Description
Date of Registration: 10/ 07/ 1935
This lovely Riley replica Sprite was commissioned by Ivor Halbert to complement his collection of original Riley cars which had become increasingly expensive to use.
Ivor Halbert was born in1916 and at age 16 began his apprenticeship at Llewellyn Gears. After the war he worked for the Bristol Aeroplane Company and by the early 50`s had his own engineering company employing 75 staff. His clients included the Admiralty, Concorde and Rolls Royce such was his engineering excellence. His abiding passion was the Riley marque and he acquired a mouth watering collection, only for sale upon his death at the age of 92.
This recreation of his original Riley Sprite is a lovely driving machine with it`s powerful 12/ 4 engine with 4 branch manifold and correct twin 1 ¼ SU`s. Rather than the preselect gearbox this car is fitted with a later 4 speed manual gearbox which in our opinion adds to the driving experience and makes it very easy to drive. This apart, it is extremely difficult to differentiate this car from the now very rare original Sprite.
The car has a complete array of correct instruments and is finished in black coachwork with red leather upholstery.
A lovely car suitable for an array of events and priced competitively.
