Riley Brooklands 1928

Riley as found (Stripped Out)

Collinson Jaguar were excited to be given the work to restore this important car. The first Brooklands Riley cars were made by Thompson and Taylor at Brooklands with chassis numbers starting 60/_ _, some cars went to the Riley factory at Coventry and were re-listed as 80_ _. It can clearly show in the photographs that this car started out as chassis No. 60/17 and was altered to 8017 which was consistent with the factory policy.

As found

Chassis 60/17 was registered in Surrey in 1928 as PK2706 and was driven by SCH (Sammy) Davis of Autocar fame in the Essex Motor Club Brooklands Six Hour Race, in which he retired with big end failure.

The car had been stripped when it arrived, with much research before starting work it was decided to change the wheels from the original 5 stud to a 6 stud fixing which also incorporated larger brakes, (this was a modification offered by Riley).

Assortment of removed parts

The engine, gearbox and axle were stripped, inspected, cleaned and rebuilt as necessary.

Most components were shot blasted then zinc or powder coated. Modified brake linkage was fabricated to connect the front cables to the rear rod operated brake system via a compensator.

The front and rear axle had to be changed to up rate the 6 stud wheel fixings, modifications and brackets were made to use the original shock absorbers.

Engine & Gearbox

The chassis and body work carried out by Terry Roberts (www.heritage-gb.org.uk). The chassis were found to be three inches out if alignment, the 'swan neck' part of the offside chassis had been plated on both sides and held together with nuts and bolts, under these plates the chassis had two large cracks, the nearside rear spring hanger was badly out of align and a new tube had to be fitted. New wings, bonnet and aero screen scoop were fabricated in aluminium. (All original parts have been retained).

The car was completed in time for the Brooklands Centenary in June 2007 and took part in the parade.