1935 Riley TT Sprite Recreation

The Riley TT Sprite

Percy Riley’s proven twin-camshaft layout was retained for the new Hugh Rose-designed 1½-litre four-cylinder engine, the 12/4, introduced in September 1934. The Falcon saloon debuted on the new 12hp chassis, which was also available with the familiar Kestrel saloon and Lynx tourer coachwork. In 1935, the range was augmented by the Sprite two-seater sports car.

In its TT guise, the new Sprite more than upheld Riley’s sporting traditions. Freddie Dixon famously drove the model to victory in the Ulster Tourist Trophy in both 1935 and 1936, while the cars also proved highly effective at Le Mans and enjoyed numerous privateer successes at Brooklands and elsewhere.

The TT Sprite’s MPH-based chassis was underslung at the rear and fitted as standard with Riley’s excellent four-speed manual gearbox, while the lightweight, purposeful pointed-tail body perfectly complemented its competition-focused character.

The Riley TT Sprite is arguably one of the greatest small-capacity British sports racing cars of the pre-War era. With its strong and highly tuneable four-cylinder engine, light and nimble chassis, excellent brakes and superb gearbox, these cars consistently punched above their weight when new, achieving numerous international race victories.

That competitive character remains evident today. TT Sprites continue to prove highly effective in Motor Racing Legends’ excellent Europe-wide pre-War sports car series, at the Le Mans Classic, in VSCC events and at many other historic racing venues.

‘BEL 243’ — The Recreation

Given the scarcity, legendary status and effectiveness of the original TT Sprite, a number of recreations have been built. Very few, however, can match the accuracy, quality of construction and competition specification of the car offered here.

Constructed by a family with a long-standing involvement in pre-war competition cars and an impressive record of success in historic racing, ‘BEL 243’ was built with the objective of creating an exceptionally accurate and competitive TT Sprite recreation.

The car began life as a 1935 Riley Kestrel saloon and passed through several owners, as documented by an original-style buff logbook on file showing a succession of owners dating back to 1959. The current owner acquired the car from Alan Chapman, by which time the original body was in extremely poor condition.

The decision was subsequently taken to rebuild the car as a TT Sprite, with work commencing in 2010. The vendor and his father, both accomplished motor engineers and fabricators, undertook the majority of the work themselves.

Particular attention was paid to authenticity, with a number of highly respected Riley specialists and craftsmen involved in the build:

•The chassis was constructed by renowned Riley collector and fabricator Nick Jarvis, who owned one of the original TT Sprites. The new chassis was copied precisely from the original competition car.

•Nick Jarvis also fabricated the wing stays and radiator shell.

•Specialist Ralph Wren supplied exact replica components based on the original competition Rileys, including the magnesium sump and magnesium differential casing.

•The front axle was rebuilt by our sister restoration business, IS Polson.

•The wings and tail section were hand-fabricated in aluminium by Shapecraft.

•The exhaust system was fabricated by Dave Tyler.

•New shock absorbers of the correct type were sourced.

•The original brake drums were machined to the correct period style.

•A new aluminium foam-filled fuel tank was fabricated specifically for motorsport use.

•The rear axle was rebuilt with a new crown wheel and pinion around a competition-type magnesium housing with all new bearings.

•New wheels and road springs were fitted.

•A correct TT Sprite type four-speed manual gearbox, supplied by Steve Hughes, was fitted and subsequently rebuilt in full.

•Brooklands Autocraft, Riley specialists, undertook a comprehensive engine and gearbox rebuild, together with further work to the chassis and running gear, completing the build.

The thoroughness of the restoration and reconstruction is supported by copious invoices and documentation on file.

Completion

‘BEL 243’ is now freshly completed and has covered only the miles required for rolling-road dynamometer testing and road testing.

The result is an exceptionally detailed and purpose-built TT Sprite recreation, combining period-correct specification with the engineering required for serious historic competition.

The car offers its next owner a competitive and relatively cost-effective route into Motor Racing Legends’ Pre-War Sports Car Series, with events throughout Europe, as well as the VSCC and numerous other road and race events in the UK and internationally.

An FIA Historic Technical Passport (HTP) has been applied for and will be supplied with the car by the time of sale.

With its extensive documented build history, competition specification, high-quality construction and freshly completed mechanical preparation, ‘BEL 243’ represents a rare opportunity to acquire a highly accurate recreation of one of Riley’s most celebrated and potent competition cars.