Riley 1.5

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Discussion

crankedup5

Original Poster:

10,775 posts

42 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
Don’t see many of these cars on the road now, I think they are the sporting version of the Wolsley 1.5. I would be interested to hear from a long term PHer (riley1.5)in here his thoughts on these cars.

Riley Blue

21,634 posts

233 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
What would you like to know? I have two, one on the road and used regularly from April to October, the other in pieces and at the present rate of progress likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Their BMC B-series engine is the same as in an early MGA and is easily tuneable, Peter Burgess is probably the best known 'head & block man'. Suspension is torsion bar and lever arm dampers up front, leaf springs and lever arm dampers at the rear so unsophisticated by today's standards. Brakes are drums all round, quite good but a servo can be fitted with front disc conversions available.

Appearance-wise they look quite staid but they make decent race and rally cars in the right hands; a replica of Les Leston's race car is due to debut this year.

We've driven all over the UK and to France in ours and take part in HRCR navigational events and there are a few other One-Point-Fives that take part in more competitive events.

Keep it stiff

1,796 posts

180 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
Take a look at the Oxford Uni Motorsports web site, they run two Riley 1.5s and the one I have been competing against for the last few years is very rapid indeed!

http://www.oumf.org/our-cars.html


Penny Whistle

5,826 posts

177 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
Nice little cars, in some ways an up-market Morris Minor. The Riley had twin carbs compared to the Wolseley's single. They gained a bit of a reputation for tramping and also for snapping halfshafts if not treated with respect.

crankedup5

Original Poster:

10,775 posts

42 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
Riley Blue said:
What would you like to know? I have two, one on the road and used regularly from April to October, the other in pieces and at the present rate of progress likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Their BMC B-series engine is the same as in an early MGA and is easily tuneable, Peter Burgess is probably the best known 'head & block man'. Suspension is torsion bar and lever arm dampers up front, leaf springs and lever arm dampers at the rear so unsophisticated by today's standards. Brakes are drums all round, quite good but a servo can be fitted with front disc conversions available.

Appearance-wise they look quite staid but they make decent race and rally cars in the right hands; a replica of Les Leston's race car is due to debut this year.

We've driven all over the UK and to France in ours and take part in HRCR navigational events and there are a few other One-Point-Fives that take part in more competitive events.
Thank you. you have a P.M.

crankedup5

Original Poster:

10,775 posts

42 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
Keep it stiff said:
Take a look at the Oxford Uni Motorsports web site, they run two Riley 1.5s and the one I have been competing against for the last few years is very rapid indeed!

http://www.oumf.org/our-cars.html
Thanks for response and great link.

crankedup5

Original Poster:

10,775 posts

42 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
Penny Whistle said:
Nice little cars, in some ways an up-market Morris Minor. The Riley had twin carbs compared to the Wolseley's single. They gained a bit of a reputation for tramping and also for snapping halfshafts if not treated with respect.
I had noticed one or two cars mentioning new halfshafts fitted !

Riley Blue

21,634 posts

233 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
crankedup5 said:
Riley Blue said:
What would you like to know? I have two, one on the road and used regularly from April to October, the other in pieces and at the present rate of progress likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Their BMC B-series engine is the same as in an early MGA and is easily tuneable, Peter Burgess is probably the best known 'head & block man'. Suspension is torsion bar and lever arm dampers up front, leaf springs and lever arm dampers at the rear so unsophisticated by today's standards. Brakes are drums all round, quite good but a servo can be fitted with front disc conversions available.

Appearance-wise they look quite staid but they make decent race and rally cars in the right hands; a replica of Les Leston's race car is due to debut this year.

We've driven all over the UK and to France in ours and take part in HRCR navigational events and there are a few other One-Point-Fives that take part in more competitive events.
Thank you. you have a P.M.
Received, I'll be in touch within a day or two.

crankedup5

Original Poster:

10,775 posts

42 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
^^^^^
Thank you.

Riley Blue

21,634 posts

233 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
quotequote all
Keep it stiff said:
Take a look at the Oxford Uni Motorsports web site, they run two Riley 1.5s and the one I have been competing against for the last few years is very rapid indeed!

http://www.oumf.org/our-cars.html
So it should be given how extensively it's been modified!

crankedup5

Original Poster:

10,775 posts

42 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
Still looking for a nice Riley one point five or a Wolesley 1500, didn’t think it would be such a difficult car to track down!

angliaone

2 posts

20 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
There is a Wolseley 1500 in this weekends Anglia car auctions

jeremyc

24,556 posts

291 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
crankedup5 said:
Still looking for a nice Riley one point five or a Wolesley 1500, didn’t think it would be such a difficult car to track down!
There are six Wolesley 1500s and two Riley 1.5s listed on Car & Classic at the moment.

crankedup5

Original Poster:

10,775 posts

42 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
angliaone said:
There is a Wolseley 1500 in this weekends Anglia car auctions
Yes, thanks for posting I have spotted one and it looks to be in good order. I did e research on it and it was last auctioned by Matthewsons September last year for £7500. wonder why it’s up for auction again, and that puts me off a little. I may go and have a look.

I did tell myself not to buy auction again having burnt my. fingers previously.

Edited by crankedup5 on Thursday 30th March 16:58

crankedup5

Original Poster:

10,775 posts

42 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
jeremyc said:
crankedup5 said:
Still looking for a nice Riley one point five or a Wolesley 1500, didn’t think it would be such a difficult car to track down!
There are six Wolesley 1500s and two Riley 1.5s listed on Car & Classic at the moment.
Thanks, yes I have seen them but not quite what I’m after for various reasons. Shouldn’t be so fussy really considering the budget.

Riley Blue

21,634 posts

233 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
crankedup5 said:
Still looking for a nice Riley one point five or a Wolesley 1500, didn’t think it would be such a difficult car to track down!
The better examples change hands between enthusiasts without ever being advertised. Some even have waiting lists - most bizarre for such a modest little car that was low powered, had iffy handling and was prone to rust - I love mine!

ClaphamGT3

11,527 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
Out of interest, does anyone know if MCF25 is still floating about?

Riley Blue

21,634 posts

233 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
ClaphamGT3 said:
Out of interest, does anyone know if MCF25 is still floating about?
Grey One-Point-Five first registered 13 June 1958. It doesn't show on AskMid nor is it in the One-Point-Five Register.

ClaphamGT3

11,527 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
Riley Blue said:
ClaphamGT3 said:
Out of interest, does anyone know if MCF25 is still floating about?
Grey One-Point-Five first registered 13 June 1958. It doesn't show on AskMid nor is it in the One-Point-Five Register.
Strange. It belonged to a school friend of my brothers. He restored it as a teenager in the early 80s (parents owned a BLMC dealership and his father restored Jaguars as a hobby).

He used it for twenty years before I lost touch with him. Couldn't see him either parting with it or letting it go to seed

Riley Blue

21,634 posts

233 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
ClaphamGT3 said:
Riley Blue said:
ClaphamGT3 said:
Out of interest, does anyone know if MCF25 is still floating about?
Grey One-Point-Five first registered 13 June 1958. It doesn't show on AskMid nor is it in the One-Point-Five Register.
Strange. It belonged to a school friend of my brothers. He restored it as a teenager in the early 80s (parents owned a BLMC dealership and his father restored Jaguars as a hobby).

He used it for twenty years before I lost touch with him. Couldn't see him either parting with it or letting it go to seed
I'll make further enquiries tomorrow.