Riley launched the Nine as a luxury light car at the 1926 Motor Show with the Monaco enclosed saloon body and later an open tourer. The design was so full of innovation that even ten years after launch it was still ahead of the competition. A double overhead cam 1087cc engine was a standard nobody else could match, coupled to a 4-speed gearbox. The design was also competitive in trials and other forms of motorsport and did a lot to establish the Riley brand. In 1933 the design was overhauled and Riley Nines had a lot in common with the larger 1½litres and other Riley, just smaller. Saloon bodies came as Monacos, Biarritz, Falcon, Kestrel, Merlin and the Touring Saloon. Open Riley Nines came as 2/4seater tourers, Gamecocks, Trinity, and Lynx. There was also the Brooklands Sports Car and the Imp. 30,000 Riley Nines were sold, but the company still fell into the arms of William Morris and the Nuffield Organisation.