1935 Riley 9hp Imp Two Seater
- Engine
- 1,134cc OHV inline-four, twin SU carburetors, 55 bhp (uprated from standard 42 bhp)
- Colour
- Deep red
A 1935 Riley 9hp Imp two-seater, chassis 6027683, finished in deep red and carrying a documented ownership chain from new. One of the most visually distinctive small British sports cars of the pre-war period, the Imp's flowing coachwork and twin-carburettor specification reflected engineering ambitions well beyond its economy-car origins. This example passed through numerous British owners, including noted historic-car collector Julian Majzub and the Pilkington/Totnes Motor Museum, before crossing to the United States around 2016. A near-$100,000 programme of mechanical work by specialist workshops culminated in a full engine overhaul in 2020, with the unit now producing 55bhp on the dyno, and a gearbox restoration completed in 2025.
Ownership
- 2025-10-03Auction saleEstimate US$140,000 – US$180,000
- 1935-09-20 →Factory deliveryHarry Rosefull documentation
First registered owner, based in Hendon Central, North London. Period logbook documents his registration of the vehicle.
- → 1977Acquisition unknownMultiple UK owners, East Anglia to Somersetpartial documentation
Car moved through several owners in eastern and southwestern England during the 1960s and into the mid-1970s, each keeping it in regular road use.
- 1977 →Acquisition unknownJulian Majzubpartial documentation
Described as a notable historic-car racer and collector who acquired the Riley in 1977.
- 2010 →Acquisition unknownUnidentified private collectorpartial documentation
Acquired the car in 2010 and subsequently brought it to North America; described as part of a prominent private collection from which it was consigned to Bonhams in 2016.
- 2016 →AuctionCurrent consignorfull documentation
Purchased at the 2016 Bonhams sale. Spent approximately $100,000 on mechanical refurbishment between 2016 and 2025, including engine rebuild, chassis and brake servicing, and gearbox restoration.
- Date unknownSeries of unidentified early ownerspartial documentation
The car changed hands at least four times within roughly two years of first registration, all prior to John Green's ownership.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJohn Greenpartial documentation
London-based owner, address on Harley Street. Recalled his ownership fondly when contacted in the mid-1990s at age 87; wartime photos of the car from his RAF posting at Kirton in Lindsey survive in the history file. Parted with the car shortly after the war to accommodate a growing family.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMultiple UK owners, Southeast to Midlands and Yorkshirepartial documentation
Six consecutive logbooks document a succession of owners tracking the car's movement northward through England. A color change and engine swap are noted around 1955; the current red livery and present engine number were established around 1964.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPilkington/Totnes Motor Museumpartial documentation
Noted British collection that held the car after Majzub's ownership.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1955Maintenance
Car underwent what is believed to be its first refurbishment, with a change of body colour recorded and the original engine replaced by another unit of the same series.
Noted in period logbook records; original engine removed at this point.
- 1964Bodywork
Car was repainted to the deep red colour it still carries today; around the same time the 9hp engine number 47252 currently fitted was installed.
Both the colour change and engine fitment are documented in the logbook chain.
- 2020Engine rebuildMarcovicci-Wenz Engineering
Complete engine overhaul costing $37,700, including installation of a new Moldex billet crankshaft, Carello connecting rods, and Arias pistons, along with extensive machining. The original Scintilla Vertex magneto was separately rebuilt. Post-rebuild dyno testing confirmed output of 55bhp, up from the standard 42bhp; capacity also increased slightly from 1,087cc to 1,134cc.
Work carried out at Marcovicci-Wenz Engineering of Ronkonkoma, New York. Magneto rebuilt by Peter Marcovici. Dyno sheets retained on file.
- 2025MechanicalLeydon Restorations
Pre-selector transmission fully restored at a cost of $5,285.
Work completed by David King of Leydon Restorations; receipt on file.
- —MechanicalGrays Engineering & Motorsport
Comprehensive service of the chassis, axles, and braking system carried out as part of the consignor's post-2016 refurbishment programme.
Performed between 2016 and 2023; part of a broader programme totalling nearly $100,000 in receipted work.
- —MechanicalGMT Racing
Pre-selector gearbox serviced, including replacement of the friction bands.
Carried out at GMT Racing of Newtown, Connecticut, as part of the 2016–2023 work programme.
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