Strathclyde Area

Our area includes Glasgow and its environs in the north and spreads south to the border; it runs from Stranraer and the island of Arran in the west almost to Biggar in the east. We presently have some 18 members in the area. The majority live within a 30 mile radius of Glasgow but others live as far afield as Dumfries, Ballantrae and Arran.

We meet monthly at the Newhouse Hotel near junction 6 of the M8. The ‘meetings’ are very informal and are held on the third Monday of every month. Some of us go early and have dinner at the Hotel while the rest attend at 7.30pm just for the meeting. Usually wives and partners attend and the average month sees some 8/10 present. We arrange outings and road runs from time to time as circumstances fit – Drive it Day has become a fixture in our calendar.

At present many of our Rileys are at various stages of renovation and our meetings/outings sometimes raise only three or four cars – small; but perfectly formed, of course! Hopefully progress in the near future will see more back on the road.

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Biggar Rally

(A Grand Day Out)

By

Fred Carss

Sunday 13th August was the day and Biggar the destination - we’re not superstitious. The weather forecasts varied depending on the source, and ranged from reasonably warm and sunny to extremely wet and windy, thankfully on the day inclined more toward the former rather than the latter with the journey to Biggar mainly dry for most of us apart from the trucks throwing dirty water at our various classics from the standing water lying about from the overnight rain.

Rileys of various ages, types and colours arrived at our designated area and although wet underfoot, it was reasonably firm with no traction problems experienced.

When we arrived George and Jean Wilkinson were already there in their RMB which was laden with club signs, information boards etc. It was so well packed that as it was being unloaded it resembled some sort of magical ‘Harry Potter’  magical bag. Two large shelters, seats, signs, bunting supplies and a flagpole emerged and as they were laid out we awaited our instructions. George and Jean had obviously done this before and base camp was quickly assembled. We were organised!

The turnout of Scottish Rileys was impressive and varied with no two alike. In our company we had a unique gathering of three 1929 9hp machines, a fabric covered Monaco, a factory finished tourer and an Australian bodied tourer, 2 Lynx, a Kestrel 9, a Kestrel 22T, an Adelphi  and a 12/4 special  making up the pre war contingent plus in the RM stable a couple of As, a B, C,E and F all on display. Additionally we had, immediately adjacent to our compound (I think he was trying to sneak in) was a Heally Elliot saloon which I am reliably informed by the tech gurus in our company is a souped up Riley in disguise, this being one of less than 25 remaining from the original production of only 101 cars. That is one of the great features of our Marque that we have infinite variety with coach built, factory built, specials and derivatives of all shapes and sizes plus coats of many colours. Our display attracted its fair share of interest from the spectators and a few stopped to enquire about the cars.

As we assembled, old acquaintances were renewed and some new ones created and every one seemed to enjoy the day with plenty of chatter. Our personal picnics were enhanced by a supply of home baking from some of our ladies and some surplus drinks (alcohol free) from the recent SE barbeque.

The ‘lesser’ marques at the rally varied from Rolls Royce to Trabant with something to satisfy most interests. Whilst walking round it made me realise how many cars I have owned over the years that are now classics (unlike myself). I wish someone could restore me!

As the rally field started to empty, everyone pitched in as George performed his magic trick in reverse and everything was soon packed and ready for home.We are grateful to everyone who attended the rally under the Scottish Riley Enthusiasts banner (literally) and a special thanks to George and Jean for all their hard work in organising our entry and display.