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Price is US$110,000
...And now for something completely different! We’re used to selling cars with “Oh My Gawd!” performance, so this little beauty is going from the ridiculous to the sublime...
Truly a little gem. A little background history.
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Click on thumbnail for larger image
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Riley did not start out manufacturing cars. The company was first involved in the weaving trade and then, later on, they made bicycles.
Riley built their first car in 1898, this car featuring the first mechanically operated inlet valve. In 1909, Riley introduced detachable wire spoke wheels, and in 1919 came adjustable front seats and steering column.
The first Riley car of note was the 1919 “Eleven”.
This was fitted with a 1498 cc 4 cylinder engine, first available as a two-seater sports car, then a four-seater sports car, and then in 1924 it was known as the short-chassis “Redwing”.
Through a succession of other small sportscars, notably the “Nine”, Riley progressed successfully, thanks to the lively new engine that had been designed by Percy Riley himself. The 1087 cc engine was, technically unequalled, for the time, having twin high camshafts (one each side of the block) operating short pushrods to the opposed overhead valves, which resided in part-spherical combustion chambers.
This engine developed 32 bhp at 5000 rpm, but there was only a two main bearing crankshaft. When Percy had modified this, the engine was good for an extremely healthy 50 bhp.
Racing success for the “Nine” came quickly, with a third place at the Brooklands Double Twelve hour race in 1930, and a second place in the Irish Grand Prix the same year.
The last of the Nine’s was built in 1934; the “Imp” was built on a short wheel base chassis and was arguably the best of the bunch. Fitted with a (for the time) very elegant body, the Imp featured lovely flared mudguards and afforded blistering 75 mph performance for just £325 – unfortunately, only 75 would be manufactured.
The car that we are offering is built on an Adelphi chassis. It has been built as a Le Mans Imp with the uprated engine with the twin SUs. It was bodied back in the early Sixties and is all alloy. Wheels are powder coated and the wings have just been repainted with the trim to match the wheels. Wheels are the proper splined knock-ons with new spinners recently fitted. It has 5 brand new Blockley tires fitted. It has a pre selector gearbox that operates flawlessly. Car runs, drives and stops as a 1930s GP car. It has been upgraded with an electric water pump and runs cool even in the Florida heat. 90ºC max on a 98ºF day in traffic!!! It has a full tonneau for the cockpit and is trimmed in oxblood-colored hides. All gauges are as fitted to an Imp.
Bernie Ecclestone's Imp sold in London for US$144,500.00 in October 2007.
ENGINE
9hp 4cyl ohv
Bore 60.3 stroke 95.2
compression 5.2:1
Capacity 1087 cc
42bhp at 3600rpm
Carburation 2 Zenith
TRANSMISSION
4-speed gearbox
SUSPENSION
Semi-elliptic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 7'6"
Track 3'11" (approx 1180mm)
Length / width: various bodies
Tyres 27x4.40
Weight 17cwt
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Site Contents © John Starkey 2008
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