A rare chance to own a fine piece of 1930s Motorsport History.
This description will be a shortened summary of this vehicle’s vast history and journey to the present day. Fortunately for the next custodian, a 43-page book exists with the car to rule out the finer details.
This genuine Riley Ulster Imp has an outstanding history, having been campaigned successfully over many years. Of the 16 examples built by Riley’s Competition Department, only 9 are known to exist. These cars do not appear on the open market frequently, and with the quality in which this example lies, this opportunity is not to be missed.
The car was first campaigned in Northern Ireland in 1934 before being exported to South Africa in 1936 and acquired by Buller Meyer. The car subsequently had 5 owners until being purchased by the current owner and returned to the UK in 2008.
ADU 303, chassis number 6025036, has been driven competitively both pre-war and post-war including the following:
1934 RAC Trophy (ARDS) – Northern Ireland
1936 Kimberley 100 – South Africa – Position: 3rd
1937 South African Grand Prix – Position: 3rd
1937 Rand Grand Prix – Position: 2nd
1938 South African Grand Prix – Position: 4th
1938 Grosvenor Grand Prix – Position: 2nd
1939 South African Handicap – Position: 1st
1949 Coup-de-Governardo General
1949 St John Crusader 100 – Position 2nd
1950 The Rand Trophy
1950 The Empire Day Handicap
1988 19th Milligan Vintage Trial
1994 Border 100 Diamond Jubilee Race Meeting
1996 FIVA Centenary Rally – United Kingdom
After 72 years in South Africa, the Imp was purchased by the current vendor and returned to the UK in 2008. In 2009 the owner's brother used 'ADU 303' in events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Vintage Sports Car Cub's foundation and the introduction of the Riley Ulster Imp. The famous Kop Hill Climb was revived for 2009, and the Imp has been a regular attendee ever since. 'ADU 303' has continued to be used for events such as sprints and hill climbs with various guest drivers, culminating in the South African Historic Grand Prix Festival in November/December 2018 where it was reunited with members of the Meyer family. The Riley returned to the UK and was delivered to Bicester Heritage for display at the January 2019 Sunday Scramble before being driven home.
Now residing in our showroom, the Riley presents in a remarkable fashion, especially after having been campaigned continuously since its birth in 1934. The matching numbers engine was restored in 1985/6 in the same specification as the car was built in 1934 with all the unique original features such as the counterbalanced crank, triple plunger oil pump and water pump, and has the original compression ratio.
With spectacular presence and usability ADU 303 is a piece of motoring history that is a joy to drive and would stand out in any environment. This is an opportunity to fast-track your way through potential entry in so many classic motoring events throughout the world and is not worth missing out on.
If this motorsport masterpiece looks and sounds like the car for you, a trip to our showroom would be beneficial to all parties, our coffee pot is always hot.
