Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 141
1935 Riley 9hp Imp Two Seater Chassis no. 6027683 Engine no. 47252 (See Text)
Estimate: US$140,000 - US$180,000
Lot 141
Superb provenance and a recent engine overhaul
1935 Riley 9hp Imp Two Seater
1935 Riley 9hp Imp Two Seater
The Audrain Auction|3 October 2025, 16:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1935 Riley 9hp Imp Two Seater
Chassis no. 6027683
Engine no. 47252 (See Text)
Chassis no. 6027683
Engine no. 47252 (See Text)
1,134cc, OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine (See Text)
2 SU Carburetors
55bhp at 3,600rpm (See Text)
4-Speed Pre-select Transmission
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Exquisite Riley, known for their design and detail features
*Known history from new
*$37,700 engine rebuild by Marcovicci-Wenz Engineering in 2020
*Dyno tested to 55bhp, up from the standard 42bhp
*2025 gearbox refurbishment by David King of Leydon Restorations
*Includes recent receipts and a VSCCA Logbook
*The quintessential pre-war British sports car
THE RILEY 'IMP'
Development work on a standard Riley chassis by engineers/drivers, J G Parry Thomas and Reid Railton so inspired the Riley Board that they sanctioned the construction of a two-seater sports car, designated the 'Brooklands'. Six-cylinder 'Brooklands' and MPH models followed, and from these developed the next generation of 9hp, four-cylinder sports cars – named Imp. The Imp's chassis featured a 7ft 6in wheelbase, sweeping up over the front axle and underslung at the rear, emulating the design which had proved successful with the 'Brooklands' six. The exquisite, sweeping coachwork design of the Imp was way ahead of virtually anything previously seen in an economy production sports car, and tasty bits such as twin SU carburetors and a Scintilla Vertex magneto were options. The Pre-selector gearbox enhanced the driving experience, and gave the Imp a distinctly up-market feel. With its long bonnet, flowing wings and short tail, the Riley Imp is without question one of the most attractive small sports cars of its era, and one of the most satisfying to drive.
THE CAR OFFERED
Resplendent in its deep red livery, this delightful Riley has both and intriguing history and recent, no-expense-spared maintenance. Period logbooks show its first owner, Harry Rose, registered the car for the road in Hendon Central, North London, on September 20, 1935. Within the first two years of its life, it changed hands no fewer than 4 times, before landing with John Green of London's Harley Street. A former owner managed to track down Mr. Green in the mid-1990s and at the ripe old age of 87 years, he fondly recalled his ownership, noting 'it was my treasure and I enjoyed every moment of it'. Amazingly, he recounts that once when driving the Imp, he was fired at by a German fighter that missed him and the car, but inspired him to join the RAF! Stationed at Kirton in Lindsey, a period photo of a couple of his friends in the car survived with him and was copied for its history file. He would part with the just after the war, as a burgeoning family necessitated acquisition of a Riley Sedan.
Through 6 consecutive logbooks numerous ownerships are charted, the car moving from the Southeast of the UK up to the Midlands and Yorkshire. It seems likely that its initial refurbishment came in 1955, when a change of color is noted, and the original engine replaced with another series unit. Another change of livery came in 1964, when the Imp was repainted to the red color it still wears to this day, and around this same time the 9hp engine number 47252, which it retains to this day, was installed.
Through the 1960s the car migrated from homes in East Anglia to the Southwest, in Somerset, each owner diligently maintaining it on the road. In 1977 it became the property of noted historic car racer and collector Julian Majzub. The car would later pass into the hands of another noted British Collection, the Pilkington/Totnes Motor Museum. In 2010 the car changed hands once more before crossing the Atlantic into the prominent private collection from which it was offered by Bonhams in 2016.
Since coming into the care of the consignor, the little Riley has been lavished with extensive mechanical service work, with receipts totaling nearly $100,000. As viewed today, this is clearly a very honest example with a patina accrued over time, but with excellent mechanical underpinnings to ensure a proper driving experience. A sampling of the work performed between 2016 and 2023 includes a comprehensive chassis, axle, and brake service by Grays Engineering & Motorsport, and servicing of the preselector gearbox--including relining the bands--by GMT Racing of Newtown, Connecticut. In 2020, the engine was handed to the renowned Marcovicci-Wenz Engineering of Ronkonkoma, New York for a complete overhaul. Work included fitment of a new Moldex billet crankshaft, Carello rods, and Arias pistons, along with extensive machining and repair work. Additionally, the less commonly shipped, original Scintilla Vertex magneto was rebuilt by Peter Marcovici. Dyno sheets on file show the Imp engine now belts out 55 brake horsepower – a significant jump from the original 42bhp, and an impressive number for a pre-war, 1,134cc engine (up from the standard 1,087cc). Most recently, the pre-selector transmission was restored by David King of Leydon Restorations, with a $5285 receipt for work completed in August of this year. Behind its seats is stowed a top which has the appearance of being the original and certainly has considerable age to it. The body appears original and quite sound, wearing its age with grace and pride. Importantly, it retains the elegant lines with which it was borne and details such as the stowing cabins for the 'Brooklands' Aero windscreens/shields are still present.
Undeniably pretty and a refreshing alternative to some of the sporting cars of its era, these are rarely seen in the U.S. With its comprehensive provenance, extensive recent mechanical refurbishment, and VSCCA Logbook, it must be one of the best documented of its type to survive.
Saleroom notices
The estimated for this lot is $140,000 - 180,000.
Additional information
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