Riley Racing Six 1933 1935

Riley started in 1890 as Riley Cycles Company Limited producing bicycles and later wire spoked wheels for automobiles.

Riley's founder William Riley remained resolutely opposed to diverting the resources of his bicycle business into motor cars, and in 1902 three of his sons, Victor, Percy and younger brother Allan Riley pooled resources, borrowed a necessary balancing amount from their mother and in 1903 established the separate Riley Engine Company, also in Coventry.

In early 1913, Percy was joined by three of his brothers (Victor, Stanley, and Allan) to focus on manufacturing entire automobiles. The works was located near Percy's Riley Engine Company. The first new model, the 17/30, was introduced at the London Motor Show that year.

Riley grew rapidly through the 1920s and 1930s. The Riley Engine Company produced 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder engines, while Midland built more than a dozen different bodies. Riley models at this time included saloon, sports cars, like the Brooklands, Imp, MPH or Sprite, and tourers or limousines.

Several Riley sports cars were entered in automobile racing events. In 1933, three Riley were entered at Le Mans 24 Hours. They wre Riley Nine Brooklands with 1091 cc four cylinder engine. One Riley driven by Kenneth Peacock and Bill van der Becker finished fourth overall where only 13 cars finished over 42 on the entry list.

In 1934, six Riley were entered at Le Mans endurance race , 2 Riley Racing MPH with 1458 cc six cylinder engine, 3 Riley Imp with 1087 cc four cylinder engine. At the finishing line , the Riley MPH were second and third position, and one Riley Nine Brooklands in fifth position,  the Riley Imp in sixth, twelfth, thirteenth position.

In 1935, again six Riley were entered at Le Mans, two Riley MPH 12/4 with 1496 cc four cylinder engines, four Riley MPH with 1458 cc six cylinder engine. One Riley MPH four cylinder finished in fourth position, one MPH 6 cylinder was seventh.

Source-Riley Motors Wikipedia and Le Mans 1930-39 Quentin Spurring 2017