2008 Portfolio of Classic Car work

In 2008 I managed to complete a total of 21 separate jobs, ranging from a simple electrical check of a rare 1932 Amilcar to a pretty thorough overhaul of an imported Riley Drophead last used over 20 years before. You don't want to see them all, so I have chosen my favourite four. The full list of cars is at the bottom of the page.

1950 Riley 2½-Litre Drophead

  • Rebuilt brakes, water pump, carbs
  • Serviced everything that moves
  • Bodywork repairs to doors, bumpers, wheels
  • Repairs to wiring loom, heater, starter, control box

This Wyoming-registered Riley had come to the UK with its owners in the 1980s but wasn't roadworthy - now it's in regular use.

1958 Ford Anglia

  • Replaced brakes, which were ruined with rust and brake fluid everywhere due to long standing
  • Fitted new exhaust
  • Got the MoT for its 50th birthday!

Low-mileage and rust-free, this little family car had stood for many years and needed a bit of help to get going again.

1947 Riley 1½ Litre

  • Freed stuck brakes, replaced 30-year-old tyres
  • Replaced flaky fuel tank, repaired level sender
  • Got lights working again, serviced electrical parts
  • Replaced exhaust, sundry other repairs

This beautiful low-mileage car had become cantankerous through lack of use - some kind words and gentle spanners put it right.

1934 Riley 9 "Kestrel"

  • Cylinder head off to replace blown head gasket
  • Flushed out engine to remove water from oilways
  • Chassis and transmission lubrication service
  • Road tested, adjusted and returned to customer

This handsome car had a recurring head gasket problem, solved in consultation with the engine rebuilder.

 

A busy year, 2008!

As well as the four cars pictured above, I worked on sixteen others. Most were post-war Riley "RM" series, which seek me out as I own one myself. They were (in no particular order);

  • Morris Minor 1000 Convertible
  • 1948 Triumph Roadster
  • 1932 Amilcar
  • 1965 Rover 3-Litre
  • 1935 Riley 9 "Monaco"
  • Two Riley 2½ Litre Saloons - one of them twice, with different owners.
  • Seven Riley 1½ Litre Saloons, and a 1½ Litre engine without its car!
  • 1956 Riley "Pathfinder"

Tasks carried out ranged from a complete engine strip and rebuild (Riley 1½ Litre), through brake servo replacement and electrical facelift (Pathfinder), to a thorough service (Morris).