The 1932 Riley Kestrel 14/6 represents a fascinating chapter in British motoring history, from an era when engineering excellence, individuality and elegant coachwork were becoming increasingly important to discerning motorists. Riley was among Britain’s most respected manufacturers of sporting motor cars during the interwar years, earning an enviable reputation for producing vehicles that combined spirited performance with refinement and distinctive styling. The Kestrel, with its graceful lines and unmistakable period character, remains a wonderful reminder of the craftsmanship and innovation that defined the marque.

Powered by Riley’s sophisticated 1.6-litre, six-cylinder engine, the 14/6 offered smooth performance and impressive engineering for its time. Riley’s reputation was built on advanced engine design, sporting success and a willingness to pursue technical solutions that set its cars apart from more conventional British manufacturers. The Kestrel combined these qualities with the comfort and practicality expected of a refined touring motor car, appealing to motorists who appreciated both mechanical sophistication and understated elegance.

Today, the Riley Kestrel 14/6 is a particularly interesting and increasingly uncommon sight on our roads. Its distinctive pre-war styling, beautifully proportioned coachwork and mechanical character make it an appealing proposition for collectors and enthusiasts of traditional British motor cars. More than simply a means of transport, a surviving example represents an important piece of Britain’s motoring heritage, offering its next custodian the opportunity to preserve, enjoy and experience a remarkable period in automotive history.

Offered here is a charming example of the 1932 Riley Kestrel 14/6, one of the most distinctive and technically interesting British sporting saloons of the early 1930s, produced by the renowned Coventry manufacturer, Riley Motors. Combining elegant coachwork, advanced engineering and genuine sporting character, the Kestrel represents a fascinating period in British motoring history when Riley was regarded as one of the country’s most innovative and respected manufacturers.

Introduced during the early 1930s, the Kestrel represented a move towards more streamlined and modern body design, influenced by the emerging Art Deco styling of the period. Its graceful fastback profile, flowing roofline and beautifully proportioned coachwork were considered advanced for their time, distinguishing the model from the more conventional, upright saloons of the era.

Under the bonnet sits Riley’s sophisticated 1.6-litre six-cylinder engine, coupled to a four-speed manual transmission, delivering lively performance and impressive refinement for a motor car of its generation. Producing approximately 51 horsepower, with a top speed approaching 75 mph, the Kestrel was notably brisk compared with many contemporary saloons that struggled to exceed 60 mph. Its smooth six-cylinder power delivery and excellent road manners helped establish Riley’s reputation for producing refined yet enthusiast-focused motor cars.

History and Provenance

This particular Riley was manufactured in England in 1932 before arriving in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1933. It has therefore spent more than 90 years in this country, making it an interesting survivor of New Zealand’s early motoring heritage.

With approximately six owners throughout its long life, including an impressive 34 years in the care of its previous custodian, this Riley has clearly been a motor car that successive owners have appreciated and retained for extended periods.

Vehicle Specifications and Highlights

• Year: 1932
• Make and Model: Riley Kestrel 14/6
• Chassis Number: 44T939
• Engine Number: 880025
• Country of Manufacture: England
• New Zealand Arrival: Dunedin, 1933
• Engine: 1,633cc six-cylinder petrol
• Transmission: Four-speed manual
• Power Output: Approximately 51 bhp
• Top Speed: Approaching 75 mph (120 km/h)
• Original Colour: Black
• Ownership History: Approximately six owners from new
• Previous Ownership: 34 years
• Condition: Extensively restored
• Mechanical Status: Runs and drives

Rarity and Historical Significance

The six-cylinder Kestrel is now a particularly uncommon motor car. We understand that possibly as few as ten examples are recorded on the Riley Register in England, although this figure has not been independently verified. Many original Riley saloons were dismantled over the years, with their engines and chassis repurposed for sporting specials, including supercharged competition cars.

Consequently, surviving examples retaining their original saloon configuration have become increasingly difficult to find. The Kestrel’s combination of sophisticated engineering, distinctive styling and sporting heritage makes it particularly interesting to collectors and enthusiasts of pre-war British motor cars.

Restoration and Condition

This Riley has been the subject of what appears to be an extensive restoration undertaken during previous ownership. We are advised that considerable time, effort and expenditure went into the work, with replacement components sourced from England where required and certain unavailable parts reportedly fabricated or hand-built.

