A genuine Gamecock which was at significant expense beautifully restored from the ground up by Blue Diamond, Ian Pitney and other renowned specialists over a 4 year period.

Originally found and purchased by a Mr Stapleton via Andrew Booth at Orchard Cars in the early 2000's, he never got around to restoring it, rebuilding an Amilcar L Type Saloon instead!

Subsequently bought at auction by a committed Riley man who first learnt to drive in a "Monaco" some 70 years ago who then undertook the huge job of its rebuild.

The initial collecting of genuine items and period parts started almost immediately after purchase in 2011; reading the comprehensive emails/notes on file, it encompassed pretty much all the main Riley protagonists, much was sourced by the owner directly, albeit both Blue Diamond and Ian Pitney evidently engineered a great deal with regard to the chassis, body frame, engine and running gear.

There are realms of invoices in large 2 box files covering every aspect of this marvellous build...it's impossible to précis all of the information for you here but rest assured, there is also photographic evidence of the build and all of it certainly makes very interesting reading and leaves you slightly in awe of our friend who undertook such a task.

I haven't totted up the total spend but it over £60,000...looking at the remarkable craftsmanship and the hours it takes to fabricate bodies and frames, let alone all the engineering, its relatively easy to see where all the hours have been spent producing such a superb car which assuredly is better than when new.

Gordon Ager of The Riley Register was invaluable in helping with it being correctly re-registered on its existing chassis/engine numbers, whilst Robin Lawton who undertook the Clubs visual inspection on behalf of the DVLA declared, "totally restored to a very high standard & to original specification"...praise indeed!

The project didn't incorporate a roof as the owner was and remains very much an 'open top' man, that said, we are having a bespoke tonneau made which will help protect the rather lovely carpets and leather interior from the elements.  

Given the fine weather I've driven some 15 miles across some ideal Surrey/Sussex roads and its an utter delight....happily cruising and holding a genuine 45mph - also plan on attending the VSCC meet at Bulls Cross on the last Wednesday of the month or ofcourse you can view the Gamecock here at our Rudgwick showroom.

We would be delighted to arrange a viewing at our Rudgwick (West Sussex) showroom, or to discuss this Riley in further detail, please contact Julien Sumner on 07788 856700.

‍

‍