Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1345328

What do we think about 'specials' ?

I am reluctant to give my whole hearted support for what usually passes for a 'special' because to my mind they are very often far from it.

Then I saw this Riley and thought "WOW!"

The problem as we know is that far too many mundane but worthy saloons have been sacrificed to produce something rather less than special.

If the final outcome is a really great looking car should we feel quite as sad about the donor car.?

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2119 Location: East Yorkshire

I like 'specials'....
The world of 'specials' is one I have long dabbled in.

But I find that world changing somewhat, driven by the idea of 'value' and 'investment'....

Once upon a time the 'special' was the province of ardent motoring enthusiasts.
Sometimes to improve on what was available at the time...[Tribsas, Norvins, Tritons, etc for example]
Sometimes as a way of solving a motoring desire, when the objects of that desire are financially well out of reach? [The prolific post-WW2 flood of Ford-based specials, for example?}
Manufactures are as guilty as any at producing specials....

Or the creation of something useable out of something terminally unusable? [Re-cycling, if one will?}

What I do not like is the wanton destruction of old vehicles simply to produce something eminently more desirable, therefore more 'valuable' [in the marketplace] than the humble originals..

I have a Ford [Pop] chassis with logbook/vED...obtained wit the idea of making a Ford-based 'special'.....the body was kernackered...and well beyond my humble financial means to put right...But a special can be, simply, what it is.

Of course there are 'specials' built with a purpose in mind...for example, in the world of mucky trialling, the class 8 specials...Many not in any way pretty, but functional, in their creators' eyes. L love 'em all!
Including the Wolseley Hornet based special with its big Hornet engine, blown courtesy of, I think, some sort of Mercedes school-run special? No way was the body saveable, I recall.....although parts of it were used.....But, by 'eck it can climb!
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby

The above Riley "Blue Streak" special would have cost far more to produce than it will ever sell for so it doesn't fall into the category of an investment. That said; it will probably have entailed the destruction of the original 2 1/2litre "blue streak" Kestral for it's engine and no doubt the destruction of a charming 12hp Adelphi for it's superior chassis.

"You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs" is one way of looking at it.

mikeC · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 9:21 am Post subject:

That Riley is a fine-looking car, but at £145,000 there are any number of 'original' cars from the same period that I would far rather own. Like this Alvis, for example:

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1401776

or this Talbot 105 with period Factory competition history:

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1396199
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in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on!

Rootes75 · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 11:11 am Post subject:

Not sure where I sit with specials tbh but at £145k I am in agreement with Mike that I would go for something original and with some history.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh

Quite nicely done but why on earth does it need an ugly modern alternator?

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2119 Location: East Yorkshire

Possibly a 'space' issue? I note the alternator is mounted back-to-front?
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

mikeC · Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 1:48 pm Post subject:

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby

Brent29 · Joined: 07 Jun 2018 Posts: 63

That's a beautiful Riley! Putting modern parts is inevitable.

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7102 Location: Derby

Actually, the closer you look the more absurd the asking price.