The vehicle presents well for its age, reflecting the attention it has received over the years. While we have not independently verified the full extent or cost of the restoration, its overall presentation is evident in the accompanying photographs.

Important Sale Information

As shown in the photographs, this vehicle presents as having undergone substantial restoration work. It runs and drives and is being offered for sale as is, unregistered and without a current Warrant of Fitness (WOF).

The vehicle’s New Zealand registration lapsed some years ago. Any inspections, certification, compliance work or reinstatement of registration required for legal road use in New Zealand will be the responsibility of the purchaser.

Prospective purchasers are encouraged to undertake their own inspections and enquiries to satisfy themselves as to the vehicle’s condition, restoration history and requirements for returning it to road-legal status in New Zealand.

Final Thoughts

All in all, this 1932 Riley Kestrel 14/6 represents an appealing combination of pre-war engineering, elegant coachwork and genuine motoring history. Having arrived in New Zealand in 1933 and survived more than nine decades, it is a motor car that deserves recognition and preservation.

We would particularly like to see this Riley find a good home, preferably with an enthusiast or collector who understands its significance and will continue to look after, preserve and appreciate it for many years to come.

An interesting opportunity to acquire a distinctive pre-war British sporting saloon with a long-standing New Zealand history.

The market for pre-war British motor cars remains a specialised but well-established sector of the collector car world, attracting enthusiasts who place considerable value on historical significance, engineering individuality and the pleasure of owning something genuinely different. Within this market, Riley enjoys a particularly respected position, thanks to its sporting pedigree, innovative engineering and strong association with Britain’s golden age of motoring.

From a collectibility perspective, the Kestrel 14/6 occupies an interesting position. While the more famous Riley competition models and open sporting cars generally attract greater attention and stronger prices, the closed saloons offer collectors an opportunity to acquire an equally fascinating piece of the marque’s history, often at a more accessible level. Their appeal lies not simply in outright performance or investment potential, but in the combination of craftsmanship, period character and the ownership experience they provide.

Rarity is undoubtedly an important consideration, although scarcity alone does not necessarily translate into higher market values. The collector market tends to favour vehicles with recognisable heritage, established enthusiast support and a documented history. Uncommon pre-war saloons can therefore represent excellent opportunities for dedicated marque enthusiasts, particularly when compared with more widely recognised sporting models commanding substantially higher prices.

International auction results demonstrate that there remains a market for pre-war Riley saloons, although transactions are relatively infrequent and values can vary considerably. Recent

Another important consideration is the international nature of the collector market. Although New Zealand has an established vintage motoring community, the potential audience for a specialist vehicle of this nature extends to Britain, Australia and other countries where there are active Riley clubs and dedicated pre-war motoring enthusiasts. Finding the right purchaser can be more important than achieving a quick sale, particularly with cars that appeal to a relatively small but knowledgeable group of collectors.

Looking ahead, the long-term appeal of these vehicles is likely to remain closely associated with their historical importance, authenticity and the enthusiasm of the communities that support them. While the market for pre-war saloons is generally more selective than that for prestigious sports cars, genuinely interesting survivors continue to have a place in established collections.

Ultimately, the Riley Kestrel 14/6 is best appreciated as a collector’s motor car rather than a speculative investment. For the right enthusiast, the attraction lies in acquiring something seldom encountered, with a strong marque identity and a level of individuality that more commonplace classics simply cannot offer.

New Zealand Sales
Unless otherwise stated, vehicles sold for use in New Zealand will be supplied with a new Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and 12 months New Zealand registration at the time of sale.

Transport & Shipping
New Zealand transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged on the Buyer’s behalf and at the Buyer’s cost and risk. Any freight, shipping, insurance, customs charges, duties, taxes, import costs, certification or compliance costs are the responsibility of the Buyer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Export Sales
For vehicles purchased for export, the Buyer is responsible for determining and satisfying all import, registration, certification, compliance, tax and regulatory requirements applicable in the destination country.

Viewing
All vehicle inspections and viewings are strictly by appointment only.

Applicable Law
All sales are subject to applicable New Zealand law. Nothing in these Conditions of Sale excludes or limits any statutory rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime, or contact us through the form below.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak.

NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993

Waimak Group Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”. Waimak Group Ltd is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Group Ltd does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Group Ltd.

The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.