Lot Ended
Description
Well-known to the Riley Imp Register; pre-war trials history; larger
12/4 engine fitted; plenty of performance in this historically significant and
very smart Riley; in its current guise since 1955
Chassis
6025492 left the Riley works on 1st December 1934 as one of around 120 Imps
that were produced between 1934 and 1935.
The Riley Register lists
its chassis number as being first registered ALJ 454, a Bournemouth-issued
number. The car is pictured competing in the Lawrence Cup Trial in the
mid-1930s in Georgano's 'History of the Sportscar' after which it went to ground
until discovered in Normack Garage in Long Eaton in 1955.
By this
stage of its life it had lost its bodywork and engine, consisting of its
original chassis, axles, steering, radiator and headlights. It was acquired for
£50 (a not inconsequential sum in the mid-Fifties) by a Mr Bance (receipt on
file). There are also photos on file of the rolling chassis - date unknown but
certainly from the 1950s or early '60s.
It was rebuilt in the style of an
Ulster Imp, Riley's competition model that acquitted itself so well on the
Ards TT Circuit in Ulster. As there was no engine, the then-owner fitted a more
robust and powerful 12/4 engine as one would have done in period. It still has
this fitted today, mated to a pre-selector gearbox. Photos on file show a
well-constructed ash frame which has been skinned in aluminium, the completed
car shown in more photos dated 1986.
When it was purchased as a rolling
chassis back in the day, it was re-registerd SAA 27, a Hampshire number which
has remained on the car since 1957, a period of 67 years.
It was
acquired by the vendor in 2000 from a Mr Smith in Manchester who advertised it
in the VSCC Bulletin. It is in much the same state today, having been enjoyed
and carefully maintained since and has been featured in Gathercole's book
on the Riley Imp (page 103) published in 2008.
It is now running twin SUs
which replaced the Zenith carbs in 2010 and received a front axle overhaul in
2012 which included rebushed kingpins and a needle roller conversion. The
car had a spin-on oil filter conversion in 2014 and new tyres in 2020
fitted to previously refurbished wheels (2003) which were powder coated at the
time by Longstone Tyres.
It comes with a tightly fitting tonneau and a
hood with separate frame, a note stating that it has only been used about
five times in the last 24 years! The paintwork is very smart, as is the red
leather upholstery and dash full of working instruments. It also has a nice
folding screen and aeroscreens.
On offer with an estimate which reflects
its more powerful 12/4 engine and non-original but period-correct Ulster
coachwork, it looks excellent value for a real car with real
history....
Contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com