One-Off 1936 Riley Nine Monaco Special

A one-off blue 1936 Riley Nine Monaco Special arriving at and leaving Clearman's restaurants during the 2023 Holiday Motor Excursion presented by the Horseless Carriage Club (HCCA) of Southern California. This car was built by Rod Yates in 2018 using a 1936 Riley Nine chassis and features a Riley 12/4 engine and a handcrafted aluminum body.

Here in the States, it's not surprising that the majority of cars at pre-war car events are from American manufacturers. Many times you'll also get a nice sprinkle of British classics, namely Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. But the Riley name is one that most people in this country (including myself) are unfamiliar with. The company traces its roots all the way back to the 1890s as a bicycle manufacturer, and the Nine was one of its most successful cars. Despite being a more modern custom build, this car would have looked and felt right at home on a 1930s racetrack. And it certainly stands out today, even among the numerous other vintage cars that show up for the annual Holiday Motor Excursion.

Would you choose this Riley over the 1928 Bentley parked next to it? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!