pewe
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 03:38 PM |
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1953 Riley RME - would you??
Happened to be ear-wigging a conversation in the pub last week (as you do) about SORN'ing a car.
The two guys were obviously ill-informed so I chipped into the conversation.
Net result is that I'm off to look at said car next week.
Unseen the asking price seems more than affordable but it needs an engine re-build and some bodywork re-furbed and it would seem rude not to buy it.
One like this...
So the question is - do I really need another project given the F27 is SORN, the Eunos s/c is proving to be the most fun you can have with your
clothes on (next to riding a motorbike that is) and the resto MX5 is occupying the space where the Riley would go?
No1 son reckons I could use it for wedding car hire.
What also concerns me is that I seem to be turning into a Scootz - must be my Scots ancestory!
Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received.
Cheers, Pewe10 
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perksy
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 04:01 PM |
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I like that 
As long as its complete and you have enough room to keep it and work on it then no problem.
I'm guessing it'll have a leather and walnut interior so it would be good to know what condition that is in aswell ?
Sounds like your pretty busy already though ? So it might be sat for awhile before you get chance to work on it...
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bartonp
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 04:29 PM |
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The condition of the fabric roof & wooden bodywork support may be of concern ... not cheap or easy to rectify.
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mookaloid
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 05:08 PM |
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Please can I have first dibs if you decide to 'do a Scootz' and sell it on later (for a loss  )
Cheers
Mark
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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mark chandler
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 05:21 PM |
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As an object to own, very nice if complete
As a car to enjoy driving.... I suspect it will disappoint in most respects unless you are mr Chumley Warmer
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NigeEss
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 05:42 PM |
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Most definately yes. That's lovely.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
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westf27
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 06:02 PM |
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I would as long as it dont smell inside like...well you know
555
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steve m
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 06:02 PM |
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If the price is right, and affordable, and the car seems resonable, i would be inclined to get it home, give it a wash and brush up, and stick it on
ebay,
something like a Riley is a very aquired taste, and personly, not mine
Steve
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britishtrident
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 06:48 PM |
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Rebody it they make fantastic 1930s style specials
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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Confused but excited.
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 07:56 PM |
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Whatever the reason. . . .go for it. You know you want to.
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
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Not Anumber
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 07:56 PM |
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Go for it.
With regard to the engine rebuild you could always fit a small modern engine and gearbox and put the originals to one side to either restore when the
time and money were right later or just to eventually sell on with the car for the sake of originality.
A (non transverse) BLMC A series lump and either Morris Minor or Marina gearbox is the most practical transplant on old British cars as it still
looks the part, gives a few bhp more which helps the driveability in traffic without placing undue extra strain on the rest of the mechanicals.
I restored a Sunbeam Rapier IV, a 1960s 280S Merc and a Triumph Herald many years ago: Theres nothing like driving something that youve restored
yourself plus you'll get free road tax and theres no IVA or even MOT to worry about.
[Edited on 12/3/2013 by Not Anumber]
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 08:27 PM |
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nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo dont do it
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 09:02 PM |
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If you think you can fix it, then MX-who?
He's right something like that is ripe for a wedding car
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pewe
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 09:59 PM |
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Thanks for the comments guys, though Conrod's probably worried about being a Mr Teasy-Weasy-no-mates hairdresser.
Had half thought about a transplant as either a short or medium term solution as I just happen to have a Lancia 1.6 twin cam engine and a rear wheel
drive Fiat gearbox lying around.
It probably wouldn't look too much out of place.
Do like the idea of creating a 30's type Sporster if the current body's shot - maybe steal the Volumex engine out of the F27 - now
there's a thought - definiteley not Mr Cholmondley-Warner then!
There again a lot to be said for keeping it as original if possible.
I think I'd better start clear-out of current stock to keep SWMBO on side.
As you gather I'm sorely tempted even though I haven't seen it.
Watch this space.
Cheers, Pewe10
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Simon
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:18 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
As an object to own, very nice if complete
As a car to enjoy driving.... I suspect it will disappoint in most respects unless you are mr Chumley Warmer
I agree entirely. Like most old things, they are great to look at, bring a sense of nostalgia etc, but to own/drive, they'll handle crap, be
unreliable, leak and prob spoil the enjoyment.
However, the reason we on here build kit or one offs etc may be to get something that looks classical (eg Cobra) but has modern running gear, gives
you a good handling, reliable and non leaky vehicle.
So, I say go for it, but replace all the running gear with modern stuff, maybe with a diesel - if only to keep the original rattly old engine
sound
ATB
Simon
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roadrunner
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| posted on 13/3/13 at 10:10 AM |
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If it were me, I would stick a V8 in it and hot rod it.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 13/3/13 at 12:52 PM |
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The Riley engine was a wonderful classic unit with real heritage the idea of fitting a tiny BMC A in its' place is a bit odd a bit like
fitting a Xflo in an E type.
These post-war Rileys like the pre-war ones were very very good cars but the body work just isn't viable unless you want to spend a life time
making ash frames and covering them with fabric.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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trextr7monkey
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| posted on 13/3/13 at 01:59 PM |
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Hot rod is the way to go
Atb
Mike
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14016102@N00/ (cut and paste this dodgey link)
Our most recent pics are here:
http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/trextr7monkey/
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Lightning
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| posted on 13/3/13 at 02:34 PM |
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Ive been looking for one of these for a while now. I have bid on a few on ebay. the one wanted i forgot when the bid finished. Should have put a
sniper on. Beautiful looking cars in my humble opinion. Although I really should get rid of the Spire first.
Steve
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