12/4 Kestrel Special Professionally manufactured 1935 for sale

What a fantastic machine this 1935 Riley 12/4 Kestrel Special is. Low, narrow, and with exactly the kind of presence that makes a British sports car from the 1930s so appealing. This is not a car trying to be modern or perfect. Quite the opposite. Here, everything revolves around mechanics, form, sound, and the experience behind the wheel. This Riley was professionally restored and rebuilt by a specialist in prewar automobiles, with the body constructed using traditional methods. The result? An exceptionally attractive Special that is fully ready to be driven and enjoyed. And that term "Special" deserves a little explanation when it comes to Riley. In the world of prewar British sports cars, there is an especially enthusiastic community surrounding cars built around historic Riley mechanical components. Building and driving such Specials is part of a tradition that has existed for many decades. After all, Riley did not merely produce refined saloons and tourers; during the 1930s, the marque also built a strong reputation with sporting and competition cars. Specials have therefore long formed part of the broader Riley story. This Kestrel Special was built by someone who understands how a prewar automobile should be constructed. The body was made using traditional techniques, just as it would have been in period. It is all about proportions, details, and the proper use of materials. Look at the long hood, the small windshield, the freestanding headlights, and the narrow body, and the whole picture simply works. The Riley 12/4 is technically interesting as well. Under the hood is a 1,496 cc four-cylinder engine designed by Hugh Rose. For its time, the construction was quite sophisticated, with two camshafts mounted high in the engine block. It is precisely this kind of unconventional engineering that made Riley such an interesting manufacturer during this period. Because a Riley like this is something you only truly understand once you are out on the road. You sit in the open air, look out over that long hood, and experience every mechanical sound completely unfiltered. You feel what the car is doing, you are genuinely engaged in the act of driving, and every mile demands a little more involvement than it would in a modern sports car. That is not a disadvantage. That is exactly why you want a Riley Special. Its driving characteristics are combined with rear-wheel drive and a chassis design that is entirely true to the era. This is motoring stripped back to its essentials. And perhaps that is one of the most enjoyable things about the world of Riley Specials. These cars invite you to use them. They are perfectly suited to historic events, touring rallies, and gatherings, but they are every bit as enjoyable when, on a crisp Sunday morning, you simply decide to open the garage and go for a drive. Destination unknown. Jacket on, goggles in place, and off you go. This Riley 12/4 Kestrel Special offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the world of prewar motoring. A professionally built Special, traditional coachbuilding, fascinating Riley engineering, and an enthusiastic community of owners and experts surrounding it. A car that can turn almost every drive into a small event in its own right. Interested? Contact us today. We will be delighted to assist you. You are very welcome at Gallery Aaldering, active since 1975. We have many years of experience exporting our vehicles worldwide. Please feel free to ask us about the possibilities.