1936 Riley 9 'Ulster Imp' Special

Registration No: ADV 904
Chassis No: SABTUR03222190047
MOT: Exempt

• Restored by C. G. Jarvis & Son of Bridgnorth between 2001 and 2002 with some £25,000 expenditure
• In the vendor's ownership since June 1967
• An Ulster Imp style special by the time of the vendor’s purchase and further coachwork refinement since
• Retains its original engine and Wilson preselecta gearbox, and is offered with a history file including a buff logbook

It is no exaggeration to say that the appearance of the 1100cc 9hp Riley at the Olympia Show October 1926 revolutionised concepts of light car design - its lower build, outstanding handling and good brakes, the products of careful detail design, were matched by the strong, light and advanced engine, which developed remarkable power for its modest size, and began a chain of development that continued until well after WWII and also spawned the E.R.A. racing voiturettes, the most successful British racing cars of their time. Breathing efficiently through hemispherical combustion chambers and 45-degree overhead valves opened by short pushrods from twin high-set camshafts, the unit simply wanted to rev, and permitted a lowish rear axle ratio that in turn gave good acceleration. The 4-speed gearbox was a joy to use. Apart from a handful of obscure, low-volume specialised sports cars, no other light car produced in similar quantities offered anything comparable.

Manufactured in 1936, ‘ADV 904’ started life clothed in Merlin Saloon coachwork. Known to the vendor by the early 1960s having been owned by a friend of his, by this stage, ‘ADV 904’ had already parted company with its original Merlin coachwork in favour of Ulster Imp-style bodywork. Acquired by the vendor in June 1967 (via a motor trader), the Riley saw regular action during the early part of the vendor’s ownership before being laid up in his mother’s garage for many years! Unearthed from the storage period in 2001, the vendor decided the necessary course of action was a comprehensive restoration, with the Riley having deteriorated into dilapidated condition while off the road.

Thereafter entrusted to Vintage Coachbuilders, C. G. Jarvis & Sons, the chassis was found to be in such poor condition that it was judged safest to provide a new Ulster Imp pattern chassis. The new chassis was then provided with new springs, hangers, and shackles; the original engine, pre-selector gearbox, and axles were refitted after renovations; renewed brakes were provided; the steering box was overhauled with a shortened steering column; and the radiator shell was shortened. Cosmetically, the bodywork was expertly formed; bucket seats and dashboard were fabricated and the seats trimmed in Blue; and the exterior was painted in the complementary Dark Blue it presents in today. Further mechanical work comprises a shortened prop shaft, full re-wire, and a completely new fuel system, amongst many additional restoration works.

The restoration reached completion in late 2002 after some £25,000 worth of expenditure throughout the restoration, with the Riley returning to the road in 2003 once re-registered with the DVLA on its original registration number. Thereafter used locally and on at least one road run per year, the Riley started readily and ran well during the recent photography session. Offered with a history file that contains the Jarvis restoration invoices, photographs of the restoration work, green buff logbook, correspondence with the DVLA, lubrication diagram, instruction maintenance manual, and current V5C document. A nicely crafted Special that would be great for hillclimbing or road use, without the outlay of the genuine 'Brooklands' or 'Ulster-Imp' period cars!

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452