Lot 202: 1961 Riley 1.5 Historic Racing Saloon

Lovingly restored by various previous owners, this Riley 1.5 was in standard road trim when purchased in 2001 by the vendor. Converted to racing specification by CCK Motorsports Ltd and serviced by them between every race, its first competitive outing was at Donington Park in 2002. The Riley was immediately invited to participate in the St Mary’s Trophy Race at the Goodwood Revival meeting, where it appeared in 2002, 2004 and 2006 driven by celebrity co-driver ‘Smoking’ John Rhodes in 2002 and 2004 and Marino Franchitti last year.
The car has been steadily developed over the past five years by CCK Motorsports Ltd, providing its owner with six years of reliability in both Masters Top Hat and HRSR/HSCC. A very well known car, popular with the public, ‘WSJ 491’ has raced at Spa Francorchamps and Phoenix Park, Dublin, and in the Jack Sears’ Trophy Race at The Silverstone Classic Meeting.
The car has been prepared to HRSR/HSCC regulations and is eligible for Group C. It also complies with Masters Top Hat OBG Regulations when fitted with its steel boot and bonnet (included in the sale). There are a straight swap for the specially manufactured glassfibre boot and bonnet made by CCK to reduce weight for HRSR/HSCC events. Electronic ignition is available for use in HRSR/HSCC events. The car has FIA papers as a Production Car but would need to be returned to its original configuration to comply.
‘WSJ 491’ has been the subject of several articles and is pictured in the 2004 GRCC yearbook and other publications. Riley 1.5s are relatively rare on the racetrack, so entry to most, if not all, historic events has not proved a problem for the owner. The handling is reported as superbly neutral and the Riley is said to be easy to drive on, or even past, its limits. It is capable of much better times than the current owner’s as demonstrated by Messrs Rhodes, Franchitti and Shaun Rainford of CCK, all of whom go a lot faster. The engine is one season old and in excellent condition, as is the entire car.
This very pretty 1950s racing saloon car is offered with Swansea V5 document, Goodwood Revival paddock sign and various articles, etc. Too lengthy to include here, a full listing of its current technical specification is available for inspection together with an inventory of accompanying spares to include steel wheels and spare rear doors.