1937 Riley 12/4 Sprite

The British-based Riley Company was a bicycle and automobile manufacturer from 1909. In 1938, they became part of the Nuffield Organization and in 1968 they merged into the British Leyland Motor Company. Riley production cased in July of 1969 and currently, the Riley trademark is owned by BMW.

Percy Riley's 9hp, 1087cc twin-camshaft four was introduced in 1926 and various versions would be used to power Rileys until 1957. The stylish bodywork was provided by Stanley Riley in several different configurations.

During the 1930s, the Riley company enjoyed considerable racing success from the small-displacement cars, including the Riley Nine and the Imp. The Nine was powered by an engine with an overhead-valve cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers. On either side of the block, above the crankshaft centerline, were valves actuated by separate intake and exhaust camshafts. The valves were positioned at a 90-degree angle and were operated through short vertical pushrods and shaft-mounted rocker arms. The lightweight valve train and direct valve operation gave Riley an advantage over its competition, and by the early 1930s, the Nine had achieved around 20 International Class G Records at distances from 50 kilometers to 3,000 miles, times from one hour to two days and at speeds from 64.37 mph to 108.9 mph. Many of these records were set by Captain G. E. T. Eyston.

The Riley Imp was powered by a dual carburetor engine and backed by the company's 'Silent Third' manual transmission, although many were fitted with optional Wilson pre-selector gearboxes. With Riley-built steering and cable-operated brakes, the earliest Imp victory was achieved at the Scottish Rally where it won Class I and Miss Dorothy Champney secured the Ladies' Prize. At the 1934 24 Hours of Le Mans race, six Riley automobiles were entered and all six completed the race. Three Imps finished sixth, twelfth, and thirteenth. At the 1934 Ulster Tourist Trophy, the all-IMP factory contingent finished 9th, 11th, 12th, and 16th-place.

During the Riley Imp's production, approximately 75 examples were built. Many of the Riley models were named after famous races like the Brooklands and the TT (for the Tourist Trophy).

Riley used the 1934 Olympia Motor Show to announce its 1935 model line, which included the company's first new four-cylinder engine in seven years, the 1.5-liter 12/4. The proven twin-camshaft layout was retained for the new Hugh Rose-designed 1.5-liter four-cylinder model. It had a longer wheelbase and a new body style called the Falcon Saloon. Other body styles included the familiar Kestrel saloon and Lynx tourer coachwork.

The Riley Sprite was produced from 1935 to 1938 and was an open two-seater sports car that was mostly constructed with a four-cylinder engine, although a 6-cylinder version was available. The chassis was based on the preceding 'MPH' model. The Sprite continued to expand the company's resume with success in many different events, especially in the form of the Riley T.T. Sprite model which eventually earned it the 'Sprite' designation. Again, the 12/4 Sprite was offered with either a pre-selector or short-shift manual gearbox. Body styles included the two-seater sports and three saloons including the Adelphi, a shorter-wheelbase (106-inches) all-steel Merlin, and the six-light Kestrel on the 112.5-inch long-wheelbase chassis. In Standard trim, the 1½-litre 12/4 engine produced 45/46bhp with a single Zenith carburetor. The Special Series came with twin SUs and 52bhp while at the top of the range was the 59/61bhp Sprite specification engine that added £48 to the car's purchase price.

The 'TT' Sprite won the Ulster Tourist Trophy in both 1935 and 1936 with Freddie Dixon behind the wheel. Numerous privateers were successful at Brooklands and other venues.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2020