1930 Riley Nine Biarritz

Estimate: £15,000 - £18,000*

Reg No: VX 9166 MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: 6011879

It is no exaggeration to say that the appearance of the 1100cc 9hp Riley at the Olympia Show October 1926, revolutionised concepts of ‘light car’ design - its lower build and advanced engine, which developed remarkable power for its size, began a chain of development that later spawned the E.R.A. racing voiturettes. Arguably, no other ‘light car’, produced in similar quantities, offered anything comparable.

The range of bodies was further extended in 1929, with the Biarritz saloon (19291932) added to the line-up, as a de-luxe version of the Monaco. For 1930, further developments included chassis improvements (lowering the car).

This charming MkIV Plus Biarritz, one of fewer than 500 believed produced, was manufactured in 1930, being registered new in Essex on the 2nd of January 1931. 1973 saw the car move to Haverfordwest, benefitting from maintenance by wellrenowned marque specialists Blue Diamond Services during long-term ownership (invoices on file). ‘VX 9166’ clearly appealed to Blue Diamond founder, Ian Gladstone, who subsequently purchased the car in 2001.

Comprehensive engine and gearbox overhauls were completed in Gladstone’s beneficial custodianship, totaling over £4000 worth of expenditure. More recently, the Riley has benefitted from a dynamo overhaul, new regulator, and column switch refurbishment in 2017. Since being acquired by the vendor in 2020, the Nine has benefitted further with c.£4,500 expenditure at Blue Diamond Riley Specialists, all documented in the history file.

Finished in Crimson Lake with a Black roof, running boards and bonnet, the pleasingly original interior is in a complementing Chestnut Brown leather. The 1.1-litre straight-four engine is allied to the four-speed manual transmission, with the originality maintained under the bonnet, with ‘VX 9166’ retaining its single Solex carburettor, Autovac, and B.T.H. magneto. Displaying a real charm and character, it’s a very rare surviving example of a Biarritz saloon, with less than twelve roadworthy examples believed to remain. Accompanied by a collection of invoices, buff-continuation log-book, older MOTs, tax discs, original instruction book and the current V5C.