Riley 9 Monaco. (1933-35)

Riley 9 Monaco (HY6571)

Riley 9 Monaco (AJH331)

c1933 Riley 9 Monaco (UG4362)
Photo courtesy of Tony Gardner




By the end of 1932 the Monaco had 'grown up', and was now a fully metal bodied saloon. It was still the cheapest Riley saloon available, and sold strongly as a result, but in many ways this was the Monaco swansong. Aside from the 'new' Monaco of 1937, this was the last model, as in 1935 the Monaco was replaced by the Briggs bodied Merlin.

For 1933 the Monaco featured an all new body. Gone were fabric body panels, in place of the more usual metal panels. The change in material seems to have given the car quite a different appearance, even if the general shape hadn't changed. The rear doors were now hinged at the rear, rather than from the central pillar as on earlier models, but the crisply folded metal panels were the most noticeable difference.
At the front of the car, the nose seemed more prominent somehow, albeit an effect produced with just subtle detail work to the wings, radiator and headlamp positioning. The optional / after market bumpers that a number of Monacos now have has accentuated this effect.

Sales in 1933 were perhaps a little lower than previous years, but rebounded for 1934, before ttailing off dramatically in 1935 (in line with all 9 models, it has to be said) in advance of the launch of the new Merlin.

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

9hp 4 cyl ohv
Bore 60.3 stroke 95.2
compression 5.2:1
Capacity 1087 cc
42bhp at 3600rpm
Carburation Zenith

From 1932:
compression 5.5:1
Capacity 1089 cc
29bhp at 4500rpm
Carburration: SU / Zenith

4-speed gearbox.
Top gear ratio 5.25:1

SUSPENSION

Semi-elliptic

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase 8'10.5" (aprx 2690mm)
Track 4' (aprx 1200mm)
Length 12'9" (aprx 3830mm)
Width 4'9" (aprx 1440mm)
Tyres 4.5x19
Weight 18cwt

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 65mph
0-50 20secs
Fuel Consumption 30mpg