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71 - 1936 Riley Sprite “The Blacky”

Estimation 200 000 € - 300 000 €

Description

1936 Riley Sprite “The Blacky” Constructeur : 1936 Riley Sprite “The Blacky” Carte Grise : Carte grise française N° Chassis : Châssis n° S26S 4884 Moteur n° SS 4884 - Un des 55 exemplaires produits - Historique en course - Mécanique et carrosserie d’origine - Eligible au centenaire des 1000 Miglia en 2027! La Sprite était assurément la meilleure voiture de sport de la gamme Riley au milieu des années 30 et ses succès en course le confirment. Son châssis surbaissé, dérivé de la MPH, recevait un brillant moteur 1.5L associé à une boîte de vitesses pré-sélective, comme sur notre exemplaire, ou bien manuelle. L’ensemble était habillé d’une superbe carrosserie roadster 2 places profilée qui se distinguait par une calandre en forme de masque d’escrimeur. Seuls 55 exemplaires furent produits et leurs performances les entrainèrent bien souvent en compétition, si bien que les exemplaires survivants et authentiques sont aujourd’hui rarissimes. Le châssis 4884 est l’un d’eux. Sorti d’usine en juillet 1936 avec sa belle carrosserie noire, associée à un intérieur vert, il fut immatriculé DFC 789 et a passé une grande partie de sa vie en Angleterre. Comme nombre de ses paires, cette Sprite a pris part à de nombreuses compétitions y compris dans les années 40 à Silverstone, et en course de côte. Sa couleur lui vaut le surnom de « The Blacky » au bord des pistes. Plus récemment, en 1982, DFC 789 prend part au 50e Rallye du RAC, puis en 1987, participe aux mains du pilote Ian Hall à la Norwich Union Classic qui s’est déroulée sur le circuit de Silverstone. Elle évidemment accueillie à bras ouvert aux 1000 Miglia auxquelles elle a participé en 2012, 2019 et 2022. Son actuel propriétaire en a fait l’acquisition en Angleterre, en 2022, alors que la voiture avait bénéficié d’une restauration ancienne, dans le respect de ses coloris d’origine et prenant soin de préserver la sellerie en cuir vert délicieusement patinée. Fait rare, 4884 est toujours équipée de son moteur d’origine, ainsi que de la boîte pré-sélective que le précédent propriétaire avait fait réviser chez un spécialiste anglais. Parfaitement au point, sa mécanique a été équipée d’un ventilateur additionnel et d’une pompe à essence électrique. Nous sommes ici en présence d’une automobile de sport utilisable en course grâce à d’excellentes performances pour sa catégorie, à cela s’ajoute qu’elle est objectivement très réussie esthétiquement, qu’elle est authentique, rarissime et dispose toujours de sa mécanique d’origine, et qu’à ce titre, elle est éligible au sein des plus grandes épreuves et rallyes internationaux, à commencer par les 1000 Miglia dont l’édition 2027 fêtera le centenaire. Décidez-vous vite et entrez dans l’histoire à son volant ! 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, married to a pre-selector gearbox, as on this example, or a manual ‘box. The chassis was fitted with a superb streamlined two-seat 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 peers, 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, then in 1987, it took part in the Norwich Union Classic event at Silverstone, with the 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 bought the car in England in 2022, after it had undergone an older restoration in its original colours and with care taken to preserve its charmingly patinated green leather upholstery. Exceptionally, 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 sorted and on the button, its engine has been fitted with an auxiliary fan and an electric fuel pump. Here we have a sports car that can be used in competition thanks to its excellent performance for its class, that is also very good-looking by any objective measure, authentic, extremely rare and still fitted with its original engine, therefore making it eligible for the most prestigious international rallies and events, starting with the Mille Miglia, which will celebrate its centenary in 2027. Make your mind up quickly and take your place in history at its wheel! Photos © Mattia Bortoluzzi 1936 Riley Sprite ‘The Blacky’ Constructeur : 1936 Riley Sprite ‘The Blacky’ Carte Grise : French title N° Chassis : 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, married to a pre-selector gearbox, as on this example, or a manual ‘box. The chassis was fitted with a superb streamlined two-seat 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 peers, 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, then in 1987, it took part in the Norwich Union Classic event at Silverstone, with the 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 bought the car in England in 2022, after it had undergone an older restoration in its original colours and with care taken to preserve its charmingly patinated green leather upholstery. Exceptionally, 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 sorted and on the button, its engine has been fitted with an auxiliary fan and an electric fuel pump. Here we have a sports car that can be used in competition thanks to its excellent performance for its class, that is also very good-looking by any objective measure, authentic, extremely rare and still fitted with its original engine, therefore making it eligible for the most prestigious international rallies and events, starting with the Mille Miglia, which will celebrate its centenary in 2027. Make your mind up quickly and take your place in history at its wheel! Photos © Mattia Bortoluzzi

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Date 25/10/2026 à 16h00

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