Lot Ended
Description
In
single-family ownership from 1958 - 2013; only 4,000 miles since full
engine rebuild by Blue Diamond; lots of history; much recent expenditure;
well-maintained and in regular use; ready to enjoy with room for all the
family
Introduced for the 1936 season, the Merlin marked the first
real step-change to the hugely successful Nine since it had made its debut back
in 1926. Whereas all its predecessors had been traditional coachbuilt models,
the Merlin was the first Riley to feature an all-steel body, manufactured by
Briggs Motor Bodies.
Built on an entirely new ‘Light 9’ box section
chassis with tubular cross-members and cable bracing, the side members liberally
drilled to save weight, it had a streamlined, four-light saloon body that
mirrored the larger 1.5-litre Falcon.
Mechanically, it retained the
brilliant 1,087cc twin-cam engine, known for its hemispherical combustion
chambers and spirited performance, usually paired with a Wilson pre-selector
gearbox. To keep pace with modern standards, it was equipped with Girling rod
brakes and a large sliding sunroof came as standard, the spare wheel being
recessed into the boot lid.
Only in production for two years, it was one
of the last proper Rileys before the firm was taken over by the Nuffield Group
in 1938.
First registered in Kent in December 1935, this Merlin comes
with a large history file extending back many years which will take the next
owner quite some time to digest. The first owner was a doctor in Maidstone who
kept it for two years before selling it to an architect in London who kept if
for 21 years and used it for work, driving from site to site.
For the
next 55 years (1958 – 2013) it was owned by the Pryer family of Blackheath,
correspondence on file relating how it was extensively used until the mid-1960s,
including a tour of the Swiss Alps in 1960, and very lightly used
thereafter.
In 2005/2006 it had a major mechanical overhaul by Blue
Diamond Services, including a full engine rebuild, which cost around £9,000. It
was then in regular use over the next few years, covering around 3,000 miles
with lots of bills for routine upkeep, before the Pryer family finally sold it
via Robin Lawton in Dember 2013.
It has had another six owners since who
have all looked after the car well, as shown by many more invoices on file.
Noteworthy expenditure includes all five wheels refurbished and fitted with a
new set of tyres in 2014.
In 2016 the interior was refreshed with new
carpets, new front seat foams and leather covers and refurbished woodwork. All
the door, window and boot seals were replaced as required, and much of the
interior and exterior brightwork was rechromed.
In 2017 the ignition
system was fully overhauled with many new components and a refurbished
carburettor supplied by Keith Pointing was also fitted. The steering and
suspension also got various new bushings.
In 2022 the Lucas distributor
and associated components were replaced using items supplied by Distributor
Doctor at a cost of £580. A new coil was also fitted. Most recently, it had
a complete radiator overhaul and a new core supplied by Newquay Radiators of
Cornwall at a cost of £943.
Always in light regular use, CKM
348 has still only covered around 4,000 miles since the engine was rebuilt
by Blue Diamond, the gradual accumulation of mileage being charted
by various old MOTs on file. As you can see in the photos, it is a very
attractive looking car that has been properly looked after by a series of Riley
Register members.
Starting easily and running very nicely as we have
moved it around on site, with healthy 40psi oil pressure, this well-historied
Merlin is on offer here at a fraction of the costs lavished upon it over
the past 20 years or so.
Consigned
by James Dennison – 07970 309907 –
james.dennison@brightwells.com