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!

 

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