SHERYL'S 1964 MKII RILEY ELF

1965 Riley Elf MkII Originally sold in New Plymouth, New Zealand to Jessie Turnbull on 20.12.65. In 1970 it was purchased by Phyllis MacDonald, and ownership was later transferred to her son Andy in 1993. The car had been involved in an accident and Andy bought another 'wrecked' Elf

and swapped the necessary parts to get one whole Elf. Lack of time meant he abandoned the project, and in June 1998 he decided to sell the car and his collection of parts. Not just sell it, he wanted to be sure it would go to a person who would complete the restoration that he had

begun. On June 15 the car was sold to Sheryl for the sum of $250 (approx 80 pounds or $150 US) under the assurance that it would be treated as a classic. For the $250 Sheryl got: 1 body with engine and wheels, and the following spare parts: 3 x wheel rims, a full set of glass,

wiring loom, steering wheel, tail-lights, radiator, four front seats and two rear, extra chrome fittings, grille, front bumper. All up there was about one and a half cars' worth! The body had been de-rusted and needed only minor repairs before getting a coat of primer (pictured).

The inside wasn't too difficult, first everything was stripped and then given two spray coats of Hammerite paint, then primed and painted in what was to be the final shade of grey. Lined the floor with underfelt then put in the carpet and seats. I have a spare dashboard and one day would like to get it re-varnished to replace the current one which is staring to crack.

Well that was the outside and inside done - but what about under the bonnet? Apart from spiders, leaves and cockroaches (it had sat outside under a tree since 1997) there was a 1275cc engine. Just briefly, to get it legal it needed: rebound rubbers, 1 x wheel bearing, distributor, plugs, points, ht leads

gear change seal, temperature sender unit, rocker cover gasket & rubbers, thermostat, radiator bracket, universal joint, engine stabiliser rubber, steering rack, new brakes, 4 x tyres, 1 x headlight, 1 x taillight, interior indicator flasher, wheel alignment, oil & lube, tune up . . . and . . .

but it was all worth it. All the work was done before the end of July and it was road-legal. The paint- work was done in about October. In January I celebrated six-months trouble free motoring. In that six months the only expense apart from petrol was $3 for two number plate lights which blew.

At its six-monthly warrant of fitness inspection all they found was one universal needing replacing which cost a further $107, not bad for a 33 year old car. It's proven very economical to run, totally reliable and has never let me down - it has no problem with wet weather like some Minis do.

For the future . . . at present I'm just happy to drive it as it is. On my 'want list' are sheepskin covers for the front seats, maybe a reconditioned 1275 one day as the current one is a bit tired, apart from that I'm keen to keep everything standard, and to remain the original 'Elfgirl'.

My friend Selwyn is currently building this Jaguar SS100 replica, this is me being lucky enough to actually drive it (well I did get to back it into his garage!) One day I might let him drive the Elf!
. . . and here I am again with my Elf and my Harley - two very cool vehicles . . .

WEBSITE CREATION, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT BY GLENN JONES

	1965 Riley Elf MkII Originally sold in New Plymouth, New Zealand to Jessie Turnbull on 20.12.65. In 1970 it was purchased by Phyllis MacDonald, and ownership was later transferred to her son Andy in 1993. The car had been involved in an accident and Andy bought another 'wrecked' Elf
	and swapped the necessary parts to get one whole Elf. Lack of time meant he abandoned the project, and in June 1998 he decided to sell the car and his collection of parts. Not just sell it, he wanted to be sure it would go to a person who would complete the restoration that he had
	begun. On June 15 the car was sold to Sheryl for the sum of $250 (approx 80 pounds or $150 US) under the assurance that it would be treated as a classic. For the $250 Sheryl got: 1 body with engine and wheels, and the following spare parts: 3 x wheel rims, a full set of glass,
	wiring loom, steering wheel, tail-lights, radiator, four front seats and two rear, extra chrome fittings, grille, front bumper. All up there was about one and a half cars' worth! The body had been de-rusted and needed only minor repairs before getting a coat of primer (pictured).
	The inside wasn't too difficult, first everything was stripped and then given two spray coats of Hammerite paint, then primed and painted in what was to be the final shade of grey. Lined the floor with underfelt then put in the carpet and seats. I have a spare dashboard and one day would like to get it re-varnished to replace the current one which is staring to crack.
	Well that was the outside and inside done - but what about under the bonnet? Apart from spiders, leaves and cockroaches (it had sat outside under a tree since 1997) there was a 1275cc engine. Just briefly, to get it legal it needed: rebound rubbers, 1 x wheel bearing, distributor, plugs, points, ht leads
	gear change seal, temperature sender unit, rocker cover gasket & rubbers, thermostat, radiator bracket, universal joint, engine stabiliser rubber, steering rack, new brakes, 4 x tyres, 1 x headlight, 1 x taillight, interior indicator flasher, wheel alignment, oil & lube, tune up . . . and . . .
	but it was all worth it. All the work was done before the end of July and it was road-legal. The paint- work was done in about October. In January I celebrated six-months trouble free motoring. In that six months the only expense apart from petrol was $3 for two number plate lights which blew.
	At its six-monthly warrant of fitness inspection all they found was one universal needing replacing which cost a further $107, not bad for a 33 year old car. It's proven very economical to run, totally reliable and has never let me down - it has no problem with wet weather like some Minis do.
	For the future . . . at present I'm just happy to drive it as it is. On my 'want list' are sheepskin covers for the front seats, maybe a reconditioned 1275 one day as the current one is a bit tired, apart from that I'm keen to keep everything standard, and to remain the original 'Elfgirl'.
	My friend Selwyn is currently building this Jaguar SS100 replica, this is me being lucky enough to actually drive it (well I did get to back it into his garage!) One day I might let him drive the Elf! . . . and here I am again with my Elf and my Harley - two very cool vehicles . . .