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71 - 1936 Riley Sprite “The Blacky”
See original version (French)

Estimate €200,000 - €300,000
Sale commission
Description
1936 Riley Sprite “The Blacky” Manufacturer: 1936 Riley Sprite “The Blacky” Vehicle registration document: French vehicle registration document Chassis No.: Chassis No. S26S 4884 Engine No. SS 4884 - One of only 55 ever produced - Racing history - Original mechanics and bodywork - Eligible for the 1000 Miglia centenary in 2027! The Sprite was undoubtedly the finest sports car in the Riley range in the mid-1930s, and its racing successes bear this out. Its low-slung chassis, derived from the MPH, was fitted with a brilliant 1.5-litre engine mated to a preselective gearbox, as on our example, or a manual gearbox. The whole package was clad in a superb, streamlined two-seater roadster body, distinguished by a grille shaped like a fencer’s mask. Only 55 were produced, and their performance often saw them entered into competition, meaning that surviving, authentic examples are now extremely rare. Chassis 4884 is one of them. It rolled off the production line in July 1936 with its beautiful black bodywork, paired with a green interior; it was registered as DFC 789 and spent much of its life in England. Like many of its counterparts, this Sprite took part in numerous competitions, including at Silverstone in the 1940s and in hill climbs. Its colour earned it the nickname ‘The Blacky’ on the track. More recently, in 1982, DFC 789 took part in the 50th RAC Rally, and then in 1987, driven by Ian Hall, it competed in the Norwich Union Classic held at the Silverstone circuit. It was, of course, welcomed with open arms at the 1000 Miglia, in which it competed in 2012, 2019 and 2022. Its current owner acquired it in England in 2022, after the car had undergone a period-correct restoration, respecting its original colour scheme and taking care to preserve the delightfully weathered green leather upholstery. Unusually, 4884 is still fitted with its original engine, as well as the preselective gearbox, which the previous owner had serviced by a specialist in England. In perfect working order, the engine has been fitted with an additional fan and an electric fuel pump. This is a sports car suitable for racing thanks to its excellent performance for its class; furthermore, it is objectively very aesthetically pleasing, authentic, extremely rare and still features its original mechanical components; as such, it is eligible for the biggest international races and rallies, starting with the 1000 Miglia, the 2027 edition of which will mark its centenary. Make up your mind quickly and make history behind the wheel! French title Chassis No. S26S 4884 Engine No. SS 4884   - One of 55 cars built - Racing history - Original mechanical components and bodywork - Eligible for the centenary of the Mille Miglia in 2027!    1936 Riley Sprite ‘The Blacky’ The Sprite was undoubtedly the best sports car in Riley’s range in the mid-1930s, as its success in competition confirmed. It had a low-slung chassis, developed from the MPH, and was powered by a lively 1.5-litre engine, mated to a pre-selector gearbox, as on this example, or a manual gearbox. The chassis was fitted with a superb streamlined two-seater roadster body, featuring a distinctive radiator grille shaped like a fencing mask. Only 55 cars were built and their performance often saw them entered in competition, with the result that genuine survivors are extremely rare today. Chassis no. 4884 is one of them. After leaving the factory in July 1936 with its handsome black bodywork and a green interior, it was registered as DFC 789 and spent much of its life in England. Like many of its counterparts, this Sprite took part in numerous competitive events, including appearances at Silverstone in the 1940s and various hill climbs. Its colour earned it the trackside nickname ‘The Blacky’. More recently, in 1982, DFC 789 competed in the 50th RAC Rally, and in 1987 it took part in the Norwich Union Classic event at Silverstone, with rally driver Ian Hall at the wheel. Naturally, it was a welcome entrant at the Mille Miglia, in which it took part in 2012, 2019 and 2022. Its current owner purchased the car in England in 2022, following an earlier restoration carried out in its original colours, with particular care taken to preserve its charmingly weathered green leather upholstery. Remarkably, 4884 still has its original engine, as well as the pre-selector gearbox, which the car’s previous owner had overhauled by an English specialist. Perfectly tuned and running like clockwork, its engine has been fitted with an auxiliary fan and an electric fuel pump. Here we have a sports car that is competition-ready thanks to its excellent performance for its class; it is also, by any objective measure, very attractive, authentic, extremely rare and still fitted with its original engine, making it eligible for the most prestigious international rallies and events, starting with the Mille Miglia, which will celebrate its centenary in 2027. Make up your mind quickly and take your place in history at the wheel!   Photos © Mattia Bortoluzzi 1936 Riley Sprite ‘The Blacky’ Manufacturer: 1936 Riley Sprite ‘The Blacky’ Vehicle registration document: French title Chassis No.: Chassis No. S26S 4884 Engine No.: SS 4884 - One of 55 cars built - Racing history - Original mechanical components and bodywork - Eligible for the centenary of the Mille Miglia in 2027! The Sprite was undoubtedly the best sports car in Riley’s range in the mid-1930s, as its success in competition confirmed. It had a low-slung chassis, developed from the MPH, and was powered by a lively 1.5-litre engine, mated to a pre-selector gearbox, as on this example, or a manual gearbox. The chassis was fitted with a superb, streamlined two-seater roadster body, featuring a distinctive radiator grille shaped like a fencing mask. Only 55 cars were built, and their performance often saw them entered in competitions, with the result that genuine surviving examples are extremely rare today. Chassis no. 4884 is one of them. After leaving the factory in July 1936 with its handsome black bodywork and a green interior, it was registered as DFC 789 and spent much of its life in England. Like many of its counterparts, this Sprite took part in numerous competitive events, including appearances at Silverstone in the 1940s and various hill climbs. Its colour earned it the trackside nickname ‘The Blacky’. More recently, in 1982, DFC 789 competed in the 50th RAC Rally, and in 1987 it took part in the Norwich Union Classic event at Silverstone, with rally driver Ian Hall at the wheel. Naturally, it was a welcome entrant at the Mille Miglia, in which it took part in 2012, 2019 and 2022. Its current owner purchased the car in England in 2022, following an earlier restoration carried out in its original colours, with particular care taken to preserve its charmingly weathered green leather upholstery. Remarkably, 4884 still has its original engine, as well as the pre-selector gearbox, which the car’s previous owner had overhauled by an English specialist. Perfectly tuned and running like clockwork, its engine has been fitted with an auxiliary fan and an electric fuel pump. Here we have a sports car that is competition-ready thanks to its excellent performance for its class; it is also, by any objective measure, very attractive, authentic, extremely rare and still fitted with its original engine, making it eligible for the most prestigious international rallies and events, starting with the Mille Miglia, which will celebrate its centenary in 2027. Make up your mind quickly and take your place in history at the wheel!   Photos © Mattia Bortoluzzi
See original version (French)
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About the sale Cars on the Champs
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Auction time 10/25/2026 at 4:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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