LOT 118

1934 Riley 9hp IMP Two-Seater Chassis no. 6025410 Engine no. 47250

Sold for €89,700 inc. premium

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Lot 118

1934 Riley 9hp IMP Two-Seater

Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris|6 February 2025, 14:00 CET|Paris, The Grand Palais Historique

1934 Riley 9hp IMP Two-Seater
Chassis no. 6025410
Engine no. 47250

• Mechanically restored in 2017
• Extensive history
• Recorded on the Riley Register
• French registration document

Development work on a standard Riley chassis carried out by the engineers and drivers, J G Parry Thomas and Reid Railton, inspired Riley's board enough for them to approve the building of a two-seater sports car named Brooklands. The six-cylinder Brooklands and MPH models followed, and from them, the next generation of four-cylinder 9hp cars, christened Imp, was developed. The Imp's chassis had a 7'6" (approx. 2.3m) wheelbase, sweeping over the front axle and suspended at the rear, imitating the efficient Brooklands design. The design of the Imp's coachwork was well ahead of its time compared to practically all previous affordable sports cars, and luxury elements, such as twin SU carburettors and a Scintilla Vertex magneto were available as options. The pre-selector gearbox improved the driving experience and gave the Imp a definite high-end feel. With its long bonnet, its fluid wings and its short tail, the Riley Imp is without a doubt one of the most attractive small sports cars of its time, and one of the most pleasant to drive.

This Riley Imp was sold new in 1934 by Boon and Porter of Castelnau, in London. Its first owner kept it until 1948. It then passed through the hands of Mr Edward Charles Micklewright, then Mr Brian Michael Stacy, before entering the collection of Walter Smith Williams, a well-known Riley collector, in 1959. It remained there for 46 years, but was damaged by a garage fire. Rescued from the flames, its restoration commenced before it was sold by Bonhams in 2005. Then, the Riley was subject to a range of restoration work and its current owner acquired it in 2015. Various points needed to be corrected, and the Riley was entrusted to Keith Pointing at Blue Diamond in 2016/2017 for a full mechanical overhaul. Since used in several rallies around France, it is an elegant, fun-to-drive car, which is eligible for numerous events, including Le Mans Classic. It will be sold with an extensive file tracing its history from its origins, many invoices, its tonneau cover, side screens and hood.

Footnotes

1934 Riley IMP 1100

Châssis n° 6025410
Moteur n° 47250

• Mécanique restaurée en 2017
• Historique depuis l'origine
• Répertoriée au Riley Register
• Carte grise française

Les travaux de développement sur un châssis Riley standard menés par les ingénieurs/pilotes J G Parry Thomas et Reid Railton ont suffisamment inspiré le conseil d'administration de Riley qu'ils ont approuvé la construction d'une voiture de sport à deux places, baptisée « Brooklands ». Les modèles six cylindres « Brooklands » et MPH ont suivi, et à partir de là, la génération suivante de voitures de sport à quatre cylindres de 9 ch, baptisée IMP, a été développée. Le châssis de l'IMP présentait un empattement de 7 pieds 6 pouces, s'élevant au-dessus de l'essieu avant et suspendu à l'arrière, imitant l'efficace design « Brooklands ». La conception de la carrosserie de l'IMP était bien en avance sur pratiquement tout ce qui avait été vu auparavant dans une voiture de sport accessible, et des éléments luxueux tels que les carburateurs doubles SU et une magnéto Scintilla Vertex étaient disponibles en option. La boîte de vitesses à présélection améliorait l'expérience de conduite et donnait à l'IMP une sensation nettement haut de gamme. Avec son long capot, ses ailes fluides et sa queue courte, la Riley IMP est sans aucun doute l'une des petites voitures de sport les plus attrayantes de son époque et l'une des plus agréables à conduire.

Cette Riley IMP fut vendue neuve en 1934, par Boon and Porter of Castelnau, à Londres. Son premier propriétaire la conserve jusqu'en 1948. Elle passe ensuite entre les mains de M. Edward Charles Micklewright puis M. Brian Michael Stacy avant d'entrer en 1959 dans la collection de Walter Smith Williams, célèbre collectionneur de la marque. Elle y reste 46 ans, mais se voit endommagée par un incendie de garage. Sauvée des flammes, elle put recevoir un début de restauration avant d'être vendue par Bonhams en 2005. Là, la Riley reçoit de nombreux travaux de restauration et son propriétaire actuel l'acquiert en 2015. De nombreux points étaient à reprendre et la Riley est confiée à Keith Pointing de chez Blue Diamond en 2016/2017 pour une réfection mécanique complète. Depuis utilisée lors de nombreux rallyes à travers la France, il s'agit d'une automobile élégante, amusante à conduire et éligible à de nombreux événements, dont Le Mans Classique. Elle sera vendue avec un important dossier d'historique depuis l'origine, de nombreuses factures, son tonneau cover, ses side-screens et sa capote.

Saleroom notices

Please kindly note the French Passport Request is still ongoing and that the release of the car out of French territory is delayed until the French Passport is delivered. Veuillez noter que la demande de passeport français est toujours en cours et que la sortie de la voiture du territoire français est retardée jusqu'à ce que le passeport français soit délivré.

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