1934 Riley 9hp Ulster Imp Sports
Competition bred this extraordinarily rare British sports car, with only a handful ever produced for racing events including Le Mans and the Ards TT.
Riley developed the Ulster Imp as a specialized racing variant of their successful Imp model, featuring a distinctive doorless lightweight body with boat-tail styling that was shorter than the earlier Brooklands racer but maintained aggressive proportions.
The flowing bodywork featured a long hood, sweeping fenders, and abbreviated tail section that created one of the most attractive small sports cars of the 1930s.
Built on a compact 7-foot 6-inch wheelbase chassis that swept upwards over the front axle and was under-slung at the rear, the design prioritized both performance and visual appeal.
Power came from Riley’s proven 1,087cc (66 cubic inch) inline four-cylinder engine fitted with twin SU carburetors and an optional Scintilla magneto. This powerplant had already demonstrated exceptional competition potential through earlier Brooklands successes, providing strong performance for its lightweight construction. Factory output was rated at 50 horsepower.
The Ulster Imp’s limited production run (approximately 75 built between 1934 and 1935) and racing pedigree make surviving examples highly coveted among collectors today, representing a significant piece of British motorsport heritage from the pre-war period.
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