1930 Riley Brooklands Sports Two-Seater
Registration no. UT 8254
Chassis no. 8079
Engine no. 13418

"Almost as soon as these new (9hp) models arrived on the scene, interest was shown in the engine by J G Parry-Thomas, who joined forces with Reid Railton to produce an 1,100cc racing chassis which Railton drove to undreamed-of success at Brooklands. Later, after Thompson and Taylor had developed the chassis, Riley put into production the 9hp Speed Model, which quickly became a legend as the Brooklands Nine. It was a Brooklands Nine which won the Rudge Whitworth Cup at Le Mans in 1934." - As Old As The Industry: Riley 1898 - 1969, David G Styles.

Introduced in 1926, Percy Riley's 9hp, 1,087cc, twin-camshaft four was an outstanding engine design by any standards, various versions powering Rileys until 1957. Clothed in stylish bodywork by Stanley Riley, the Coventry marque's pre-war offerings were among the world's finest small-capacity sporting cars, none more so than the rare and highly desirable Brooklands Speed Model, 110 of which were made between 1928 and 1932. The production Brooklands boasted a chassis shortened to an 8' wheelbase from the standard Nine's 8' 10.5" and was low-slung in the extreme, it being possible for the driver to touch the ground while normally seated at the wheel! Body construction varied considerably, ranging from wood-framed, steel-panelled, two-door types intended for touring, to the lightweight, door-less, alloy ones used at Le Mans. The engine differed from the standard Nine's by virtue of its water pump, high-compression pistons, different camshafts, four-branch exhaust manifold and twin carburettors, in which form it produced around 50bhp at 5,000 rpm.

The Brooklands was enthusiastically received by the British motor racing fraternity as it provided a most competitive entry into the 1,100cc sports car class (Class G), hitherto dominated by Continental makes. As well as the aforementioned 1934 team award at Le Mans, Riley Brooklands successes included various Class G world records, a class win in the RAC Tourist Trophy, an outright win at the 1932 Ulster Tourist Trophy and victory in the JCC 1,000 Miles Race and countless other events at Brooklands.

A well-known Brooklands, chassis number '8079' comes with a VSCC eligibility form confirming all its components to be original. This car was built towards the end of 1930 and purchased on 31st December 1930 by Mr A Newton, who registered it on New Year's Day 1931. Between 1939 and 1973, '8079' belonged to Mr Urban Burrows of Sneinton Dale, Nottingham. During Mr Burrows' ownership the Riley featured in The Autocar's 'Talking of Sports Cars' series (26th March 1943 edition). In 1973 ownership passed to Mr Barry H Parkinson of Preston, who would keep the car for the next 20 years. Passing to Isle of Man resident Mr Alan Smith in 1993, the car was restored over the next two years and in 1995 was sold at auction to Mr William John Hearne. The current vendor has owned '8079' since 2012, and had the engine and gearbox overhauled by Keith Pointing that same year. The engine was rebuilt using an Arrow crankshaft and con-rods; new white metal bearings; new pistons; cams to fast road profile; and new timing gears, while the cylinder head was overhauled with new valve guides and springs. The gearbox was stripped and rebuilt with all new bearings, as was the rear axle, the brakes being overhauled at the same time. A new reconditioned magneto was purchased and fitted. It is believed that the Brooklands has seen only limited use over the last 10 years.

One of only a handful of examples that retain their original body, '8079' has to be one of the most original Riley Brooklands still surviving. Only rarely is a car such as this, with unbroken, continuous history and exceptional mechanical integrity, offered for sale. This is a wonderful opportunity for the discerning collector to own an immaculate example of one of Britain's greatest sports cars with the knowledge that it is one of the few 'proper' examples. Accompanying the car is a history file containing period and later paperwork and photographs, MoT certificates, etc and a report written in 2012 by the Riley Register's DVLA Liaison officer, Mr Gordon Ager confirming its originality.