Wanted - Riley Imp Information

Sir,

Through your columns, may I ask help from any readers who may be able to assist me. I am compiling a register of Riley Imps. As well as discovering their survival rate and whereabouts, I am beginning to build up some detail on their technical characteristics and history although much of the latter is very piecemeal. I would welcome any information from readers who have memories of experiences with these cars, especially in competitive events. Loaned photographs would be returned, etc.

At present I have a list of 75 chassis numbers, with other associated data, and a further 25 cars with only registration numbers or other tips and notes. With dates when some were last heard of, they are as follows:

APU 200 (1936), 400 MPA (1964), AUO 347 (1959), BLL 170 (Bira’s car), BRA 763 (1973), BTV 466 (1973), BUW 904 (1959), BXO 31 (1943), CME 412 (1950’s), CXU 89 (1961), DND 162 (1973), FM 8943 (1936), FMC 726, GX 731, OW 5506 (1936), 892 RMC, UJ 4028, Z 2178, WS 2374 (1962), BOL 734 / SNM 517 (1962), CLD 597 (sold in Italy in 1960’s), and finally, a car that belonged to Francis Bean and was bought by Mike Hawthorne’s father.
Redditch, Worcs.
JOHN GATHERCOLE
[Letters can be forwarded. — Ed