob on Jan 2, 2017 17:44:56 GMT
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Post by noddy on Jan 2, 2017 17:55:27 GMT
Hi Rob, I viewed this car a couple of years ago and it really isn't for the faint hearted. You would need good welding skills and deep pockets! As the 1.5 registrar, I have my doubts that it is a pre-production model. When I saw it, there was no chassis number/plate on it and nothing to suggest it was a pre-prod car. I have a feeling it is a very early Mk1 with many of the early features (thin script badges & tilting rear seat). However I am keeping an open mind on it - until proved one way or the other! Roger
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