1967 Riley Elf Mk III

The Riley Elf, along with the Wolseley Hornet was introduced in 1961 as a more luxurious version of the Mini. Each incorporated a different front end treatment with marque specific radiator grill, and a more distinctive boot than the original Mini, plus larger chrome hubcaps, additional chrome accents, bumper overriders and wood veneer dashboards. The Riley was the more expensive of the two. For the Mk II introduced in 1963, the engine was upgraded to a single carburettor version of the cooper 998cc unit. The Mk III of ’66 had wind-up windows and integral door hinges, neither of which appeared on a Mini until 1969.

This Elf Mk III resided in Oxfordshire during the late Eighties and Nineties, before finding its way to Kent, where it remained for much of the 2000s. At some point, it was possibly the subject of a restoration. For the last three years, it has been in the ownership of a Hampshire enthusiast, who has comprehensively recommissioned the Elf. We are told that cosmetically, the body is sound and solid, but the roof may benefit from some attention to the paintwork and the panel fit around the rear end could be improved. The interior is tidy, with freshly cleaned, later type seats (which are very comfortable and have the reclining mechanism) and underfelt fitted underneath the carpets, and the dashboard has recently been re-veneered and polished. The right hand door lock does need attention. The non-standard alloy wheels have also been polished and balanced. Mechanically, there are no known faults and the vendor tells us that the Elf runs sweetly, has excellent torque and good oil pressure. We are told that the braking system, carburettor and cylinder block have recently been overhauled, a recent new exhaust system has been fitted, as well as a new clutch and LED rear lights for modern motoring. An oil change was carried out approximately 230 miles ago. The vendor has cleaned, polished and undersealed the Riley too. The current mileage of 33750 is presumed correct from the motor car’s MOT test history dating from 1988 to 2004.

The Elf is supplied with a Haynes workshop manual, a spare parts catalogue, a repair guide for the BLMC Mini, a BMC workshop manual for the Hornet and Elf, and an Autopress workshop manual.  The history file contains the aforementioned MOT test certificates, road tax discs, an original Elf Mk III handbook, a copy of Practical Classics, invoices from a previous ownership, numerous invoices for parts procured during the current ownership an older V5C and the current V5C registration certificate.

SOLD