Vehicle Description
While most commonly associated with "badge engineered" small
saloons as part of BMC during the 1950s and 1960s, the Riley marque
and its handsome, race-wining sports cars occupy a special place in
the hearts and minds of die-hard enthusiasts today. Established in
1898 Riley Specialized in tricycle cars until a switch to
four-wheeled models took hold in 1907. Handsomely styled and fast
sports cars and sleek saloons were clearly Riley's forte,
delivering impressive sophistication and excellent engineering at a
startlingly low price point - virtues that would certainly have
profoundly influenced the business values of Jaguar founder William
Lyons during the 1930s. A consistent threat in rallies, trials, and
circuit races, Riley's competition record was particularly strong
during the early 30s with its Brooklands Nine model, including 1st
and 3rd places in the 1,100cc class at the 1931 Irish Grand Prix
held at Phoenix Park, another 1st and 3rd in the 1931 Tourist
Trophy, overall victory at the 1932 T.T. and 2nd overall in the
1932 Brooklands 500 Mile Race. The venerable Brooklands Nine
remained competitive through 1935, scoring first in the 1-�-liter
class and breaking the class speed record by 9 miles per hour.
Despite the brilliant success of the Brooklands Nine, relentless
development and engineering at Riley seamlessly translated the
marque's racing success to the road cars it produced, including the
Gamecock. Introduced in 1932, it was the first sports Riley sharing
its chassis with the company's touring cars. Rather than using a
dropped frame layout as with the Nine, the Gamecock's straight
chassis members sloped front to rear, giving a tail-down appearance
and the visual impression of speed while at rest - a unique
characteristic of Riley's sports models of the era. Initially
intended for racing with few built, the Gamecock was dropped after
1933, but soon begat the MPH Six of 1935, the chassis of which was
also made available with a new and advanced 12/4 1,496cc 'four'
designed by Hugh Rose in 1934. Tuned with a crossflow head, hotter
camshaft, and larger valves, the new engine was mounted in the MPH
chassis to create the Sprite, which debuted at the 1935 London
Motor Show. A preselector gearbox and streamlined radiator cowl,
exclusive to the Sprite, were other highlights. Immediately, 12/4
Rileys earned a formidable competition record, with Freddie Dixon
winning back-to-back Tourist Trophy wins in 1935 and 1936 with a
car using remarkably standard Sprite mechanicals with revised "long
tail" bodywork. Riley also took the team award in the 1935 B.R.D.C.
500 Mile Race at Brooklands and the marque utterly dominated the 1
�-liter class at the 1936 French Grand Prix, which was run as a
sports-car race that year, sweeping 1st through 4th places. Despite
those brilliant successes, Riley was taken over by the Nuffield
Organisation, the predecessor to BMC, in 1938 and the victorious
Sprite would be the marque's last sports model. Nonetheless,
Riley's sporting heritage lived on, with a modified Riley by
Raymond Mays of BRM developed into a prewar racer that would help
establish E.R.A. Rightly, these sporting Rileys enjoy a strong
following today and demand far exceeds supply for these lithe,
fast, and beautiful prewar cars. Having enjoyed over 37 years under
the care of an enthusiastic, California-based former owner, this
1935 Riley MPH/Sprite Recreation is a truly wonderful restoration
and rebuild that commenced during the late 1980s using a 1935 Riley
Falcon Saloon donor car. Much of the restoration and rebuild was
performed by noted UK experts including Thomas Hamlin of
Bridgwater, Somerset, and Allen Clear. A new frame was fabricated,
with the Falcon identity and mechanical components rebuilt and
installed. The 4-cylinder Riley powerplant was rebuilt and
supercharged by UK engineer Derek Chinn, and a period-type,
pre-selector gearbox was sourced and rebuilt with close-ratio
gears. The exquisite bodywork was custom-built with underlying
framing by Allen Clear and panelled in lightweight aluminum by
second-generation coachbuilder Ian Pitney of Pitney Restorations.
The Riley's adventurous open cockpit was trimmed in Tan Connolly
leather - purchased directly from the manufacturer. Painstaking
attention to authenticity includes the correct style dash and
instruments, fold-flat windscreen, and racy 'Brooklands' aero
screens. While the Riley 12/4 powerplant was delivering 70+ brake
horsepower following the rebuild and restoration, it now delivers
noticeably more output with installation of a set of 'Fast Road
Cams' from Keith Pointing. As offered, this wonderful Riley exudes
an abundance of undeniable charm with an adventurous character.
Clearly restored and built to exceptional standards of workmanship
and authenticity in the UK by professionals and marque experts, it
benefits from loving, long-term former ownership in California,
remaining highly engaging with a pleasing patina from adult
enjoyment as intended. It begs to driven and enjoyed and will
surely deliver an unforgettable experience with every blast down
your favorite winding road. Driving helmet and aviator goggles
optional! Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7239-1935-riley-mph-sprite-roadster/