Mini Riley Elf Mark 1 (1961)
Mini Riley Elf Mark 1 with grade 2+ inspection certificate, restored, engine replaced (1961)
Overview
The provision is 5% + VAT of the sales price and at least 500 € + VAT.
BID HISTORY
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Start sellingMini Riley Elf Mark 1 (1961)

Kickdown's Take
by Louis KalendruschatA Mini with a backpack and a luxurious attitude? Here you go! This Riley Elf is probably the most charming Brit on the market and has been completely turned inside out and rebuilt. Fresh leather, shiny paint, and a crisp 1.3-liter engine under the hood make it the perfect companion for the city or the next classic car meet. A restored gem with a grade of 2+ that you simply have to love!
A 1961 Mini Riley Elf Mark 1 is for sale in red with red leather interior.
Highlights:
- Completely restored
- Appraisal from 09/2019 with a grade of 2+
- Mostly new sheet metal incorporated (including new fenders, front mask, door skins, sills, floor coverings, rear apron)
- Completely repainted
- Replacement engine installed
- Seats reupholstered and covered with genuine leather
- Carpet in footwell renewed, headliner reupholstered
- Last service in 2025 (performed by the owner himself)
- Investments totaling approximately €12,000
General information about the vehicle
- Year of manufacture: 1961
- First registration: England, 12/1961
- Location: 48485 Neuenkirchen, Germany
- Number of vehicle owners: 2
- Restored (according to the owner, from the ground up)
- Accident-free (according to the owner)
- Registered with red license plates
- H license plate
- TÜV: expired
- Ready to drive
Model history
The Riley Elf Mk I was introduced in 1961 by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and was technically based on the classic Mini from Austin and Morris. Unlike the standard Mini, the Elf had a unique notchback body with an attached trunk, a more distinctive radiator grille, and modified taillights.
The front-wheel-drive small car was powered by a transversely mounted 848 cc four-cylinder engine with 25 kW (34 bhp). The top speed was around 112–115 km/h. With its combination of compact Mini technology and more upmarket looks, the Riley Elf positioned itself as the more luxurious variant in the BMC range.
Facts
Exterior & interior:
- Exterior color: red
- Interior: red leather upholstery
- Completely repainted (according to the owner)
Engine and transmission:
- 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 60 hp (44 kW)
- Replacement engine installed
- Manual transmission
- Last service: 2025 (performed by owner)
Mileage:
- Mileage: 5,000 miles (according to odometer reading)
- Speedometer has rolled over once
- Mileage cannot be verified
- No service records available
Documentation:
- Vehicle documents
- Expert opinion (09/2019, grade 2+)
Tires, brakes, bodywork & underbody:
- Tires: good tread 7 mm, 10 years old
- Brakes: good condition, 70% (vehicle equipped with disc brakes)
- Bodywork: very good condition
- Underbody: good condition
- Please view the photo gallery and videos for further insight into the vehicle's condition
Known defects:
- Age-related signs of wear inside and outside
- Please view the photo gallery and videos for further insight into the vehicle's condition
Summary:
A comprehensively restored 1961 Mini Riley in red with newly designed leather interior is for sale. According to the owner, the vehicle was rebuilt from the ground up, with numerous sheet metal parts replaced and the car completely repainted. A 1,300 cc replacement engine has been installed, and the last service was carried out in 2025. With an H license plate, current registration, and a grade 2+ appraisal, this Riley presents itself as a solidly restored classic. The mileage of around 2,500 miles has been read and cannot be verified. Overall, this is an opportunity to purchase a rare and extensively refurbished representative of the Mini Riley series.
Vehicle videos
Kickdown check
- Expert report available
- Kickdown photographer was on site
- Video of the vehicle available
- Main inspection
Transport
If you have any questions about shipping or transportation, please do not hesitate to contact us at shipping@kickdown.com . We would be happy to provide you with a non-binding offer for the transport of your new vehicle.
Enquire about transport

Questions and Comments
Technik: Hier kommt ein wunderschönes Exemplar von MINI!! Der Riley Elf Mark I, bzw. Wolseley Hornet Mark I, entsprach dem Mini von Austin oder Morris, hatte jedoch einen angesetzten Kofferraum, einen größeren Kühlergrill und andere Heckleuchten. Der Motor des Frontantriebsfahrzeuges entsprach dem der anderen Minis, quer eingebauten 4-Zylinder-Reihenmotoren mit 848 cm³ Hubraum und 34 bhp (25 kW) Leistung. Die Fahrzeuge erreichten 112–115 km/h.