1935 Riley MPH Roadster

This MPH appears to have been one of two cars to have carried its chassis number. The proposed reasons for this have been extensively researched and acknowledged, with both cars having full histories and legitimate claims to the MPH name. This example, with British Registration 'OW 7925', was in the ownership of privateer, Hector Dobbs.

In June of 1954, it was first seen in an advertisement in Motor Sport, where it is pictured and captioned 'Riley MPH One of these rare, fast 2-seaters, with a lovely body finished in red, 6-cylinder, 3-carburetor engine, forerunner of the successful E.R.A.s. Full weather equipment including zipped tonneau'. The car was later acquired by Frederick Clarke. By this point in history, the car was in a rather poor condition, and the engine had been replaced following front damage to the 6-cylinder unit. The MPH front-end torsion bar setup had been removed, the steering box mounting bracket was heavily lightened/drilled and the rear brakes were likewise altered to a Bowden cable setup. These three changes were Dobbs hallmarks, which adds credence to the claim that it was once in his ownership. The car also had the three carburetor setup, rather than the standard twin setup.

It is believed that following Clarke's ownership, it went to a Naval Officer based in Southampton. It later resurfaced with Peter Still. At this point the Riley was refurbished for the first time by Still and a period correct Riley six-cylinder power plant fitted.

From this point, its history is well-known and documented. Ownership included Chris Mann, Werner Oswald, Eckhart Berg, and Anthony Bamford. The Riley migrated to the USA in the late 1990s while in the care of Bill Roberts of Washington State. Mr. Roberts re-upholstered the car with a color that matched the body, strengthened its frame, and refurbished the wiring. He had the cross bar behind the driver and passenger pushed back, allowing additional interior room. Mr. Roberts used the car on various tours, including a few Colorado Grands, before it passed to David Cohen in Vancouver, BC.

Since 2008, it has been in the care of its current owner.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019

This 1934 Riley MPH was delivered new to Hector Dobbs at hedge End Motor Registry in Hampshire, England. It is believed that the car was used by Dobbs in competition. Dobbs, a Riley agent, had a history of racing that included a Riley Nine that, in modified form, won the Ripley Mountain Handicap in the 1934 BARC Easter Meeting.

The Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA) form states that this car was modified into an offset single-seater by Dobbs, and used with relative success during the 1930s. Most of its use was at Brooklands. Years later, the car was purchased by Arthur Dobson. In 1980, the Riley was treated to a restoration, bringing it back to its original two-seat sports car configuration. It is painted dark red with brown upholstery.

Though the restoration was to MPH specifications, a number of Dobbs lightweight racing parts remain, including Bowden cable-operated brakes, alloy steering box and column, alloy rear-axle components, forged eye springs, and a special pedal cluster.

During the last two decades, the car has continued to add to its racing resume, competing in many events including Mille Miglia Storica three times, the California Classic Rally, the Colorado Grand, the Coppa Dolomiti, the 1988-1994 Nurburgring Invitational Race, the 1992 Historic Festival at Silverstone, and the 1989 Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, where it took 2nd in class.

In 2008, this Riley MPH was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. It was estimated to sell for $275,000-$350,000. The lot was sold for $308,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009