The Riley Archive Project (RAP) and Unit 8

Formation of the Riley Archive Project and Unit 8:

Many enthusiasts of the Riley marque have always hoped that a specific location be established where surviving artefacts and ephemera could be preserved to complement the activities of the major Riley Clubs in continuing the Riley story. Many other marques had achieved this - but not Riley!

During the research material for a proposed book about the Riley Nine Brooklands model, the research team (Adrian Smith, Keith Mountain and John Collins) felt that a project should be initiated to create a “Riley Room”: the “Riley Archive Project” was now established. Victor Riley and Ian Stainburn subsequently joined the project team.

Early interest was in the former Riley Competition Shop at Durbar Avenue, but after a survey it was clear that development costs would be beyond the financial resources of the newly formed project.

Bicester Heritage offered a very attractive premise but this also had to be discounted whilst RAP was seeking to create a secure financial footing. Meanwhile Victor Riley and individuals within the Coventry Area of the Riley Register were also looking for possible sites centred in the City of Coventry and following very positive support from Roger Medwell, MBE, and the then Lord Mayor Councillor Tony Skipper, the first Riley Archive Project Lunch was held, enabling RAP to be shared with a cross-section of the Riley world.

Growing links with City of Coventry resulted in a property being identified at the Coventry Canal Basin by Sam Fraser, who was at that time looking at a number of transport related projects for the City of Coventry. Capitalising on fund raising opportunities at various Riley functions, and with much support from Riley enthusiasts world-wide, together with support from the City of Coventry, a 5 year lease was secured, thus achieving a Riley Archive at last.

Co-incidentally, the Riley Motor Club decided to transfer their wide-ranging archive of literature into the care of the Riley Archive Project in return for up-to-date cataloguing of the content.

 The onset of Covid-19, with its ensuing restrictions reinforced the need for a fresh look at the objectives of RAP and this resulted in a change of focus from merely existing as a reference library and repository of ephemera located in the UK Midlands to embracing the opportunities of the Internet and digital world.

During 2019/20 RAP progressed to a new title and status. After initially being subsumed into Riley Cars Heritage Trust (RCHT) this Trust was then re-titled The Riley Cars Archive Heritage Trust (RCAHT) to recognise the digital archive intentions for the future.Through Unit 8, Coventry Canal Basin, there is a Riley Archive presence which in the future will welcome enthusiasts and enquirers; while through digital technology its contents and activities can be shared with a world- wide audience.

From the first questions posed in 1993 of “Why no Riley Room?” and the positive efforts from 2016 to achieve a presence, both physical and digital, so many people have played their part that acknowledging them all is likely to leave out people by omission.

Getting here

Our address is:
Unit 8
Coventry Canal Basin
St Nicholas Street
Coventry
Warwickshire
CV1 4LY

Car parking

There is a small car park at the end of the canal accessed from St Nicholas St. and also a free car park at the top of the hill accessed from Draper's Fields. There is also lots a local on street parking options, payable by meter.

Disability Access

There is one dedicated car parking space to the back door of the premises meaning disabled access is possible. Prior notice is need to ensure the parking space is kept free.

Refreshments/Facilities

The Canal Basin has some small shops and a cafe for refreshments and there are several other cafes and pubs nearby.

Nearby places to visit

Coventry Transport Museum (Millennium Place, Hales St, Coventry CV1 1JD) houses several examples of the Riley marque - check their website for the current collection. The museum is 10-minutes walk and pedestrian access is simple.

The Herbert Museum & Art Gallery (Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP) is also worth a visit.