1938 Riley 12/4 Kestrel - Rare Six-Light Model with Overdrive

£17,500

Note: This car has been reserved for another customer

1938 Riley 12/4 Kestrel - Rare Six-Light Model with Overdrive

Few pre-war sporting saloons combine practicality, character and touring ability quite as successfully as the Riley 12/4 Kestrel. This particularly attractive 1938 example is one of the desirable late six-light models and benefits from the sought-after manual three-speed overdrive gearbox.

Following the recent sale of another Riley Kestrel to the Czech Republic, we are delighted to welcome this handsome and increasingly scarce example back to The Garage.

One of the final series produced, the car differs from earlier Kestrels through its distinctive slatted radiator grille, straight bumpers and cleaner bonnet design without side louvres, giving it a notably more modern appearance.

The car has passed through the hands of several knowledgeable Riley enthusiasts and has benefitted from continued improvement and maintenance in recent years. Today it presents extremely well as an older restoration and remains a particularly appealing example.

Finished in traditional British Racing Green, the paintwork presents very attractively, while the interior remains in excellent condition following earlier refurbishment. The upholstery is especially smart, requiring only a small repair to the driver’s seat.

A particularly desirable feature is the manual three-speed overdrive gearbox, which has been rebuilt in recent years and transforms the car’s touring capability.

Documentation includes a buff RF60 logbook dating back to 1953, numerous invoices and supporting paperwork, together with information relating to the gearbox rebuild. Pleasingly, the car also retains its original registration number.

Rarely do late-model six-light Kestrels become available. Combining attractive coachwork, overdrive transmission, original registration and excellent provenance, this is a highly usable pre-war Riley ready to be enjoyed by its next custodian.

Short video included with photos.

Viewings are strictly by appointment.

To arrange a convenient time, please email enquiries@robinlawton.com.

Worldwide delivery can be arranged and we regularly assist with European export requirements through trusted transport partners who manage the process directly for our clients.