Number of One Point Fives exported to North America

[masinstr]

Hi,

I own three One Point Fives, two of which are North American cars.  My understanding is that the One Point Fives were only exported to North America in 1959.  Does anyone have any idea how many were actually exported to North America?

Chassis numbers
    RHS RIL 13541    on the road

    RHS RIL 16359    parts car

    HSR119017        In need of restoration

Thanks in advance.

Bob Clark

USA

[noddy]

Hi Bob,

I did start looking (a few years ago) into how may cars were exported worldwide and which countries they went to. So far I have only got as far as chassis #5000 - however I can confirm that.....
24.5% of production (to#5000) was exported worldwide with the top three of ...
USA - 10.3% (516 cars)
South Africa - 3.1% (155)
Canada - 1.7% (84)
However these figures are only upto chassis number 5000 - around mid-October 1958. I have a feeling that in 1959 the numbers could have been slightly higher with the US still having been the main market - ? around 15-10% of production for the US - 1000 cars? When I get time, I will look into it more!

Out of interest, here are some of the places One-Point-Fives were exported to in 1958...
Bangkok (2), Morocco (1), Penang (1), Venezuela (2), Kenya (1), Austria (2), Tanzania (1), Kuwait (1), Gribraltar (2), Jamaica (6), Libya (6) - Surprisingly France and Italy only imported 3 each!

All the best,
Roger

[masinstr]

Thanks Roger.  Very helpful.  If you need anything on my cars, let me know.  I do know that I am the 3rd owner of 13541.  It was originally sold in Vancouver, BC, Canada, by Alex Galloway from Gordon Brothers on April 8, 1960.  He then moved to California, USA.  When he passed away, his daughter sold the car to Tom Marsh in New York State.  Tom restored the car around 2004.  I purchased it from Tom in June of this year.  The car now resides in Middletown, Maryland, USA.

16359, I pulled out of a forest outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.  Currently is a parts car (too far gone to save).

119017 was abandoned in a building on Long Island, New York, USA.  The building was going to be demonished and the guy who had the contract to demolish the building found the car and pulled it out.  I purchased it from him in 2006.

Just a bit of history on the One Point Fives.

Regards,

Bob

[canuck]

Hello Bob,
Tom Marsh car is very nicely done indeed. I met up with Tom and his good wife on two occasions.  You will recognize ex Tom/your car in the photo, 'posed' with some friends. 

Once at Watkins Glen, NY track meet, and another time at Brits by the Sea show in Connecticut.




When we first met up, Tom had freshly completed the restoration to a very good standard. He had fitted a Weber down draught carburetor, (no doubt a moment of weakness on his part) but was planning on re building and refitting the proper H4 carburetors.
He has also at the time had fitted a vintage Ampco top cylinder oiler. 


A nice car indeed, a good purchase on your part.

Bruce

FYI, a NY state Riley one-point-five enthusiast , John Volker has a local , (NA) register of one-point-five.  I belive there to be a small 'gaggle' of one-point-five on Long Island area.  We were able to assemble four one-point-five together a few years ago as photo above shows. 

B 

[masinstr]

Hi Bruce,

The Weber is still on the car, though I am working with Tom to get the SUs. If I ever have an issue with the Weber, I will put the SUs back on. I am more familiar with the SUs. They are on my RMD, RMF and TR3. The Ampco is still there and is used. Tom also fitted a brake booster and a few other modifications including putting Morris Traveler wheels and tires on the car to make it more driveable. Tom hadn't driven the car for a while (he stated about 50 miles over the last 2 years). I have driven the car over 500 in the last two months.

Had the car up at the Watkins Glen Vintage Race show in September.

I am on the Riley NE email list and now that I have a running car, look forward to seeing everyone again. My wife and I made it to the Riley get together in held in CT back in 2004 I think and the one held at Allenberry in Boiling Springs, PA.

I run across Gary Watson every year at the Lewes, DE show held in May each year.

Look forward to seeing you one of these days.

Bob

[noddy]

Hi Bob,
Re-Weber.
Unless you are racing , I cant see the point of fitting a Weber. The only real difference, in our experience racing, is top end power. For road use a good SU set up is more than enough.
Roger

[canuck]

Roger

No worries for Bob,  

He has the blasphemous  down draught fitted, not the side draught as you elude to.
Many know this carburetor doesn't belong there but over here many owners, (later model MGB particularly)  that don't understand SU's opt for this  'aftermarket' fix. 

B