58L-Y8 Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 (edited) For Sale: 1936 Riley Kestrel Sprite Saloon- $19,750 - Purcellville, VA - Still Available, Price Reduced to $17,500: October 2021: See new link below: 1936 Riley Kestrel Sprite - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle... (craigslist.org) Pictures lie. This car needs and deserves a full restoration. The paint is terrible. Runs and drives locally. Engine doesn't knock or smoke. Wilson Pre Selector gearbox operational. Plenty of issues to address. Body wood is solid and dry. Serious offers considered. Tyres are olde. Car will need to be trailered. odometer: 150000 Contact: no phone listed. Copy and paste in your email: 5841dd963b0f310fb388de74972cb351@sale.craigslist.org I have no personal interest or stake in the eventual sale of this 1936 Riley Kestrel Sprite Saloon. Edited October 12, 2021 by 58L-Y8 Still Available, Price Reduced to $17,500: October 2021: (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Even with the “lying” pictures that seems awefully cheap? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 "Runs and drives locally." Maybe that means up and down the gravel driveway... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn Beer Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 19 hours ago, 58L-Y8 said: "Runs and drives locally." Maybe that means up and down the gravel driveway... Down hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 Probably more valuable back in the U.K. Not an easy car to live with unless you are a trans - Atlantic pilot. Reasonably quick by later 1930's British standards , but not fast at all these days on North American roads. 20 K starts to get you into MK2 Jag territory, or even TD , TE Alvis, much better car's in every category. But it does look terrific. Depending on your local road and traffic environment it could be either a joy or a curse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 Pre Selector gearbox That's another thing, unless you are familiar with these could you buy it? You'd never find someone to repair it if needed; you'd have to DIY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 Def a neat car, but may be priced a bit on the high side? I would almost want it a bit more finished for 20k. If one had a machine shop and lots of knowledge it would be a fun project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 (edited) By U.K, standards the price is probably quite attractive. Riley cars in general are quite desirable in the U.K. vintage car world, and Kestrels are well regarded within Riley circles. I expect this one will probably make its way back home, and be considered a good find. Over here it is a fish out of water. Edited July 12, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 Would someone who is interested in Riley cars and would like to see this one find a good home, sign onto this site and post a link to this listing as a heads-up? Cars for Sale/Wanted | RileyMotorClub (proboards.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 This much nicer one sold for 33k in 2013. So maybe they don't bring any money. 20K feels like Model A money to me. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20930/lot/368 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 Check out the Engine and Dash pictures on the black car. DOHC? Tach? These are cool features! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 AJ: Indeed they are. What's the displacement and horsepower of the DOHC four. The big unfamiliar, unknown is that Wilson Pre-Selector gearbox. Is it similar to the Cord 810/812 electric gear shifter? And, the largest fear is the 'prince-of-darkness' Lucas electrics, I'd assuming. Undeniably a cool, elegant design to offset the potential gremlins. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 No I don't think so, to both... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 twin crankshafts, pushrods, OHV not DOHC. Trans I would think has a manual linkage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 22 minutes ago, mike6024 said: twin crankshafts, pushrods, OHV not DOHC. Trans I would think has a manual linkage. Would that be twin camshafts with pushrods??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 Yes I had misspelled it, then let auto correct fix it for me and it came up with crankshaft instead of cam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 I'm not sure if this is it. Maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 Riley built their engines in both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder versions. These engines were also built with numerous displacement sizes. All of the engines had a similar design – hemispherical combustion chamber, intake and exhaust valves angled at 90 degrees, short and light pushrods from twin camshafts mounted high on each side of the engine block. Due to the arrangement of the valves, the engine looks like it has dual overhead camshafts, but these are parrallel valve covers. https://stevemckelvie.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/the-white-riley-the-era-and-the-healey-cars/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 http://riley-cars.co.uk/Overhauling-the-Riley-Nine.php Riley Nine? Mid 1930's, think it has the same engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 12, 2021 Author Share Posted July 12, 2021 A Hemi T-Head! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 (edited) I wouldn't let the preselector scare you. They are less complicated than you think - once you study them for a long time. 😀 Edited July 12, 2021 by alsancle (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 (edited) Very nifty cars. And a little jewel of an engine. But it is a relatively heavy , coachbuilt saloon . That very well engineered and intriguing engine is only a 1500. And even in the best version is still only about 60 H.P. So bigger, heavier and roughly the same power as a MGTF. TF's are nice little cars, but definitely no ball of fire from a raw power point of view. Expect the road manners and performance to be on par with a Morris Minor swapped with a later MG Midget 1275 engine. { a very popular, bolt in swap if you want to drive a Minor much in todays traffic, many people also swap on the Midget front brakes. Also almost a bolt on } Edited July 13, 2021 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 (edited) Still Available, Price Reduced to $17,500: October 2021: 1936 Riley Kestrel Sprite - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle... (craigslist.org) Pictures lie. This car needs and deserves a full restoration. The paint is terrible. Runs and drives . Engine doesn't knock or smoke. Wilson Pre Selector gearbox operational. Plenty of issues to address. Body wood is solid and dry. Serious offers considered. Tyres are olde. Car will need to be trailered. Large collection of Riley special tools included. Contact: no phone listed. Copy and paste in your email: e2acf57711703535a72c3f1dc2731398@sale.craigslist.org Edited March 18, 2022 by 58L-Y8 Crossed out the dead CL link, (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 It doesn't belong in the United States. It'd be nice to have but just as an oddity, something quirky. Should be listed on Pre-War for sale back to Britain. https://www.prewarcar.com/cars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 https://www.prewarcar.com/351083-1936-riley-12-4-kestrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob barker Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 Does anyone know what happened to this Riley? was it a real ad or... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob barker Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 (edited) Hello, Just saw this posting last night...I know. Edited March 18, 2022 by bob barker Shprten it up a bit. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 22 hours ago, bob barker said: Hello, Just saw this posting last night...I know. Hello It was a real listing, ran twice at different times. Sorry, without a phone number, the trail has gone cold on this one. One might check with other enthusiast in that area who might know the car and its owner. Good luck in your search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Deppe Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 The Riley was sold to someone in Texas last Fall. It was a real listing, I had a Whatsapp video call with the seller back when it was for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
co-van17KB Posted May 3, 2022 Share Posted May 3, 2022 This car is currently listed on Car-from-UK.com, and is said to be located in Leesburg, Va. There are two separate identical listings for different prices, both at reduced prices. I responded to the ad on 1 May 22, but have received no reply, so responded again this morning. I want to drive to Leesburg to look at the car, especially to check out visibility to the the sides and rear from the right hand driver's seat. Several years ago I imported from England a RHD Vincent Riley MPH, which appears to be the only Vincent in the U.S. or Canada. Has a British Ford 1930cc engine and 5 fwd gears British Ford transmission, plus electric cooling fan, dual Weber carbs, & hi-speed rear end. I drive it with the windshield folded down, and the racing screens up; the canvas top & side screens are stored in the garage. My first cars in the 1950's were a Singer 1500 and a MG-TF 1250cc. The right hand drive was an easy adjustment and visibility is great. The car is quick and nimble ... and fun. My top speed has been 85 mph on the Interstate and it handled better than at 55 ... just purring along with plenty of reserve power. If I get to check out the Kestrel will post again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now