Vintage postbag , July 1952

Sir,

I have only recently been introduced to Motor Sport by a friend sending me a cutting from the March issue containing Mr Huckstepp’s letter and the photograph of his Triumph Super Seven.

My wife and I own a similar, although slightly older model, and by a remarkable coincidence recently had the good fortune to meet Mr Huckstepp purely by chance, when we were able to make a most interesting comparison of our respective vehicle. His engine was the best example of cleanliness I have ever seen ! I hope we may meet again.

Our Triumph possesses all the characteristics and virtues of its clan and with two hefty children in the back seat usually goes more heavily laden than its Surrey counterpart !

I am, Yours, etc.,

AV Griffin, Ferring.

Sir,

Recently the urge “to get something different” overcame me, and whilst searching for a Mark IV Riley Nine, I was offered instead a 1927 11.9 sv tourer of the same make. After a great deal of hesitancy on my part, I decided to invest. That was five months ago, and I have now grown very fond of this honest-to-goodness vintage car. Naturally enough I have since kept my eyes open to try to spot another one like ber—so far without result. I have combed car parks at Vintage events, and the nearest so far is the Redwing, yet I have been told that mine is not one of these. There are slight differences, notably in the wings. I have, therefore, wondered if this particular type is now very rare, and I should appreciate any information coneerning the car, and/or the whereabouts of other examples of which you or your readers may have knowledge. [We imagine others exist. A saloon was offered for sale in London recently.—Ed]

Incidentally, I am virtually the third owner in all the car’s twenty five years. The last one only kept her for a very short time, his wife finding the truly crash-box a bit too much to master.

The Riley is absolutely original except for a modern wind-screen wiper, which I thought was justified, and a new hood. Her total mileage when purchased by me was 69,000. Oil consumption is negligible, being somewhere around 3,000 to the gallon (!) and I am assured the engine has never been rebored. Her second owner informed me that this gratifying lack of appetite for oil was the result of fitting Simplex rings way back in 1936. Which would seem to prove something or other. The car still has the original carpets, and strangely enough, the clock, which still keeps good time.

Like most vintage machinery nowadays, the Riley is a source of interest wherever she goes, and can still show some moderns a clean pair of neatly-finned rear-brake drums when challenged. Her maximum indicated speed is somewhere near 65, though the thought of having to replace the venerable con-rods and crankcase prevents me from trying for that too often.

This, by the way, was the car which you saw at Lasharn Aerodrome during the last Riley Rally, and which was mentioned in Motor Sport last April.

I am, Yours, etc.,

CW Cooper, Thursley.

Sir,

You may be interested in the enclosed photograph of one of the original Morris-Oxfords, which has recently come into my possession.

Unused since 1927, still covered in 1914-18 army brown paint, it was resuscitated early this year, and I ran it for the first time on my return from the Monte Carlo Rally. Nothing has been done to the engine apart from renewing the leads from the magneto to the plugs. The engine is the White and Poppe, with carburetter of the same make. Engine No 6096, chassis No 218. I am informed that the chassis numbers started at 100. The body is a special one, enclosing the gear-lever and hand-brake both on the right-hand side. Tyres are new, of course, brake linings were renewed, the body and chassis stripped and repainted, and a new hood was made. It lacked a rear lamp but the village cycle shop here supplied one, approximately the age of the car, unused, unsold, still in its original carton marked 6s 9d.

I am, Yours, etc.,

Frank AA Wootton, MSIA, Alieston