1968 Riley Elf MkIII *Sold £13,500*

Description

• Award Winner
• 1380cc engine
• Magazine featured
• Comprehensive overhaul and upgrades

Everyone knows how much fun any Mini model is. If you combine those fun memories with a great tuning, tasteful period upgrades and an extensive overhaul, you’ll end up with something like this stunning Riley Elf. All the fun and charm of the standard Elf with motorsport mechanicals.

Rarely does a truly, one-off, stand-out classic come along. This one takes some beating.

Background

The Riley Elf had all the Mini’s great attributes but with added originality and individuality.

In 1961, the Mini range was two years old, and BMC had most areas covered; the family saloon, the commercial van, the pick-up and of course the sporty saloon. The next logical progression was a luxury version. That was the objective of launching the Riley Elf.

The vendor of this Riley has taken things up a notch or two. It was first registered on 17 January 1968 making it a later Mk III model. He has owned it since 2005 and carried out extensive work.

• High quality body refurbishment
• Very good, period mechanical upgrades
• Expensive interior upgrades

All that has resulted in an Award-Winning Riley. Meet Alfie.

Mechanicals:

Engine 

• 1984 1275 A series plus engine – Bored out to 1380cc
  • Please note that the V5 states the engine size as 1020cc so will need to be updated with DVLA by the new owner
• MAR Motorsport piston
• Reground and balanced crank
• New shells and thrusts
• AC Dodd road cam and followers
• New oil pump
• New timing chain and tensioners
• Adjustable oil pressure valve
• Braided oil pipes
• Three branch exhaust
• Lightened flywheel
• Quick shift gear lever
• Stage II head, running double valve springs
• AC Dodd recurved electronic distributor matched to cam profiles
• High-capacity water pump with 11 blade fan and alloy rad
• Rebuilt carburettors
• Under bonnet soundproofing

Brakes 

• Cooper S master cylinder
• Cooper S brake discs
• Four pot alloy calipers
• In-line servo
• Adjustable rear brake regulator
• Minifin drums
• Braided hoses

Suspension

• Hydro suspension
• Competition bump stops
• Front shockers
• Adjustable rear caster/camber brackets

With solid Mini underpinning, Rileys like Alfie were always going to have that familiar go-kart-like handling that is so enjoyable.

Alfie has had all the right things upgraded. Those engine mods are spot on the money, giving a mixture of performance, everyday drivability and rock-solid trustworthiness with mods like the coolant system and oil pump. It is easy to overlook these essentials and go for all-out performance. That often ends badly with a con rod getting frightened of the dark and existing swiftly through the side of the block. This is a well thought through and well put together package.

Outside

Well, see for yourself. Those lovely images speak volumes.

• We are advised a bare metal respray was undertaken
• Alfie is now finished in Ford Motor Co Vision Blue. It does look a vision too
• Front plastic inner wheel arch protectors are to look after that bodywork
• Britax sunroof
• P700 headlamps

Inside

The Elf was positioned as a luxury model and Alfie has had the base built on and improved

• Full width walnut dash
• Twin glove boxes
• Cobra seat conversion
• Matching door cards and centre console
• Ignition steering lock
• Five instrument binnacle
• 130mph speedo (don’t try it)
• 12v socket
• USB port
• Wood rimmed steering wheel
• Matching gear knob on that short shifter
• New headlining
• Blue colour-coded floor coverings in very good condition

The quality and attention to detail are very good. A delightful touch is that push button start.

It isn’t often we are lost for words, so we’ll let the images and the video do the talking

Summary

Is Alfie the best and most well sorted Elf on the market? Well, independent Judges thought so.

With a very thorough, extensive overhaul, this is certainly a rare opportunity to own a one-off outstanding, show-winning classic that is going to provide a great deal of pleasure to the lucky new owner.