1928 Riley Wentworth 11.9hp Fixed Head Coupe with Dickey

The Riley company began as a manufacturer of bicycles; the first Riley motor cars were produced in 1898.  During the late 1920’s and throughout the 1930’s, the Coventry factory produced some of the best sporting models in the world.  Complimenting the launch of the Riley 9 at the 1926 motor show was the renamed 11.9hp 11-40, the new ‘12hp’. In 1928, Riley dramatically improved the latter model, with a modified engine, and new bodies. These new models included the Lulworth, the Midworth and the Grangeworth Saloons, together with the Wentworth Coupe, and Chatsworth Saloon.

We understand that this extremely original Wentworth is the only surviving example of its type. It is a well-documented motor car and known to the Riley Register. In the 1950s, it was owned by Mr W Warne, who treasured the Riley for almost forty years. During the 1980s, FL 6839 was the subject of a photographic body-off restoration, engine rebuild and thorough mechanical check. The restoration, we understand, was carried out sympathetically to retain the character and originality.  ‘Freddie’, as the Wentworth is affectionately known, has been in the current ownership for two years, but due to personal reasons, the vendor has very reluctantly decided to part with the motor car.

The vast history file contains the V5C registration certificate, the RF60 registration books, data, Riley Register articles featuring Freddie, old MOT test certificates, old road tax discs (including two dating back as far as 1937/38), correspondence, a photocopy instruction book, copy road test reports, starting instructions, an interesting hand-written book of records, data and drawings, and the aforementioned photographs.