Description
This car is Lot 118 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale on 6 February, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Tuesday 4 February from 08:00 until 18:00 and Wednesday 5 February from 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Grand Palais Historique, Paris.
Lot 118
1934 Riley 9hp IMP Two-Seater
Registration no.
Chassis no. 6025410
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.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
