Riley is a name steeped in the history of legendary sporting road cars, boasting a legacy of triumphs in competition, rivalling esteemed marques like Bentley, Aston Martin, and HRG.

The 12/4 was first unveiled at the 1934 Olympia Motor Show and continued the success of its predecessor, the Nine, by harnessing the power of an outstanding Percy Riley-designed twin-cam engine.

The enlargement to 1.5-litres and ingenious modification resulted in a remarkable 51bhp output, granting the 12/4 a top speed exceeding 70mph – an impressive feat within its class.

The model was offered with three distinctive body options: the sleek and streamlined Kestrel, the upright Falcon saloon, and the open-top Lynx, paired with a choice of a standard manual or a pre-selector gearbox.

In 1936, the 12/4 was rebranded as the 1½-Litre, and its highly tuneable power unit continued in production until 1955, when the RME model met its end.

This incredible 12/4 Special, a testament to Riley expertise, was craft...