Highlights

Gorgeous and beautifully detailed MPH replica
Very high specification, including rebuilt 2.5L 115bhp engine
Mike Holden MPH aluminium chassis and panelled by Brian Martin
Bespoke ash frame in very good order
Lovely blue and burgundy colour scheme
Long-term keeper from 1964 to 2024
Continuously improved during the last 60 years

The Appeal

Gulp. Before you read on, perhaps just take a moment to admire this utterly gorgeous Riley. It is one magnificent specimen.

Whether you’re here for the beautiful lines, elegantly finished in dark blue with burgundy trim, or for the story of this one-off car or, of course, for its illustrious specification, settle in for a fascinating ride This car began its life as a 1929 Riley Nine before the current keeper acquired it in 1964 when it was kitted out as a Nine Special. There began a 60-year quest to create the ultimate MPH special.

And with good reason. The MPH was only available for six months, conceived as a car built around ‘the ideal of speed’ rather than outright performance. Just 17 were built - including race cars and prototypes - and for a while they were ‘just another old classic.’ Not now. That rarity, the evocative styling and the nimble performance mean that every MPH is in a collection. Including that of Detroit design and engineering mogul Bob Lutz.

So this is the next best thing. And there is a strong case to say this car is actually better than a standard MPH. Its extended evolution by the knowledgeable long-term keeper delivers a car whose specification reads like a ‘greatest hits’ of Riley specialists and features. There is an MPH aluminium body panelled by Riley expert Brian Martin. A Mike Holden MPH chassis that has been lengthened by 4in to improve cockpit comfort. The bespoke ash frame was fabricated by the long-term keeper and painted by high-end specialists Panel and Paint. The attention to detail is impressive, including aero screens and an aluminium spine trim down the back.

The long-term keeper’s deep Riley knowledge is obvious when you delve under the bonnet. You’ll find a 115bhp 2.5L Riley engine with 4spd Nuffield box. The front axle is from a 1934 Riley Nine, and the rear is from a 1936 wide-body Riley. The steering box is from a Nine.

While those original factory MPHs gather dust in classic collections, this car has been used and thoroughly enjoyed. In the thick history file - which documents all the work, including photographs - you find paperwork, and across the interior are stickers for various VSCC events, particularly during the 1970s. As you would expect, the maintenance has been equally enthusiastic, including several engine rebuilds, most recently in 2016.

This is a vintage car that is as beautiful as it is drivable. You won’t find another so don’t miss this opportunity.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in 1929 as a Riley Nine
DVLA records one keeper but this is likely to have been more
We are told the previous keeper retained the car from 1964 to 2024
He undertook and oversaw all the work to the car detailed above and below
Acquired by him as a Riley Nine Special in 1964
Continuously developed by that seller from 1964 to sale in 2024
Evolved into a MPH replica in the 1990s
Extensively raced at VSCC events in the 1970s
Photographic record of most of the work as shown in photographs
Last MOT’d in June 2011 with no advisories on test and 79,486 miles showing on test
Now showing 86,256 miles
Continuously improved and maintained including several engine rebuilds, the last in 2016

The Condition

MPH aluminium body by Brian Martin, Riley specialist
Mike Holden MPH chassis lengthened by 4in to improve cockpit comfort
Painted in beautiful dark blue by Panel and Paint to a very high standard
Ash frame fabricated by long-term keeper
Well-detailed vehicle with folding aero screen, badge bar and aluminium rear trim
Burgundy wire wheels with vintage tyres fitted all well kept
Burgundy leather two-seat interior in very good condition with lovely detailing

This beautiful car is a testament to the knowledge of its long-term keeper and the quality of the suppliers and components used in its extended evolution. The attractive blue with burgundy colour scheme, accented with chrome and some neat details like the aero screens, shows off the Brian Martin aluminium panelwork to very good effect. The car uses an MPH Mike Holden chassis, and the panels are the factory cars’ looks. But extending the chassis by 4in - to improve cockpit space - somehow makes this car arguably prettier than the model it replicates. We’ll let you be the judge, but that’s the direction we’re going in.

This car has been used and enjoyed by the long-term seller - it was raced extensively at VSCC events in the 1970s - but it is in remarkably well-preserved condition. You will find the odd stone chip here and there and a light sheen to the burgundy leather, but they all point to this being a high-specification MPH replica that you can actually use and enjoy.

The Mechanics

2,443cc Riley ‘16hp’ engine now developing stated 115bhp
4spd Nuffield manual gearbox
Front axle from a 1934 Riley Nine and rear from a wide body 1936 model
RIley Nine steering box
Engine regularly rebuilt, most recently in 2016 by Formhalls Vintage Racing, including new main bearings
Crank is from a pre-war Riley 21/2 with RMF camshafts
Distributor rebuilt by Distributor Doctor in 2022
Thick history file of ongoing maintenance amassed by long-term keeper
Described as running very well, starting ‘on the button’ and very well sorted

As you might expect of a car that has been in the hands of its long-term keeper for 60 years, subject to continuous improvement, and even regularly raced at VSCC events, this is one exceptionally well-sorted car.

The specification has been evolved to respect the MPH factory cars but arguably goes one considerable step further. The 2.5L Riley engine has much more pep, being rated at 115bhp. Elsewhere, other enhancements draw from the Riley model range and are highlighted above.

For the buyer, much of the appeal - beyond the condition and specification - must surely lie in the fact that this Riley has been extensively maintained and regularly used. So much so that the vendor confidently describes it as well sorted and ‘on the button.’ The engine was last rebuilt in 2016 by specialists Formhall Vintage Racing and is reported to run very well indeed.

This car is beautiful enough to sit and admire as part of your collection. But we secretly hope it gets used and enjoyed as it has been for the last 60 years and for which it is clearly intended.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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