1934 Riley Kestrel in TV vintage car auction Bangers and Cash

The auction will be part of the Bangers and Cash programme that airs on UKTV Yesterday and will feature a selection of cars curated by auctioneer and presenter Derek Mathewson.

The 1934 Riley Kestrel, which has a 1.5 litre engine and a pre-select gearbox, is believed to be the oldest of its kind left in existence at 86 years of age and has been cared for by three different owners during its time in Cornwall.

Roger Clotworthy outside the 1934 Riley Kestrel. Picture:Kathy White

The car was brought to the county from Gloucester in 2005 by well-known Helston resident, Roger Clotworthy, who rebuilt the car in his workshop in Helston.

Roger said: "I bought it in Gloucester in 2005 and it needed a bit of TLC, so that's what I gave it.

The car's interior needed some TLC when Roger first purchased it. Picture:Kathy White

"The interior was particularly bad so I had to renovate that completely, and I did it all in the style with which it would have been done originally, which is very important.

"For instance, when I reupholstered the seats, I managed to obtain old leather that was scarred in order to maintain the patina.

"There's a lot of things that you do if you're passionate about old vehicles, you don't use modern nuts and bolts with the thread that was used in 1934, which was different to what they use now.

Roger inside the 1934 Riley Kestrel, the oldest of its kind in existence. Picture:Kathy White

"The classic car movement is very big worldwide, I think there are about 25 of that particular motorcar left in the world."

Then four years ago, Roger sold the car to Steve Muckley who also did some work to it, including getting it re-sprayed locally.

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Steve took the car to show and had intended to take the car to various shows around Cornwall, however, before this could happen, Steve unfortunately became very ill and sadly passed away.

Clinton Bray, who owns Clinton's Garage Helston, drove the car to Pickering to be auctioned. Picture:Kathy White

Steve's family then reached out to Clinton Bray, who is well-known around town for old classic cars and banger racing with his dad and also own’s Clinton’s Garage in Helston who specialise in automotive welding.

The family asked Clinton if he would assist them in selling the vehicle which he agreed to do.

Clinton said: "After a fair bit of thought, I gave Derek Mathewson, of the Bangers and Cash programme, an email.

Clinton Bray and the 1934 Riley Kestrel outside Clinton's Garage Helston. Picture:Kathy White

"We had a few chats over the phone and he was quite interested.

"So I took it up to Pickering in Yorkshire last Friday and from what I can gather it'll be going into the April auction.

"It's already advertised on their website as, due to the pandemic it's all online now.

"It's definitely an investment for somebody and I don't doubt it'll sell with ease.

Riley's original Kestrel mascot. Picture:Kathy White

For more information on the auction listing you can visit the mathewsons website: mathewsons.co.uk

If you'd like to find out more about automotive welding, Clinton's Garage Helston, or book your car in for an MOT, visit: clintonsgaragehelston.co.uk.