Just out of complete curiosity (and a little bit of desire), does anyone have experience with the Riley Elf? Someone near me is selling a project car, RHD Elf. Anyone tried to restore one or own one?

 

I've got a MK3 Riley (roll up windows and hydrolastic suspension). The front panels are unique, but you can modify a mini front panel to work. The hood and grill are unique as is the trunk and back half of the quarterpanels. Bumpers are unique, too. Otherwise, mini panels work for the fenders, doors, floors, sills, etc.

(few other differences like hood hinges, some chrome edging around the front and sides)

Originally they came with a wood dash and leather interior but not too many have the leather interior any more or if they do it's crusty.

Drives like a mini because it's the same running gear and wheelbase but you get a helluva bump on the back of your head working on them because of that darned buck-toothed grill!

--Spank

 

Can you tell the year?
Here it is:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1051201404.html

Rust-EE. Can't tell if the dash is wood or not, but is the least of my concerns..
Yeah, the grill is pretty Edsel-ish, but this car looks like it's had some other grill fitted.

 

I assume you have already seen this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini

 

If you got somewhere to put it and if it has the vin tags intact I would have already brought it home. $600 bucks for any classic mini is nothing. You are not going to have it on the road for another $1000 bucks but you could tinker with it over time. It's not the best looking project car but it looks fixable if you wanted to.

 

They can be made to look reasonably acceptable.

http://superfastminis.com/index.htm

 

The term 'Bill of sale' always scares me. From my experience it means no title. You will want to find out about the title because it can be very difficult to register without it.

Just my $0.02.
Jeff

 

I assume there's no title. I'm tempted to drive out for a look-see, but we have very icy roads right now due to a snowstorm. No salt trucks or plows down here! Man, I would like those little cars much more without the buck tooth grills.

 

You could always turn it into a fake South African Wolseley.

http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?ado15saf.htm

 

Georgia doesn't do titles, does it?

Bill of sale is fine there......

 

Red Riley,
I wasn't paying attention-that's YOUR Riley V-TEC, huh? Wow.

 

I would check with the dmv and see if the vin is clear and not stolen. You should not have too much trouble getting a title because of the age.

 

I ended up close to buying it through a friend of my brother after all! I was set to make arrangements to tow it into town, but it looks like I made the call too late. If I didn't miss out, I'll have photos to post tomorrow...

 

It's gone, and the scuttlebutt has it that it went to Red Riley up there...That true?

 

Hmmmm, could be some truth in that.

 

Post some pictures of your purchase...

 

Haven't got any pictures yet, aside from what was on the Craigs listing. But here's the shopping list of what the car needs (at first glance anyway).

All it needs is:

Elf specific bits, (unobtainable or nearly so):
correct front panel
front slam panel
offside rear quarter
both wings
rear valance
rear slam panel
front and rear bumpers
dash
seats

Hydrolastic suspension specific bits:
front and rear subframes
hydro displacers
(in other words, everything)

Generally available non-Elf specific Mini bits:
both a-panels
full floor
inner and outer sills
lower bulkhead
wheels

Oh, and the motor is stuck.

Certainly other things that are not immediately apparent.

On the bright side, the doors and boot floor are in pretty good shape, the roof isn't completely rusted through, and the glass is all pretty good. And it came with a fair set of grills and waist trim.

Not complaining, though I'm pretty sure this is going to be a parts car. Thanks for the tip.

 

I've got a complete set of built up hydrolastic subframes! they were rebuilt some 10-15 years ago with new bags and bushings/bearings, brakes, used for about a year or 2 and then just parked. Car was torn down and totally customized so subframes removed and in storage since. I removed the front brakes/axles, but the rest is still complete/assembled with ALL the bits you need to convert a car back to hydro, including the hard lines and brackets on the bulkhead-- won't find a more complete setup, I'm sure off it.

Details and pics here on another forum LINK HERE

I've also got some motors and other mini (not elf-specific, though) bits that may help you out if you want it back on the road

--Spank

 

Here is the Riley in all it's glory! Now it is in SC.

 

Well, at least what's left of its glory.

 

And here is the real ugly. Front floors, kick panels and the worst transmission tunnel I have seen...........The seats look like a lion was loose inside the car! Oh yeah-two dinner plates came with the spare parts-you can see the edge of one of them sitting on the front seat.

 

Hey Red-

I saw your Elf in the Charleston, SC St. Pat's day parade yesterday. Awesome car in real life!

 

Thanks for noticing! It does look pretty good, doesn't it?
Your profile says you're in Massachusetts. What were you doing in Charleston?

 

"What were you doing in Charleston?"
Drinking green beer???

 

Too bad you didn't show up with the green Riley!