Description
1936 Riley 12/ 4 Lynx Sprite
Date of first registration: 31/ 07/ 1936
Registration: VJ 9040
Chassis Number: SS26L4218
An opportunity to acquire a genuine, early factory ‘Sprite’ version of the popular Lynx tourer.
Sprite versions were offered on a number of Riley models and featured higher specification and most importantly an uprated 12/ 4 engine giving more performance. Nowadays many surviving standard 12/ 4 cars have had Sprite specification engines fitted to give better modern road performance. Original Sprite specification cars can be identified by an ‘SS’ prefix on their chassis number as oppose to an ‘S’ prefix.
This genuine Lynx Sprite, chassis number SS26L4218, was first registered on the 31/ 07/ 1936. The owner previous to the current had owned the car for 27 years and in that time had it fully bare metal resprayed and also rebuilt the engine with high compression pistons and shell bearings. A 4. 77:1 rear diff is also fitted giving the car a higher top speed and cruise. Photos on file show the respray in progress and a folder of older invoices show previous work carried out.
The car presents very well with the blue over black paintwork in excellent condition. The turquoise leather interior is also in good supple condition and free of tears on the seats. Full weather equipment is included consisting of a split front/ rear tonneau, hood and 4 piece sidescreen set with hood bag for when folded.
The car drives well with excellent pulling and hill performance offered by the uprated engine and light bodywork. The higher diff and full weather equipment make this a very capable long distance/ continental touring car with a generous sized boot for extra luggage.
