Just bought a Riley One-Point-Five

[ClaphamGT3]

A few of you may remember my A35 thread, looking for a 'cute' 50s/60s classic car that I could enjoy with my 15 year-old daughter.

I stumbled across this earlier in the week, went to view this morning and did the deal

https://www.rsvintage.co.uk/for-sale-1/1961-riley-...

Expect lots of questions about upgrading to front discs and where to get seatbelts installed

[Granadier]

Funnily enough I watched a review of a Riley 1.5 by I Drive A Classic on YouTube the other day. Seemed an impressive model

[Hoofy]

Congrats! Looks like a fun first car.

[Ambleton]

Oh yes that's excellent.

Good purchase.

Un-fked A35s are amazing hard to find. The racers have snapped them all up!

Always easier to start with the best one you can find!

[grumpynuts]

Great little cars, I learnt to drive a car in one of these when i was 12, my dad was given it as it had failed its mot and as he had some land i could tear around it.He bought me a gallon of petrol and when it ran out my playtime stopped.Grey with red interior, lovely wooden dashnoard, and for a petrolhead kid, heaven was the rev counter. Enjoy the car, they hold great memories for me.I am 62 now so was a long time ago.

[Mercdriver]

I think midget discs and pads are a straight fit, does it have lever dampers like a midget? Worth changing to coil overs?

[vixen1700]

Nice one!

[Alex Z]

That’s really nice. Should be more fun to drive with the upgrades too.

[ferret50]

Wonder if an MG B engine/overdrive 'box would fit?.....

[Riley Blue]

An excellent choice but I would think that, wouldn't I?

It looks a good car with some useful modifications, the only additional one I'd add would be a front anti-roll bar (a Morris Minor kit will fit) it makes quite a difference.

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/front-suspension...

Discs are a good idea considering engine upgrade but don't expect a massive improvement. Also available from the above, as are telescopic damper kits.

Seat belts are easy, Securon are OK:

http://www.securon.co.uk/applications/app_list/nto...

or you could go for a more period look from QuikFit:

https://www.quickfitsbs.com

There's an excellent FB group for Riley One-Point-Fives and Wolseley 1500s, it's a good place to source spares and the Admin is a nice bloke...

[vixen1700]

ferret50 said:

Wonder if an MG B engine/overdrive 'box would fit?.....

Am I due a parrot.

That's what it has.

[Mercdriver]

Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think

[Mr Tidy]

That looks great - congratulations.

[Panamax]

vixen1700 said:

That's what it has.

Which is why those front discs are urgent. The expression "standing on the brakes" has real meaning in these old crocks. Nonetheless, how fast do you really want to go in it?

[vixen1700]

Mercdriver said:

Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think

Looking at the advert, it's an 1800 conversion.

[Riley Blue]

vixen1700 said:

Mercdriver said:

Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think

Looking at the advert, it's an 1800 conversion.

The early, three main bearing crank, MGB engine slots straight into a One-Point-Five; no modifications to the shell are necessary.

[ferret50]

Riley Blue said:

vixen1700 said:

Mercdriver said:

Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think

Looking at the advert, it's an 1800 conversion.

The early, three main bearing crank, MGB engine slots straight into a One-Point-Five; no modifications to the shell are necessary.

What about the o/d 'box, RB, will it clear the tunnel?

According to the linked advert, 'MGB engine, o/d 'box and rear axle' have been fitted. Assuming 14'' wheels it should be geared at a sensible 20mph/1000rpm.

[Riley Blue]

ferret50 said:

Riley Blue said:

vixen1700 said:

Mercdriver said:

Not true, block the same B motor, 1498cc in a Riley 1.5.

MGB is 1798 same block though I think

Looking at the advert, it's an 1800 conversion.

The early, three main bearing crank, MGB engine slots straight into a One-Point-Five; no modifications to the shell are necessary.

What about the o/d 'box, RB, will it clear the tunnel?

According to the linked advert, 'MGB engine, o/d 'box and rear axle' have been fitted. Assuming 14'' wheels it should be geared at a sensible 20mph/1000rpm.

The overdrive I'm not sure about. I've only seen one fitted and that needed some work on the tunnel. An alternative is to fit a Ford Type 9 five-speed 'box, conversion kits are available e.g.:

https://hi-gearengineering.co.uk/mga-5-speed-gearb...

[Shy Torque]

This one does very well at my local hill climbs.

[Panamax]

Shy Torque said:

This one does very well at my local hill climbs.

It's probably another MGB in disguise. That front anti-roll bar sure as hell wasn't standard equipment and I note the wing mirrors are folded in for aerodynamic efficiency!